Delightful Star Fruit Mui Recipe Your Taste Buds Will Love
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Are you looking for a unique and flavorful fruit snack that you can make at home with minimal effort? Do you enjoy trying new recipes from different cultures and regions? If so, I invite you to explore the world of star fruit mui, a popular Hawaiian and Taiwanese treat that combines the tangy sweetness of fresh star fruit with the savory umami of preserved plum powder (li hing mui) and other seasonings.
Star fruit, also known as carambola, is a tropical fruit that grows abundantly in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Florida. It has an oval or pentagonal shape, a yellow-green to golden-yellow color, and a juicy flesh that contains edible seeds. The taste of star fruit is similar to a blend of pineapple, apple, and grapefruit, with a hint of tartness that makes it refreshing and versatile. You can eat star fruit as a whole fruit, slice it into salads or smoothies, or cook it into sauces or jams. However, one of the most creative ways to enjoy star fruit is by turning it into mui or “fruit leather”, which is made by dehydrating the fruit slices and then tossing them with a mixture of li hing mui powder, sugar, salt, and other spices.
Mui has become an iconic snack in Hawaii since the early 20th century when Chinese immigrants introduced it to local markets as a dried apricot alternative. Over time, the popularity of mui has spread to other parts of the Pacific Rim and beyond, inspiring variations such as peach mui, mango mui, and papaya mui. However, the original star fruit mui remains one of the most beloved and satisfying options if you want to indulge in something sweet yet savory that satisfies your cravings for umami-rich foods.
In this recipe article, I will guide you through the process of making homemade star fruit mui using fresh star fruit, li hing mui powder, sugar, salt,
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Prepare yourself for the perfect bite-sized snack with the Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui Recipe. Not only is this fruit snack recipe easy to follow, but it also offers an explosion of tropical fruit flavor in every bite. Trust me; you’ll thank yourself for giving this recipe a chance.
Firstly, this recipe combines star fruit’s natural sweetness with a perfect balance of Chinese five-spice powder and salt. This combination elevates the fruit’s unique taste to a whole new level. The delicious balance of sweet and savory allows room for experimentation with different flavors if desired.
Secondly, the flavor profile becomes even more enjoyable when coated with raw sugar or li hing mui powder – a sweet-salty seasoning common in Hawaiian cuisine. Li hing mui is known for its tart taste derived from dried plum skin fermented with sugar and spices. The earthy flavor of the spice blend works well with star fruit’s tanginess and sweetness.
Thirdly, the best part about this recipe is its convenience. You can comfortably make a weekend batch or plan ahead by dehydrating the slices to enjoy throughout the week. The dehydrated star fruit becomes an ideal addition to tropical fruit chips or even as a topping on your fruit cake or chutney.
Lastly, eating starfruit has numerous health benefits. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, essential elements that improve your immune system and digestive health. It also contains potassium, which aids in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
With its delicious and unique flavor profile paired with its many health benefits, you will surely love this recipe. Don’t hesitate – give it a try today!
Ingredient List
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s first take a look at what ingredients you’ll need to make this Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui. These ingredients are easy to find and may even be sitting in your pantry already!
- 2 quarts of star fruit (Taiwanese star fruit is preferred for this recipe), cut into slices of 3.
- Juice from 3 lemons
- Salt: 6 teaspoons
- Sugar: 9 teaspoons*
- Chinese Five Spice Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Hing Mui Powder (Mui Powder): 1 tablespoon (can be found online or in specialty stores)
*You can use raw sugar instead of white sugar to give a rustic flavor.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Cut the star fruit
To prepare the star fruit for this delectable treat, cut them into thin slices about 1/4 inch thick. Remove and discard the seeds.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together raw sugar, salt, and Chinese five-spice powder until they are combined.
Step 3: Add lemon juice
Squeeze juice from 3 lemons until you get about half a cup. Pour the lemon juice into the spice mixture and stir well.
Step 4: Coat the Star Fruit
Add the sliced star fruit to the spice mixture one slice at a time. Make sure each slice is coated with a generous amount of the mixture. Repeat until all slices have been coated.
Step 5: Dehydrate the Star Fruit
Place each star fruit slice onto a food dehydrator tray, leaving some space between each slice to allow air to circulate properly. If you don’t have a food dehydrator, you can use an oven instead, set it at its lowest setting and bake for about 8 hours, flipping halfway through.
Pro Tip: If you want to add some Li hing mui powder to your carambola mui fruit snack, sprinkle some over your coated star fruit slices before dehydrating them.
Step 6: Store and Enjoy
Once your carambola mui fruit snack is fully dehydrated and cooled, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags. Your carambola mui fruit snack will last up to 6 months when stored in a cool place.
Serving suggestion: Serve with fresh lime wedges to bring out bright flavors of your tropical fruit chips!
Preparing Carambola Mui Fruit Snacks couldn’t be easier! Just follow these simple steps and enjoy this delicious snack any time of the day. Make sure to check out our serving and pairing recommendations in section (6) so you can enhance your culinary experience even further.
Substitutions and Variations
There are many ways to switch up the flavors and textures of this star fruit mui recipe to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas for substitutions and variations:
– Swap out the Chinese five spice powder for cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a warm fall flavor.
– Use coconut sugar instead of raw sugar for a more natural, low-glycemic sweetener.
– Substitute regular salt with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt for added minerals and nutrients.
– If you can’t find li hing mui powder, try using tamarind powder, dried mango powder, or dried apricot powder instead.
– Experiment with other tropical fruits that have a similar texture to star fruit, such as guava, papaya, or mango. You can even mix and match several different fruits for a colorful and flavorful snack.
– For a spicy kick, add some finely chopped chili peppers to the sugar mixture before coating the star fruit slices.
– You can also try serving these fruit snacks in different ways – dip them in chocolate, serve them with fruit juice or use them as a topping on cakes or ice cream.
Remember to be creative and adventurous when it comes to making substitutions and variations. These ideas can help you discover your own perfect combination of flavors for your own personal enjoyment.
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have your delicious Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui (Fruit Snack) ready, it’s time to enjoy it! This fruit snack is perfect for any time of the day and can be paired with a variety of dishes or beverages.
For a light breakfast, serve the Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui (Fruit Snack) with plain yogurt or oatmeal. The slightly tangy flavor of the star fruit pairs perfectly with the creaminess of yogurt and the earthiness of oats.
If you’re looking for an afternoon snack, pair it with some cheese slices or hummus on crackers. The sweet and savory combination will satisfy your mid-day cravings without leaving you feeling heavy.
For your evening dessert, try serving the Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui (Fruit Snack) alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The sweetness of the mui powder and the refreshing taste of star fruit complement the creamy texture of ice cream beautifully.
In addition to these pairing options, you can also experiment by adding dried Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui to your cakes, cookies or even chutney recipe. You may also crush it up and sprinkle on top of a cocktail or mix it with fruit juice to make a tropical flavored drink.
Overall, this fruit snack is versatile and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Not only is it delicious, but starfruit has many health benefits. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber and is also low in calories. So go ahead and indulge in this tasty treat guilt-free!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about this star fruit carambola mui fruit snack recipe is that it can be made ahead of time, which makes it perfect for parties, gatherings or simply a quick grab-and-go snack. You can store your fruit carambola mui in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag at room temperature and enjoy for up to two weeks.
In terms of reheating, there’s no need to warm up your star fruit carambola mui as this is a dried fruit snack. However, if you prefer your fruit snack a bit softer or want to freshen them up before serving, you can place them in an oven preheated to 200°F for a few minutes until they are slightly warmed through.
It’s also worth noting that you can experiment with flavor variations by adding toppings such as li hing powder or hing mui powder after reheating. Just sprinkle a pinch over the top of your star fruit carambola mui and enjoy the added burst of flavors.
Lastly, If you have any leftover fruit carambola mui powder, try using them in other dishes such as cakes, sprinkling them over yogurts, or even making tropical fruit chips. Don’t let anything go waste!
Knowing how to store and reheat your starfruit li hing mui properly will keep its quality and aroma intact. So go ahead and make these dehydrated fruits with confidence that you’re getting the best out of your ingredients!
Tips for Perfect Results
To make sure your Star Fruit Mui (Fruit Snack) recipe comes out to be an absolute hit every time, I’ve compiled a few tips to help you.
Firstly, when you are cutting the starfruit for this recipe, make sure to cut thin slices so that they dehydrate properly without losing their shape. If you slice them too thick, they will take longer to dehydrate and might still retain some moisture in the center.
Secondly, it’s important to use fresh and ripe starfruit for this recipe. Make sure to pick fruits that are unblemished and not too soft. The fruit should be ripe enough to have a sweet and tangy flavor but not too overripe that it becomes mushy.
Thirdly, don’t skip on the Chinese five-spice powder and raw sugar mixture. Apart from enhancing the flavor of the starfruit, it gives an earthy aroma and pleasant sweetness to your Carambola Mui.
Fourthly, while drying the starfruit in the oven, make sure they are evenly spaced out on the baking tray to ensure even dehydration. You can also use parchment paper or a silicone mat under the slice for easy removal and preventing sticking.
Lastly, allow your finished product to cool down completely before storing them in an airtight container. Storing warm or humid snacks can turn them into a breeding ground for mold, which can ruin all your efforts of making perfect Star Fruit Mui (Fruit Snack).
Follow these tips, and your carambola mui fruit snack recipe will turn out flawlessly every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui Recipe is a unique and delicious way to enjoy the tropical fruit carambola, also known as star fruit. With the addition of Chinese five spice powder and li hing mui powder, this fruit snack recipe elevates the flavors to a new level, making it a crowd-pleasing and addictive treat.
Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it also offers a range of substitutions and variations to suit different tastes and preferences. You can also serve it alongside other dishes or store it for later use, ensuring that you get the most out of your carambola mui fruit.
So, if you’re looking for a flavorful and healthy snack that’s packed with health benefits, consider making this star fruit carambola mui today. Not only will you satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, but you’ll also be treating your body to essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. And who knows? This might just become your new favorite tropical fruit snack recipe!
Star Fruit (Carambola) Mui (Fruit Snack) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 quarts star fruit, cut in slices
- 3 lemons, juice of
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- 6 tablespoons sugar or 9 tablespoons raw sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons whiskey
Instructions
- Dry star fruit in the sun for 2 days.
- Rinse.
- Combine remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Add star fruit and simmer about 15 minutes, until shiny and transparent.
- Cool.
- Store refrigerated in sterilized jars.
- Age 2 to 3 days before eating.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Dora
Dora is a chef well-versed in Brazilian and American cuisine. After a hard day's work in the kitchen of her restaurant, she finds the time to jot down recipes for her food blog. Her recipes are sure to delight foodies everywhere, as she strives to make each one unique and enjoyable to read.