Starapple (also known as Cainito)
The Starapple (also known as Cainito) I picked up at South Kona Fruit Stand.
Starapple (also known as Cainito)
The Starapple (also known as Cainito) I picked up at South Kona Fruit Stand.

This was one of the more unusual fruits I picked up at the South Kona Fruit Stand on the Big Island of Hawaii. The fruit stand is one of the best places on the island to experience the diversity of fruit at its peak of perfection. The produce is sourced from the organic farm behind the stand.

The Star Apple has a delicate lime-colored skin. One of the best ways to eat it is to cut it in half. I had to cut around the fruit and then use both hands to twist it apart. The center has large black seeds configured into a star shape.

The flesh is milky white and glistens beautifully. The flesh tastes like Lychee but sweeter and softer, an almost silky quality. I adore it much more than Lychees which are refreshing but have a firmer flesh and a thin shell between the flesh and the seed which I don’t fancy.

It was delightful to pluck out each seed, eat the flesh around it and then finally use a small spoon to scoop out the remaining flesh.

I have not seen this fruit in the SF Bay Area. If you know of a place that carries it, give me a shout.

Starapple Cainito South Kona Fruit Stand
The Starapple fruit has a smooth, delicate skin which is easy bruised. You need to handle with care. Perhaps this is one of the reasons it has not experienced commericial popularity.
Star Apple
Star Apple cut in half. It's like spliting a mango cookie. One half breaks with the seeds.
Star Apple
About 1/3 of the inside of a Star Apple are these black seeds. The flesh around it is heavenly. Perhaps it is the scarcity of the flesh that makes it even more preciously enjoyed.
Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.