The Purple Star Apple is a close relative of the Abiu, this spectacular ornamental tree has large green leaves with a vibrant golden underside. The round purple star apple fruits display a beautiful central star design when sliced open. The semi-translucent flesh is soft, sweet and juicy.
The star apple is also known as Caimito and is native to the West Indies where it is a very popular fruit which is now grown in Innisfail and the Cassowary Coast Region in Far North Queensland.
The Purple Star Apple can be purple or green skinned. The scientific name is Chrysophyllum cainito and is a tropical evergreen tree family to the Sapotaceae.
Eating Purple Star Apple
When cut in half there is an attractive star pattern. The flesh is sweet and tastes very smooth and aromatic. A very attractive tropical tree, leaves green above and gold underneath. Not suitable for temperate climates.
Nutritional value of the Purple Star Apple
The star apple is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Consuming 100 gram of star apple offers 14.65 g of Carbohydrate, 9.1 mg of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), 1.137 mg of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), 0.49 mg of Iron,1.92 g of Total dietary Fiber, 0.049 mg of Vitamin B1, 1.52 g of Protein, 0.038 mg of Vitamin B2 and 18.95 mg Phosphorus.
Moreover many Amino acids 0.004 g of Tryptophan, 0.022 g of Lysine and 0.002 g of Methionine are also found in 100 gram of Star apple.
Health benefits of Star Apple
An Apple star offers 5 percent of the daily recommended values of important vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin A. It is a wonderful source of calcium, providing you with 10 percent of the daily recommended value of the mineral. The consumption of calcium-rich foods, such as star apple, helps strengthen bones and teeth and also reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as abdominal bloating and cramps. Apple star is rich in phosphorus, another mineral bone healthy. So now check out few health benefits of Apple Star for Health.
As with the abiu (another exotic tropical fruit grown in the Cassowary Coast), the? purple star apple is rarely seen for sale at supermarkets.
Purple star apples are gaining more popularity as more and more locals and visitors experience this exotic fruit and enjoy eating it.
