Buzz
Every March, star fruit floods the streets leading to the Mekong Delta in a golden hue. Do you know what star fruit is? Its benefits? The price of star fruit and delicious dishes made from it? Stay updated!
Are You Familiar with Star Fruit?
According to locals in the Mekong Delta, star fruit, formerly known as Sơn Trà, used to be a wild fruit. However, due to its delicious taste and fragrant aroma, people brought it home to cultivate, turning it into a specialty of the region. Star fruit trees are widely grown and sold in Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ, An Giang, Bến Tre, and more.
Exploring the Marvels of Star Fruit
Star fruit is classified as a forest tree, with a trunk resembling that of a mango tree, while its fruit has a shape and size similar to a lemon. Star fruit is green when unripe and turns golden-orange when ripe, with a shiny peel. Its flesh is soft, smooth, and juicy, with a sweet and sour taste that is very appealing to everyone. Star fruit ripens from January to the end of March in the lunar calendar, and during this time, the roads leading to the Mekong Delta are adorned with a golden hue due to star fruit on both sides of the road.
How much does star fruit cost?
The price of star fruit varies depending on the situation each year. Whether star fruit is in season and whether it is beautiful and delicious will affect its price. In some years, star fruit can cost from 20,000 to 30,000 dong per kilogram.
This year, star fruit is in season. It is sweet and quite beautiful, highly sought after by people. At the beginning of the season, star fruit can cost up to 50,000 dong per kilogram. However, the price of star fruit is expected to decrease in the coming weeks as more star fruit becomes available.
Some benefits of star fruit
Indulge in the delightful treat of star fruit preserved in sugar syrup to celebrate the star fruit season
Ingredients for making star fruit preserved in sugar syrup:
Guide to Making Star Fruit Preserved in Sugar Syrup:
Step 1: Clean star fruit, remove stems, gently crush the fruit, wash thoroughly, and soak in diluted salt water for about 40 – 60 minutes.
Step 2: Sterilize a glass jar by pouring boiling water over it, then let it drain. A clean jar will prevent the fruit from becoming sticky and spoiling during soaking.
Step 3: After soaking in salt water, remove the star fruit from the basket and let it drain. Do not rinse with cold water because the salt residue on the fruit will enhance its flavor. Star fruit peel has a distinctive fragrance, so there is no need to peel it. Leave the fruit whole or make cross-shaped incisions on the fruit to help it absorb sugar syrup faster.
Step 4: Spread a thin layer of sugar at the bottom of the jar, then layer with fruits. Repeat the process of sugar and fruits until the jar is nearly full, then top with a final layer of sugar.
Step 5: Seal the jar tightly, store in a cool place, approximately 10-15 days later, you'll have a jar of delicious sugar-soaked tea ready to brew.
Step 6: If you're concerned about the tea fermenting or want to prolong its shelf life, after 20 days, transfer the jar of sugar-soaked tea to the refrigerator for extended preservation. When making the drink, scoop out a few tea-soaked fruits, mix with water and some ice, and enjoy a refreshing beverage.
Take a closer look and make sure to save the method of preparing sugar-soaked tea!
Thanh tra is a delightful fruit, both sweet and refreshing, packed with nutrients. Make sure to seize the opportunity during the thanh tra season to bring home a few kilograms!
Posted by: Chau Nguyen
Keywords: Embracing the Season of Golden Ripe Thanh Tra, All You Need to Know About This Fruit Variety
