Durian is a large, spike-covered fruit from South East Asia, sometimes known as the "king of fruits," and famous enough to make the list of 50 things to eat before you die. The fruits weigh anywhere from 2 to 10-pounds and are famous for their unusually creamy texture and rich taste to those who like it, but the most famous quality of durian is its unmistakable odor, described as everything from a combination of onions and sweaty socks to rotting fish and sewage. The smell can extend for up to 1/2 mile, drawing the many animals that like to eat it, including pigs, elephants, squirrels and even tigers, right to the ripe fruits. The ripening process continues even after the fruit has been removed from the tree, developing more pungency and a creamier texture. Due to the texture of the flesh, which is that of thick custard, it is considered to be a delicacy and a treat to many people.
The fruits have been cultivated for about 500 years, but were eaten throughout South East Asia long before they were discoverd by the Western world. Thailand is one of the largest exporters of the fruits, though they can grown almost anywhere that has a similar climate, like Hawaii and India.
While durian afficianados can tell a lot from the smell, novices should rely on other techniques to choose a fruit. To select a good durian, look for a fruit that is comparitively light for its size. Shaking it can give an indication of ripeness, as the large seeds will move around slightly more in a ripe fruit. If the stem is still attached to the durian, it should be moist; dry stems are an indication of less fresh fruit. Despite their formidable appearance, durain are quite easy to peel. As the fruit ripens, the thick rind develops cracks. By examining the rind, it is possible to see where the cracks are developing. If there are already fissures in the fruit, it is a simple matter of inserting either a small knife, or one's fingers, inside and breaking it apart. The durian will contain several large segments of its pudding-like fruit.
Asian markets often sell durian flavored things if they don't carry the whole fruits. Pastries and cakes made with durian are almost always milder in flavor than the fruit itself, but are a good way to get a sense of the taste. There are cookies, candies and caramels, but braver souls can try:
[Photo she bakes and she cooks]
Cakes so amazing they'd be hard to cut into
Fruit juice: An invitation to diabetes?
Morbid thoughts? Have a cookie
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-01-2006 @ 10:03PM
John B said...
Interesting. What does it taste like?
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4-01-2006 @ 11:42PM
David T said...
Considering how much smell influences taste, my guess is that it tastes somewhere between rotting fish, sweaty socks, and sewage. Yum. :P
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4-02-2006 @ 6:32AM
harry said...
After reading Anthony Bourdain's "A Cook's Tour" I had to make eating durian a priority in my life.
My first experience with the durian fruit was ordering durian ice cream in Saigon. The waiter said to me "Do you know what Durian is?" I answered "of course" and he gave me a "I hope you know what you are getting into" look. The ice cream came and it tasted like something like liquid antibiotics. I didn't want to lose face so I ate the entire thing and burped durian for the next few hours. My wife couldn't stomach it at all. Later in the week I bought some of the real fruit in the market and while the texture was pretty interesting, I wasn't all that impressed with the taste. That didn't stop me however from buying durian coconut candy in the airport to share with my friends.
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4-02-2006 @ 11:48AM
Bruce Dearborn Walker said...
Durian is great. I love it. Many Vietnamese restaurants will serve a durian milkshake, which is a good introduction for beginners. It's also the only fruit with which you can actually kill someone (coconuts are nuts, and sugar cane, which can be used like a stick to beat someone to death, is actually a grass).
It is also useful to frighten your in-laws, and will often help you get rid of guests who have overstayed their welcome.
For a really good sense of the smell, forgetfully leave one overnight in your car, and then go for a drive about 2:00 pm on a sunny summer afternoon. Preferably with an old friend, or a new girlfriend. It will give her something interesting to talk about when she is 80.
It will also bring a smile to your old Indonesian Kung Fu teacher, if you have one.
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4-02-2006 @ 1:34PM
tr said...
whenever my friends and i get bubble tea, i often will get durian. and then i'm often asked "what IS that smell??? is that coming from you?"
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4-03-2006 @ 12:41AM
James said...
After eating Durian, it is recommended that you follow with Mangosteens. Mangosteens are good by themselves.
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4-03-2006 @ 8:40AM
Justin said...
The smell of durian is indeed very distinctive: once you know what it is, you can easily identify it at 100 paces. I actually think it smells ok, something like a VERY ripe melon. Taste-wise, it's the strangest thing that I have ever eaten. Think of a mix of custard, cheese, meat and fruit. Bourdain is right, once you have eaten it you burp or taste it for hours or even days. The sweets ("durian gummy")taste exactly like it, so try them if you can...
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