The carambola or star fruit is often used for decoration at buffets or in cocktails. The names “star fruit” or “five-corner” refer to the star-shaped cross-section of the fruit. It tastes predominantly sour, hardly sweet, somewhat watery and its aroma is less reminiscent of a fruit than of lettuce or cucumber. The cramabole is one of only 2 species in the genus Averrhoa. These are also the only species in the family Oxalidaceae that grow as trees, while most other species are herbaceous.

Kidney patients must absolutely avoid starfruit. The caramboxin it containscan cause death without dialysis. Even healthy people should not eat too much star fruit, as it has a high oxalic acid content.

• Edible fruits
• Type of fruit berry
• Culinary Group tropical fruits
• Taste sour
• Trivial Names Karambole, Karambola, Carambola, star fruit, five-corner, carambolier, pomme de Goa, carambolo, averrhoa estrella, carambolera, torombolo, chiramelo, miramelo, Fruta China, tamarindo chino, tamarindo culí, starambolo, fruta de estrella
• Size 7 cm
• Taxonomy Oxalidaceae Averrhoa carambola
• Origin Farther India (Map)
• Locality Wissenschaftsgarten Frankfurt (FRG) 2021