I never thought that this plant can be grown in the terrace garden. Then I came to know that some people are growing this plant in pot successfully. I forgot that. But after a few months, a local shopkeeper showed a small plant and told me that it would produce fruits throughout the year. I got it for Rs 60. It was not expensive. I planted that in a plastic container. Surprisingly within a year, I got a few fruits from that plant. Yes, I am talking about the carambola plant. Did you ever see any? If not then I know you have atleast tasted these fruits. You definitely bought a few such fruits from the market. It is known in different names in different local languages. It is known kamranga in Bengali and carambola in Hindi. But do you know what is called carambola in English? It is very interesting.
What is called this fruit carambola in English?
It is known as starfruit in English. If you cut thin slices of this fruit then you will have star-shaped pieces. Each piece will look like a greenish-yellow coloured star. That is why it is known as starfruit.
What is starfruit?
The scientific name of this fruit tree is Averrhoa carambola. It is native to South East Asia. But nowadays, it is a common fruit tree in the Indian subcontinent. During the season this tree can produce hundreds of fruits. If it is a healthy matured tree then you may get thousands of fruits from a single tree. Yes, it is such a massive producer. I won’t believe if you would not see such a tree in our locality. Even when I planted one small plant in a container then also it gives 20-30 fruits at a time. As it is not a local variety. You can produce fruits 2 or 3 times a year. The nursery owner told me it is Thai variety. I do not know it was correct or not because nowadays if a tree produces fruits multiple times in a season then people say it is a Thai variety. People trust when somebody said it is Thai variety.
English & Hindi names
- Vegetables – muli, arbi, petha, karela, tori
- Different types of kochu; Millets in Hindi
- Spices – javitri, ilaichi, kalonji, radhuni, hing, posto dana, methi
- Various types of Indian dal
Health benefits of starfruits
As I always said every edible fruit & vegetable has a certain nutritional value. So I hardly bother to know the nutrition values of vegetables or fruits unless I am ill and the doctor says to avoid something. That is why I eat every possible edible thing that I want. But still, as it is said that it contains some toxic elements that may cause further health issues for people with kidney problems. It also contains a significant amount of vitamin C. I think everybody knows the importance of vitamin c during this pandemic situation. Most people also know that any sour fruit & vegetables contain Vitamin C.
Usage of starfruits
It is a fruit, so you can eat it raw. You do not need to cook it. Still, many people love to make an awesome fruit salad with this fruit. People often use it to make sweet & sour curry with this fruit. Though I do not prefer it. I love to chop starfruit (Carambola in English) and make thin slices and have it with simple salt and spicy salt.
Leave a Reply