 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Star Apple
Star apple is native to the West Indies. The fruits are borne in great numbers on a very large, attractive tree. The underside of the star apple leaf is a bronze colour, which makes the tree ideal for landscaping. The fruit is popular with the Asian market and in Vietnam it is sometimes called Mother’s Milk because of the white juice produced when the fruit is compressed and rolled. Characteristics Star apples are round and between 4 cm and 8 cm in diameter. All star apple fruit is green skinned when immature. The Haitian variety develops a deep purple skin colour when ripe, while the Grimal variety develops a light golden-green skin. The Haitian variety has purple flesh that is eye-catching when used in desserts. All varieties exhibit a definite star pattern when cut open horizontally, hence the common name. Fruits may have up to ten flattened seeds. Taste The flesh is sweet, very smooth and aromatic. Buying and Storing Look for smooth, bright, shiny fruit with no skin damage. Star apples can be stored at room temperature for up to a week and in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The pulp can also be frozen. Blended pulp will set like jelly when stored in the refrigerator. Preparing and Serving The star apple’s skin and rind are inedible. When opening a star apple, do not allow any of the bitter latex of the skin to contact the fruit’s edible flesh. Ripe fruit, preferably chilled, may be cut in half and the flesh spooned out leaving only the seed cells and core. Star apples make a pleasant drink when mixed with orange and are excellent in milkshakes. Availability August to November. Varieties Purple, Haitian, Green, Grimal, Philippine Gold. Acknowledgement The information about avocados is mainly sourced from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland publication Tropical Tastes - Fruits, Foods and Flavours of North Queensland and is reproduced with due acknowledgement and authority.
[Top] |
|||||||||||||||
