Vietnamese Starfruit: All You Need to Know About This Fruit

What is Vietnamese star fruit?

Overview

Vietnamese name: khế

Shape and appearance: Starfruit has a star-shaped cross-section when sliced, with smooth, shiny skin ranging from green to yellow. It is crisp and juicy with some seeds inside.

Flavor profile: Sweet with a hint of tanginess, and a refreshing, slightly citrusy taste.

How to enjoy it: Eat fresh, slice it into star shapes, or blend it into smoothies.

Harvest season: Available year-round, with peak season from late summer to late autumn.

Shape and color

Vietnamese starfruit, or khế, has a distinctive shape with a length ranging from 5 to 15 cm. When sliced crosswise, it reveals a star-like pattern, which is how it got its name. The fruit grows in clusters and starts green, turning yellow as it ripens. Inside, you’ll find small, brown seeds located in the center.

Starfruit trees typically reach a height of 3 to 6 meters and have lush, dense foliage with pretty clusters of purple flowers. They bear fruit year-round, adding a touch of vibrant color to gardens throughout the seasons.

The beauty of starfruit blossom

A starfruit tree in a Vietnamese home garden.

Taste and flavor

In Vietnam, there are two main types of starfruit: the sweet variety and the sour variety.

The sweet starfruit has a mild flavor with a hint of tartness. It is usually low in sugar content (around 4%), giving it a gentle, not overly sweet taste. When ripe, the sweet starfruit is juicy, with a crisp texture similar to grapes, and has a light, refreshing flavor.

On the other hand, the sour starfruit has a sharper, tangier taste, similar to that of green apples. When unripe, it is firm and has a distinct sourness. This type of starfruit is often used in cooking to add a zesty, tangy flavor to dishes.

How to eat the star fruit

To enjoy starfruit, follow these simple steps:

Wash the Fruit: Rinse the starfruit under cold water to remove any dirt or residues.

Slice the Fruit: Use a sharp knife to cut the starfruit crosswise into slices. Each slice will have a star shape.

Eat Fresh: You can eat the slices directly as a fresh snack. The skin is edible and has a mild flavor.

Remove Seeds (Optional): While the seeds are edible, you might prefer to remove them for a smoother eating experience.

Try in Recipes: Starfruit can also be used in salads, salsas, or as a garnish for various dishes.

How to choose a ripe starfruit

To select a ripe starfruit, look for one that is mostly yellow with a hint of light green. The skin should be slightly waxy, and the edges will have brown ridges. The fruit should feel firm to the touch.

Avoid starfruit that is overly yellow with brown spots, as this indicates that it may be overripe and could taste bland and have a soggier texture. Remember, if the starfruit is still slightly green, it can ripen at room temperature, but its sweetness won’t increase.

Starfruit in Vietnamese cuisine

The Vietnamese starfruit soup with beef, or ‘Canh Khế Thịt Bò,’ offers a tangy and savory flavor profile. The starfruit brings a refreshing tartness that complements the rich taste of tender beef. This combination is elevated by the fragrant aroma of green onions and shallots, along with the depth added by traditional Vietnamese seasonings like fish sauce and black pepper. The result is a harmonious balance of tangy, savory, and aromatic elements that is both comforting and invigorating.

A Vietnamese folktale about starfruit

Illustration of the Vietnamese starfruit folktale from a school textbook (Source: voh.com.vn)

In the Vietnamese folktale “The Starfruit Tree,” two brothers inherit their family’s estate after their parents pass away. The elder brother, who is lazy and selfish, convinces the younger brother to take only a small run-down hut and a starfruit tree while he keeps the larger portion of their inheritance. The younger brother and his wife work tirelessly, cultivating their land and taking care of the starfruit tree, which grows lush and bears many fruits.

One day, a giant bird arrives and starts eating the ripe starfruits. The couple, relying on the fruits for their livelihood, kindly ask the bird to stop. To their surprise, the bird speaks, promising to repay them with gold if they sew a small bag. Following the bird’s instructions, the younger brother makes a bag measuring exactly three hand spans and waits. The bird returns, carrying the younger brother on its back to a faraway island filled with precious gems and gold. He takes only enough gold to fill his small bag and returns home, now able to live comfortably but modestly.

When the elder brother learns of this, his jealousy is sparked. He convinces his younger brother to trade their small hut and the starfruit tree for his larger estate. The greedy elder brother and his wife eagerly wait for the bird. When the bird arrives and repeats the same offer, the elder brother sews a much larger bag, three times the size of the one his brother had made.

The bird, unaware of the deception, takes the elder brother to the treasure island. Greed takes over, and he stuffs the bag with as much gold and gems as he can carry, even filling his clothes. The bird struggles to fly back because of the heavy load, and eventually, over the ocean, it can no longer carry the weight. The elder brother is thrown into the sea, where he drowns, weighed down by his greed.

The story teaches a timeless lesson: those who are humble, honest, and hardworking will find true prosperity, while greed and selfishness ultimately lead to downfall.

Vietnamese Starfruit Quiz

Ready to test your knowledge about Vietnamese starfruit? Scroll down to take the quiz now and see how you score!

1. Starfruit is native to South America.

True

False

None

2. The starfruit tree can bear fruit all year round in tropical climates like Vietnam.

True

False

None

3. You can eat the skin of a starfruit.

True

False

None

4. Starfruit contains a high amount of Vitamin C.

True

False

None

5. Starfruit is a type of citrus fruit.

True

False

None

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