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The Vietnamese star apple is a fruit like no other.
I first tried this fruit when spending time at our fruit garden property in the Mekong Delta, and it is one of the more unique fruits I have eaten.
In Vietnamese, the star apple is called Vú sữa. The direct translation is breast milk, as the fragrant sweet juice has a look and milky consistency of breast milk.
The fruit is typically round or slightly oval-shaped and has a thin, green, or purple skin. The flesh of the Vietnamese star apple is white or pink, and it contains large seeds.
Once the fruit is cut in half, the inside shape resembles a star, hence the name, although the confusing part is that despite the name, it isn’t an apple.
The Vietnamese star apple is worth trying if you’re looking for a unique fruit experience!
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History
Star apples, also known as caimito, are considered native to the Caribbean and the Greater Antilles and grown extensively throughout central and southern America.
Cultivation has extended to other tropical and sub-tropical areas such as India, China, Southeast Asia, Florida, and northern Australia.
In Vietnam, the star apple is grown in the humid and warm Mekong Delta region, with most farms located in the Tieng Giang and Can Tho provinces.
How to eat Vietnamese Star Fruit
Vietnamese Star apples are a delicious and unique fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways.
There are two popular ways to eat the fruit straight from the tree.
Before eating them, giving the fruit a gentle squeeze and massage is best, which helps soften the flesh and release the juice.
The most common way to eat the star apple is to cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon, avoiding the large seeds.
The other way is to make a hole in the top of the fruit and gently squeeze and suck the milk and juice from the fruit.
What does Vietnamese Star Apple taste like?
The taste of the Vietnamese star apple is unique, and it’s one of the more difficult tastes to describe, but here goes:
The pulp is juicy, fragrant, and sweet, with a slightly sour aftertaste. The texture is sticky and somewhat chewy, not too dissimilar to the flesh longan or rambutan. I remember reading somewhere that it was like eating juicy marshmallows, which probably isn’t too far away from the mark.
Anyway, it’s delicious.
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Health Benefits of Vu Sua
The Vietnamese star apple is a relatively healthy fruit. It is high in fiber and vitamins A and C, making it an excellent choice for those looking to improve their overall health. Additionally, the Vietnamese star apple has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and improve blood sugar control.
Additionally, this fruit contains a compound called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Therefore, eating this fruit may help reduce arthritis and other joint conditions and the risk of developing various chronic diseases.
The fruit can even be made into tea which is said to help relieve coughs and colds.
While more research is needed to confirm these medicinal uses, there is no doubt that the Vietnamese Star Apple is a healthy and healing fruit.
What are some recipes for this fruit?
Vietnamese star apples are a delicious and refreshing fruit that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Other than enjoying them straight from the tree, my favorite way is to take out the pulp, mix it with condensed milk, and then freeze it. The result is a sweet and jelly-like frozen treat.
My favorite way is to take out the pulp, mix it with condensed milk then freeze it. The result is a sweet and jelly-like frozen treat.
Vietnamese star apples can also be used in salads, smoothies, or as a topping on desserts.
Try using the pulp to make a star apple jam for a unique recipe. Vietnamese star apples can also be candied or made into syrup.
However you choose to enjoy them, these fruits are a delicious and healthy treat.