The STAR of apples

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

The presence of naseberry and star apple among the local fruits on offer at a recent function hosted by the Caribbean Broilers Group was a welcomed sight, and proved just as pleasing to the palate.

Neatly cut in about two-inch squares, the seeds removed, the stain associated with the aforementioned fruit was not an issue.

Having sampled the papaya, otaheiti apple, pineapple and melon, I was unashamedly gorging on naseberry and star apple when my fruit plate caught the attention of Johan 'Hans' Muller, divisional manager, Feeds at Newport Mills Limited.

"Weh yu get star apple," the Holland native questioned, with just a hint of disappointment at the thought that he might be too late to get any.

I was more than surprised when he explained that the star apple was a favourite, which he sought out from vendors along the route from Kingston to St Elizabeth. I was sceptical when Muller said he sometimes eats all of the purple-skinned variety.

That was until he returned with a fruitplate, singling out for special attention the star apple which he decimated in a manner that left me cringing, recalling that as a child I had been warned against ingesting the skin since it would likely lead to constipation. There, however, was never a risk of that happening since for me the taste of the skin did not make it very palatable.

Muller did not seem to be bothered by this, as a visual examination of the remnants could only detect not much more than the colour remaining - there was very little left of the skin.

I have never seen a Jamaican, or anyone else for that matter, get more out of a star apple.

It made me wonder how many more visitors to our shores are missing out on these simple pleasures.