The leaves are delicate and attractive as well. Ripe fruits can be picked off the tree or gathered off the ground after they fall. The sweetest fruit is the most ripe. They hold very well in a bowl for several days or can be chilled before serving. Refrigerated carambola turns brown quickly but retains its flavors.
Different varieties are sweeter or more tart.
We prefer the tart taste types. Flowers are in great masses of tiny purple blooms. They smell sweet and are very attractive. Carambolas produce what seems like 100 flowers for every one fruit set. Some flowers are produced on the trunk and heavier woody branches even off wood with no leaves.