Carambola, (starfruit), raw
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
Carambola, or starfruit, is a tropical fruit with a waxy, yellow-green skin that, when sliced, reveals a perfect five-pointed star shape. Its crisp, juicy texture is reminiscent of a mix between a grape and an apple, with a bright, tangy flavor that balances sweet and sour notes. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie powerhouse, offering significant fiber and vitamin C with minimal fat.
Calorie split: 12% protein · 79% carbs · 9% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love starfruit for its stunning visual appeal, which instantly elevates any dish or drink. Its unique sweet-tart flavor and refreshing crunch make it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet applications, from salads to cocktails.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Individuals with kidney disease must avoid starfruit entirely, as it contains a neurotoxin that healthy kidneys can filter but damaged kidneys cannot, leading to severe neurological effects. For others, its oxalate content may be a concern for kidney stone susceptibility; pairing it with calcium-rich foods like yogurt or cheese can help bind oxalates in the gut.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of antioxidant vitamin C
- High in dietary fiber for digestive health
- Very low in calories and fat
- Contains potassium for heart health
- Provides small amounts of B-vitamins and magnesium
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The entire starfruit is edible, including the waxy skin and seeds, though the seeds can be slightly bitter.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 91.4 g |
| Energy | 31.0 kcal |
| Energy | 128 kj |
| Protein | 1.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.33 g |
| Ash | 0.52 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.08 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 12.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 133 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 2.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.12 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.14 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 34.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.37 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.39 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 12.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 12.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 7.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 3.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 25.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 24.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 61.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 66.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.15 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.02 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.16 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.04 g |
| Leucine | 0.08 g |
| Lysine | 0.08 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.04 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.04 g |
| Valine | 0.05 g |
| Arginine | 0.02 g |
| Histidine | 0.01 g |
| Alanine | 0.07 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.10 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.15 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.05 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
FAQ
How do I pick a ripe starfruit?
Choose fruits that are firm, glossy, and a vibrant yellow with slight green tinges at the ridges. Brown or soft spots indicate over-ripeness.
Do I need to peel it before eating?
No, the skin is thin, edible, and often left on for texture and visual appeal in sliced dishes. Simply wash it well.
What does it taste like?
The flavor is a refreshing blend of sweet and tart, often compared to a mix of green grape, apple, and citrus notes.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.31 kcal/g · 13% calories from protein · 2.8 g fiber · 4.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.