sábado, 28 de diciembre de 2013

Introducing Starfuit and its many benefits



One of our favorite breakfast juices at Sueno del Mar is starfuit!  Here's some little known facts to introduce you to this delicious drink and help you prepare your own at home!


Carambola, also known as starfruit, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola. The tree is cultivated throughout non-indigenous tropical areas, such as in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States.
The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually five, but can sometimes vary); in cross-section, it resembles a star, hence its name. The entire fruit is edible and is usually eaten out of hand. They may also be used in cooking, and can be made into relishes, preserves, and juice drinks.

The entire fruit is edible, including the slightly waxy skin. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and extremely juicy. It does not contain fibers and has a texture similar in consistency to that of grapes. Carambolas are best consumed shortly after they ripen, when they are yellow with a light shade of green or just after all traces of green have disappeared. They will also have brown ridges at the edges and feel firm. Fruits picked while still slightly green will turn yellow in storage at room temperature, but will not increase in sugar content. Overripe carambola will be yellow with brown spots and can become blander in taste and soggier in consistency.
Ripe sweet type carambolas are sweet without being overwhelming as they rarely have more than 4% sugar content. They have a tart, sour undertone, and an oxalic acid odor. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of apple, pear, and citrus family fruits. Unripe starfruits are firmer and sour, and taste like green apples.

Carambola is rich in antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C; and low in sugar, sodium, and acid. It is also a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants.[8] Averrhoa carambola has both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) by the fruit extract is dependent on concentration and stage of ripening. Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.





How to make a perfect Starfruit juice::
Remove any green bits off the star fruit. Roughly chop. Add star fruit, lime juice and water into blender and liquidize. Add sugar if wanted and quickly blend again to mix. Some people prefer this strained. Chill.

Read more: <a href="http://low-cholesterol.food.com/recipe/carambola-juice-54241?oc=linkback">http://low-cholesterol.food.com/recipe/carambola-juice-54241?oc=linkback</a>




You will feel right at home at our beachfront Bed and Breakfast located near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

lunes, 23 de diciembre de 2013

Christmas in Costa Rica at Sueno del Mar


Years ago, Sueno del Mar started a traditional lunch with the whole team to celebrate Christmas as a family. Over the last few years, pizza has been on the menu, prepared by Eduardo and Sol for Susanne, Lili, Ellen, Victor and Randy.  This delicious pizza and the festivities of the day are one that we look forward to all year! 

This year, Eduardo surprised us with a delicious dish made by Lili ...Rice with Shrimp! Lili really is an expert in typical food and with a unanimous vote, we decided that she is the Queen of the Kitchen!

After so many years together, we can say that we are a big family at our Boutique Bed and Breakfast.  And we hope that you feel the same way when you come for a visit.  We use this time together tocelebrate the beautiful year and all of our achievements as well as to develop goals and objectives for the new season that is just starting. Many thanks to our team for belonging to this family!

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. And do not forget, that if you want a little warmth our doors are always open!









You will feel right at home at our beachfront Bed and Breakfast located near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

lunes, 16 de diciembre de 2013

Getting Engaged in Costa Rica



The northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica has some of the most delicate, pristine sugar sand beaches in the country.  And our location near Tamarindo is gaining worldwide recognition as a piece of heaven on Earth.  Nearby sleepy fishing villages line coves and broad palms shade sunny beaches only meters away from stunning underwater volcanic reefs.   A divine environment to share with your significant other, the northwest coast has become a destination for memorable proposals that inspire and excite.  When seeking to make a proposition for marriage to your soon-to-be bride, the Costa Rican coastline can offer a tantalizing backdrop for the most important question you will ever ask.

Draped in spectacular waterfalls and chorused by wildlife, hiking and riverboat tours offer a special opportunity for romance to blossom and can be an out of the ordinary way to propose under a canopy alive with the pageantry of forest wildlife.  Adventurous minded grooms-to-be can stage an underwater proposal while exploring the age-old reefs under still ocean waters while snorkeling and enjoying a sunset catamaran cruise.  Or create magic by asking for your significant other’s hand while zip-lining over towering tropical flora.  The opportunities to create an unforgettable moment that is a testament of your love and adoration abound along the northwest Pacific coast.  The jewel of Tamarindo’s surrounding pristine areas is the ideal first step in your lifelong journey and can see you off in a special Latin-infused style.    


Our beachfront hotel in Playa Langosta is the perfect setting for your next Costa Rica vacation.