Durian: the most smelly fruit in the world

I clearly remember that day two months ago in Bangkok when strolling down the alleys of my first what is known as a wet market I came across a huge queue around one of the stalls of strangely overjoyed locals choosing something in a hurry and fervor. A quick glance was sufficient to recognise the spiky hedgehog like fruit. In the little preparation I did for my journey to Asia I managed to look through the most unusual edible things that I will potentially come across. One of them that was dismissed by almost all Westerners was infamous Durian described at length as many things that I won’t mention here but definitely do not qualify as eatable.

Hence a little hesitation, however after a moment I realized that I might not have a chance or courage to do it some other time and I dived into the tumult of excited shoppers. I was thinking, if the locals praise it, love it, want it why would you not want to be adventurous and give it a go? And so it happened. I got a large fruit that was selected, weighted and opened for me. The fruit vendor was armed in reinforced gloves and a chopper to be able to get inside the fruit. The entire procedure looked like a suspicious ritual back then.

It is crucial to know that when buying a Durian one has three options. Taking it home and fight with opening it yourself, or asking to have the fruit opened for you and munching on it there on the spot. Sellers usually set up a few plastic tables and chairs and supply plastic gloves and tissues for the total dining experience, but it wasn’t the case here at the wet market. So I went for the third option — I asked the seller to open Durian and spoon it out to a plastic take away box and off I went to find more suitable and less disgusting setting to degustate my Durian.

On the note of tasting, all in all it was more of a savoury than sweet experience. The creaminess and richness of the fruit was really overwhelming and yes, I must admit the smell started posing a big problem after few minutes passed away. Mixed feelings persisted for a while, having in mind that the fruit was very overpriced as it was nowhere near the season which did not cross my mind at that stage.

But little did I know back then having my first Durian ever. Only after arriving in Malaysia and visiting night markets regularly I learnt all the important rules about Durians.

The main difference between Malay and Thai Durians is the size. Malaysian Durians are much smaller and more sophisticated in taste and texture. The colour of the flesh is usually dark yellow as oppose to pale yellow of its Thai brother. Malay Durians’ taste varies between this of rum and almonds or hazelnuts. The outer skin of the pulp is firm but the inside melts in your mouth instantly.

It is a pure feast of senses — trust me on this one! I am an official Durian fan, I indulge on it every couple of days and still do not feel bored by its taste. I would recommend it when you have a craving for something sweet, it will definitely satisfy it as it is full of natural sweetness and creaminess. And of course, do not believe in everything that people write about it — try it for yourself, you might be a step away from a blissful experience.

Have you tried Malaysian Durian? What are your thoughts on it?

Origin

Durian is a native fruit of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia but it is also grown in Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Season

Durian is a seasonal fruit in the north of Malay peninsula it is available from April until July while in the south the season is June until September.

Varietes

Some famous species of Durian include: XO, D24, D99, D101, D123 and D169.

The looks

• A sharp thorn covered husk with a creamy pulp containing seeds inside. Depending on variety the seeds can be either small or big.
• shape varies from rounded to elongated
• size varies from one type to another generally football size
• taste nor sweet nor acidic, often creamy, rum like, nutty but when the fruit is overripe it can have a smell closer to an onion or garbage
• colour from vivid green to brownish. As the fruit ripens the husk changes its colour from green to brown. When the fruit is overippe it can cause heartburn and indigestion
• flesh from pale to dark yellow
• typically weights from 1- 3kilograms

How to choose the right one

According to local Durian seller the key to choosing a right fruit at the market is to examine the quality of the stem or stalk. It loses moisture as it ages so it is the best to get the fruit with a big and solid stem.

Uses

In my opinion the best is eaten on its own at any time of the day. It works great as a ‘healthy option dessert’. However I have tried vacuum freeze dried Durian chips and apart from intense smell they proved to be a great snack. I also came across Durian flavoured ice cream, candies, cakes, milkshakes and coffees. In Malaysia it is often used instead of mango in a famous Sticky Rice and Mango recipe.

Nutritional data

• The fruit has high levels of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose. Because of their high carbohydrate content, Durians can help replenish low energy levels quickly
• A source of health benefiting B-complex groups of vitamins; a rare feature among fruits, such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). It can help overcome migraines or headaches
• The fruit’s high potassium content can also help reduce fatigue and relieve mental stress and anxiety
• It also contains high levels of essential amino acid, Tryptophan which is required to metabolize serotonin and melatonin. It is effective to relieve stress and headache and is effective to cure sleeping problem and depression.
• It contains a relatively high amount of fats among fru
• its, but it is free from saturated fats and cholesterol
• Is rich in dietary fiber, which can improve bowel movements and in consequence can solve a problem of constipation
• Is a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C (about 33% of RDA)
• It also contains a good amount of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium
• The fruit contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect from free radical damage
• It also contains folic acid and iron which can help to overcome anemia

Interesting facts

• Durian emanates odour that is very strong and might be unpleasant to some while appealing to others. This is the reason why it is banned from establishments such as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in Southeast Asia
• There are nine species of durian that produce edible fruits but hundreds of durian cultivars
• It is advised to drink plenty of water when consuming Durian. To counteract the warming properties it is advised to pour water to the empty shell after the pulp was consumed and drink it
• Durian is commonly known as ‘King of Fruits’ due to its distinctive smell and highly regarded taste in South East Asia
• The fruit contains round seed the same as a jackfruit seed. These seeds are usually discarded, but it can be consumed. I have heard that Durian fruit seed tastes like jackfruit seed after boiling and roasting it
• It is believed that Durian rises blood pressure and is not recommended with alcohol
• ‘Durian falls and the sarong goes up’ says the traditional Indonesian proverb alluring to the aphrodisiac qualities of the fruit

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