It’s not just oranges that grow in Florida. Carambola, or star fruit as most in the United States call it, is gaining popularity.
It’s not just oranges that grow in Florida. Carambola, or star fruit as most in the United States call it, is gaining popularity. One researcher from Florida International University is researching how cover crops can help the sustainability of star fruit farms.
“Tropical fruit production has become a prominent practice in Miami-Dade County,” says Ariel Freidenreich. “For this reason, it is vital that sustainable farming practices are applied to these systems to ensure healthy soils and economically viable fruit production.”
“Star fruit are a great snack while working in the sun because they are juicy and sweet,” says Freidenreich. “The Arkin variety is the most popular and widely planted in south Florida. Some growers are now expanding to sweeter and juicier varieties from Hawaii and other areas. They go great with salads and are used for juicing. There is even a winery that makes a delicious star fruit wine (tangy and not too sweet). While these fruits are not very popular in American culture, they are popular in Asian and Hispanic cultures, which are very prominent in south Florida.”
Besides being tasty, there’s another reason for finding a variety of crops that grow well in Florida.
Read more at American Society of Agronomy
Image: Carambola fruit is commonly called star fruit in the United States. When cut in a cross-section, the slices often look like stars. The entire fruit is edible. Credit: Ariel Freidenreich (Credit: Ariel Friedenreich)
