If you’re looking for exotic fruits to eat, then you must try the delectably divine star fruit!
Star fruit is truly an incredible fruit that you can eat as is or add into an array of dishes and drinks. With that said, it isn’t readily available in the US, which is why not many people know about this delicious fruit.
So, if you’re anything like me and have this inexplicable need to try every fruit out there and learn what it tastes like, then you’re surely in for a treat.
Read on to find out the answer to the most common question, “What does star fruit taste like?”

What Is Star Fruit?
Star fruit, also known as Carambola, is a greenish-yellow (unripe fruit) or bright yellow (ripened fruit), oval-shaped fruit with ridges. It looks like a star when it is sliced, hence the unique name.
It is native to Indonesia and thrives in sunny, humid climates. Even though you can find star fruit all year round, it is harvested twice a year – once in late spring and then in late fall.
You can eat the entire fruit, including the waxy skin and hard seeds.
What Does Star Fruit Taste Like?
So, what does star fruit taste like? The flavor of star fruit is quite unique and complex. Unripe star fruit has a tart taste with a sour undertone, which is somewhat similar to the taste of green apples.
Ripe star fruit, on the other hand, has a sweet flavor with a slightly sour undertone.
The start fruit flavor has been compared to the flavor of citrus fruits, grapes, ripe pear, green apples, and grapefruit.
However, there’s more complexity to the flavor; it has a sharp yet pleasant acidity, which is akin to the taste of pineapples. There’s also a hint of a floral essence to the taste of star fruit.

How to Eat Star Fruit
When it comes to eating star fruit, there are numerous ways in which you can try it. You can eat star fruit as is or add it to various dishes. You can eat it in a fruit or vegetable salad or a green salad.
You can also layer it on top of tarts, pavlova, and cakes. Additionally, start fruit can also be added to sangria to give it a flavorful boost.
The shape of the star fruit makes it a perfect decorative yet edible addition to snack or cheese platters.
Star fruit can also be used in combination with spices such as cloves and sugar to make a stew for savory seafood dishes.
You can also cook it as a side dish, pickle it, or turn it into a chutney or relish. You can also dry the fruit and eat it as a snack.
Once you remove the seeds, you can even use ripe star fruit in juices and smoothies.
Check out these articles:
- What Is A Fig? Everything You Need To Know About It
- What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? All You Need To Know About Them
- What Does Passion Fruit Taste Like? Everything You Need To Know About It
- What Does Lychee Taste Like? Everything You Need To Know About It
- Lychee Martini Recipe
How to Store Star Fruit
You can store star fruit on your countertop at room temperature. Just make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight. Depending on the ripeness of the fruit, star fruit will last for a few days.
Once the star fruit’s ridges have turned light brown, store it in your fridge for up to 4 days so that it doesn’t become overripe.
If the fruit develops brown spots, then it means that it has become overripe. It will have a fermented flavor.
You can also puree the star fruit or make its juice and keep that in the fridge for a few days or freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

How to Cut Star Fruit
It’s pretty easy to cut and slice star fruit. All you have to do is place the fruit on a cutting board and cut it just like you’d cut a peeled banana.
The one difference is that you don’t have to peel star fruit as its skin is edible. Remove both ends of the fruit with a sharp knife and cut the fruit across the ridges into slices.
The slices of the fruit are uniquely star-shaped, which explains the name of the fruit. The seeds of the fruit are edible as well, so you can either eat the seeds or remove them with the tip of a knife or your fingers.

Tips and Tricks
Here are some general tips and tricks to buy, handle, and cook star fruit:
- When buying star fruit, look for ones that are bright yellow or greenish-yellow in color, firm to the touch, and heavy for their size. These fruits will be the tastiest.
- If you want ripe star fruit, which you’ll eat within a day or two, then look for star fruit with light brown ridges.
- Make sure to choose star fruit that is free of blemishes and brown spots as the fruit with pots and blemishes is overripe and not fit to eat.
- If you plan on growing star fruit in your garden, then grow the small tree in pots and move it inside your home during colder months to avoid frost.
The bottom line
I hope this article has answered your question, “What does star fruit taste like?” Star fruit has a tart, sweet, or tart and sweet taste, depending on how ripe or unripe it is. It tastes somewhat similar to citrus fruits, green apples, pineapples, and pear.
It can be eaten raw or added into various dishes and drinks such as salads, seafood dishes, cakes, tarts, chutneys, sangria, and smoothies.
So, what are you waiting for? Go and try this incredible fruit!