Star Apple

STAR APPLE

The Star Apple (chrysophyllum cainito), is a member of the family sapotaceae. Sometimes it is referred to as caimito, or the fruit of the Golden Leaf tree.

The star apple originates from Central America. It grows today in areas such as the Caribbean, South and Central America. It prefers warm weather. The star apple comes into season in late winter, or early summer.

The star apple is a round or oval fruit, 2 to 4 inches in diameter with either red purple, dark purple, or pale green skin. The fruit looks and feels like a rubber ball. When cut in half, the fruit has a soft, white, milky sweet pulp. There are 6 to 11 gelatinous, somewhat rubbery see pods. Inside each seedpod, there may be a hard, black seed. The skin and rind of the star apple is inedible. It is best to scoop the flesh out.

The star apple fruit grows on a tall, 25 to 100 feet, tree that is nearly evergreen. The trunk is about 3 feet in diameter. The leaves of the tree are dark green, and the underside is brown and velvety. Latex can be made from the sap of the bark.

When ripe, the fruit will not fall off the tree, nor will the fruit ripen after picked. Star fruit is best enjoyed chilled. The flesh of the fruit has a mucilaginous character. Sometimes it is eaten to soothe the inflammation of laryngitis and pneumonia. In Jamaica, a drink called Matrimony is sometimes made. It is a combination of star apple, sour orange. Another drink made is called Strawberries and cream. It consists of sugar, nutmeg, orange juice, and star apple.

Star Apple Whip

4 Star apples

1/4 cup of sugar

3 oranges

1 cup of sweetened whipped cream

Scoop the pulp out of the Star Apple and the Oranges and remove the seeds. Mix with sugar in a blender. Add the cream and lightly mix. Serve in parfait glasses.

Cite me: Denlinger, J. (2013, April 11). Star Apple. Retrieved from: FloridaChef.net

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