Star Apple

Sustainability of Star Apple

Pesticides

Because they are relatively delicate, star apples are not commonly imported from other countries, although some Hispanic and Asian markets may occasionally carry imported fruit in the US. Pesticide and chemical use standards vary by country; to avoid toxic residue, wash the skin before slicing into the fruit.

Star apples are only grown on a limited scale in the US. Although many growers in the US fertilize their trees, they don’t suffer from many pest problems, so pesticide use is uncommon. If you’re buying the fruit locally, ask the vendor for information about how they were grown and whether pesticides were used.

Seasonality

The peak season for caimitos runs from the late winter through spring in most areas.

Geography

The fruit originated in the Caribbean, where it is still most popular, but likely spread across Central and South America before the arrival of European colonists. Today, the star apple is a common tree throughout South and Central America, as well as parts of tropical Asia, particularly in Singapore and the Philippines. In the US, it has been grown in South Florida since the early 1900s. It is also grown as a backyard tree in Hawai’i.

Eating Star Apple

Only the inside flesh of the star apple can be eaten, because the skin is filled with white, sticky latex that irritates the mouth and throat. To prepare a star apple, slice the fruit in half and scoop out the seeds in the center. After the seeds are removed, simply scoop out the inside flesh with a spoon. Some fruits may have more latex than others; you can avoid any residual latex in the flesh by chilling the fruit before eating.

Storing

Ripe fruits can be stored whole in the refrigerator for several days, but unripe fruits should be stored on the counter — if they are refrigerated before they are fully ripe, they won’t ever ripen fully.

Cooking

Star apple is sometimes used to top desserts and can be mixed into fruit salad. One Jamaican fruit salad is named matrimony for the way it marries the sweet flavors of star apple and citrus.

Preserving

While the fruit can be made into a jam, home cooks sometimes encounter difficulties with the latex in the fruit, which interferes with natural pectin.

Nutrition

The fruit has a moderate amount of Vitamin C, along with calcium and phosphorus. The fruit’s deep color is a product of its rich antioxidants, important nutrients found in blueberries and other fruits.

Top photo by suthisak/Adobe Stock.