Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Trees bear fruit within 2 years after planting. In Malaysia,
carambola is available year-round, with peak periods in
April-May, July-August, and November-December, while
in India, carambola is available in September-October and
in December-January. In south Florida, the harvest season
is generally from June-February, with peaks in fruit pro-
duction during August to October and December through
February. Wu et al. (1993) reported that three harvests per
year could be available in orchards with good care. The
annual production of carambola fruit can be high as 17 tons
per hectare. The annual fruit yield of carambola usually
ranges from 4.5-18 kg/tree in the 2nd to 3rd years, 45 to
68 kg/tree in the 5th to 6th years, and 112-160 kg/tree in
the 7th and 12th years (Campbell, 1989; Crane, 1993, 1994;
Nunez-Elisea and Crane, 1998).
Table 12.4.
Major carambola cultivars grown in
different counties/regions.
Major Cultivars
Growing Region
Arkin, Golden Star,
Newcomb, Thayer, B10
Florida, United States
Sri Kembangsaan, Kary
Hawaii, United States
Kaput, Ting Go, Demak
Indonesia
Lang Bak, Juron
Singapore
Hong Hug, Far Dee
China
Cheng Tsey
Taiwan
B2, B10, B17
Malaysia
Arkin, B1, B6, B10,
Jungle Gold
Australia
Fwang Tung, Thai Knight
Thailand
Source: Galan et al. (1993); Nakasone and Paull (1998).
Maturity indices and harvesting
On ripening, fruit color changes from green to yellow, ac-
companied by an increase in soluble solids, including sug-
ars (sweetness). Carambolas should be picked when fully
yellow to assure good eating quality. However, color break
(1/2 to 3/4 of fruit is yellow) is used as the commercial
maturity index because these fruits are firmer and easier
to handle. Consumers usually prefer yellow and firm fruits
with no brown discoloration on the skin and the five ribs.
The fruit should be free from bruises, insect damage, bird
damage, wind scar, and decay. The flesh should be crispy
and juicy. Preferred sweetness and acidity could vary, de-
pending on cultivar (Kader 2009a).
Commercially, carambola fruits are picked by hand when
a yellow color begins to develop (color break) in the furrow
between the ribs while the tips of the ribs (fins) remain
green. The wings (ribs) are easily damaged, thus handling
with care is necessary. In the field, fruit are generally placed
into 25 lb (11.3 kg) field boxes and placed in the shade
until taken to the packinghouse for disinfestation, washing,
grading, packing, and storage (Crane, 1994; Morton, 1987).
in southern China. It is also grown in certain regions in
West Africa, Australia (Queensland), Latin America, and
the South Pacific islands. The major production area in the
United States is in the southern part of Florida (Morton,
1987; Wu et al., 2004).
VARIETIES, PRODUCTION, AND
HARVESTING
Varieties
Carambolas are often grouped into sweet and tart types
of cultivars. Even the so-called sweet types rarely contain
more than 4% sugar (Wu et al., 2004). Sweet types are rec-
ommended for fresh consumption, while both sweet and tart
types are used for processing. Several cultivars have been
developed and cultivated in different parts of the world
(Table 12.4). In southern Florida, commercially grown cul-
tivars are 'Golden Star,' 'Newcomb,' 'Thayer,' and 'Arkin'
(Morton, 1987). Although 'Golden Star' is classified as a
tart cultivar, the fruits could attain a sweet flavor if they are
allowed to ripen on the tree (Crane, 1994). In Malaysia,
commercial cultivars are 'B2,' 'B10,' and 'B17' ('Honey
Suckle' or 'Honey Dew') (Yaacob and Subhadrabandhu,
1995).
CONSUMPTION TRENDS, SIGNIFICANCE IN
HUMAN HEALTH
Carambolas can be promoted as a fruit with a high content
of vitamin C and minerals such as sodium and potassium,
with a fresh, sweet/sour taste that quenches thirst. Owing
to the unique flavor and shape (star shape in cross section),
the consumption demands of carambola and products could
be expected to increase, especially of the fresh-cut prod-
uct. Carambola is a good source of natural antioxidants
and can effectively scavenge free radicals (Leong and Shui,
2002). Various therapeutic effects of carambola have been
Production
Carambola can be propagated by seeds. The carambola tree
grows slowly up to 6-9 m in height, with many branches.
The leaves are compound leaves of two to five pairs of
leaflets with a light-medium green color. Flowers are pro-
duced in the panicles on the twigs with leaves year-round.
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