Durian is a distinctive tropical fruit. It is well-liked in the Southeast Asia region, where people refer to it as “the king of fruits.” More vitamins and minerals are present in durian than in most other fruits. But its overpowering odor also contributes to its poor reputation. Both sweet and savoury dishes use durian. Although the seeds must be cooked, both the seeds and the creamy flesh can be eaten. The flavour is defined as tasting simultaneously like cheese, almonds, caramel, and garlic.
Durain fruit is used in various food preparations such as side dish, ice cream, candy & other desserts, soup, seeds-roasted or boiled, and juice. Besides, it also has traditional medicinal uses as it contains medicinal properties which are presently being studied. As per studies, the durian fruit has plentiful health benefits such as reduces cancer risks, prevents heart disease, fights infection, and lowers blood sugar.
8 Essential Facts about Durian Fruit Unveiled
- Strong Smell and Unique Appearance- Typically, durian fruit has a slightly oval shape, is about a foot wide, and is covered in intimidating-looking spikes. The fruit can weigh anywhere from two to seven pounds, which makes it so heavy that if you hold it by the fruit’s body rather than the stem, it may potentially pierce your skin. One of its characteristics, the smell, overshadows its otherworldly appearance. The scent of durians is overpowering and foul; it permeates the shell and clings around long after this fruit is removed.
- Banned across Public Transport- Durian has been outlawed on most public transportation in Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong due to its overpowering odour. In Singapore, the smelly fruit is prohibited on all forms of public transportation. Even taxis have signs stating that they will not pick up passengers carrying the fruit.
- Superfruit- Despite its unpleasant smell, durian is much healthier than most other fruits. The natural iron, potassium, and vitamin C content of durian boosts skin health, blood pressure control, and muscle strength. Additionally, one small durian has 23g of dietary fibre, or almost your entire daily requirement. Overindulging in durian however can cause dizziness and breathlessness.
- Young vs. Old- In a very short amount of time, the fruit undergoes significant change. Early harvests almost qualify as vegetables because the early-harvested fruit has a hard, manageable flesh that is bitter rather than sweet. Durian eaters typically prefer the fruit to be overripe, when the sweet and citrus flavours are significantly more pronounced. However, the fruit by that time has a consistency more akin to sour cream and is messier. Durians are typically consumed after they naturally fall to the ground, but durian farms frequently harvest the fruit before to ship this overseas.
- Myriad Varieties- Durian comes in about 30 different varieties. Although durian farms can now be found in Southern India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the southern Chinese island of Hainan, the fruit is originally from Malaysia, Borneo, and Indonesia. The majority of the fruit is actually exported from Thailand, where there are numerous farms that grow more variations than the fruit’s original habitation.
- No Precise Taste and Smell- Over a century of travel writing has gone into attempting to convey the flavour and aroma of durian, but we are still far from being able to do so and in a means that would be helpful to anyone who has never tasted or smelled it. A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds provides the finest general idea, yet there are rare wafts of flavour that call to mind onion-sauce, cream-cheese, sherry-wine, & other incongruous dishes.
- Shares Resemblance with Architecture- The durian is Singapore’s official fruit. The Esplanade building adjacent to Marina Bay was originally intended to be two glass domes. However, when the design was changed to include pointed aluminium shades, the buildings began to resemble two durians that had been split in half.
- King of Fruit- Southeast Asians frequently refers to durian- the king of fruits, whether because of its size—the fruit can weigh up to 7 pounds—or its flavour. Durian is unquestionably the most costly fruit due to its difficulty in growing, danger when it falls, need for very specific soil ingredients, and shipping costs.
Bottom Line
The durian has been around almost for hundreds of years, but only recently has it begun to gain widespread acceptance. This fruit offers a wide range of health advantages that significantly enhance physical and mental health and also skin and hair growth. It is a tropical fruit that is packed with nutrients and has amazing medicinal uses. Consume this healthy fruit in moderation while keeping in mind the negative effects. When the durian is cut open, just put up with the unpleasant smell and savour the delicious, pulpy fruit on its own or in some delectable desserts.
