Have you ever eaten something that stinks so bad? That no matter the bad smell, it absolutely is enjoyable. Do you think you will be able to eat a really tasty fruit even though it stinks? Or will you be able to ignore the smell just to enjoy the sweetness of the fruit?
If your answer is no, then you ought to try the Durian fruit and see if you'll be able to ignore the bad smell that comes from it just to savor the rich flavor of the fruit.
Meet the Durian Fruit.
The Durian fruit is also referred to as the “king of fruit.” it is a thorny tropical fruit with a shape and size of a football that is unique to the region of Southeast Asia. it is widely grown in Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, and Indonesia. And recently Chinese have also grown hooked into it.
The Durian fruit is one of the most controversial fruits in the world due to its pungent odor and unique taste. Nevertheless, a lot of individuals like to eat it and they will usually describe the taste as heaven to them and the best fruit in the world.
This fruit is one of the most revered fruits in Southeast Asia, and many restaurants are dedicated to serving it alongside their other dishes. But if you’re new to durian, you would possibly not be sure what to expect once you eat the fruit for the first time because the taste and smell can be pretty strong and the smell is sometimes compared to smelly feet or rotten onions.
Due to its excessive and overpowering smell, the durian fruit was banned in public transport in some Asian countries. In Singapore, even taxis have signs to allow you to know they refuse to transport passengers transporting the smelly fruit.
Botanical characteristics of Durian
Durian fruits emanate from the durian plant, botanically nomenclatured as Durio zibethinus. The plant belongs to the Malvaceae plant family, the same family as the famous hibiscus plant. The plant grows as a 30 to 40 m tall, buttress root tree at maturity on average, but outliers of up 60 m have been recorded.
The fruit is described as a capsule, consisting of several carpels which makes it a multi-compartment fruit. The fruit weighs between 2 to 5 kg at maturity and usually covered in thorns. The colour can vary from green to yellow to brown irrespective of the maturity level of the fruit. The seeds of the fruit are usually round or heart-shaped and the colour varies depending on the variety.
Durian plant is native to South-East Asia but can now be found as far as SOuth India and new Guinea. There are about six other species within the Durio genus with most of them being a source of timber for the locals.
Benefits of Eating The Durian Fruit.
Despite the stench from the durian fruit, it has many health benefits over many other tropical fruits. Naturally rich in iron, vitamin C, B vitamin, fiber, and potassium, the durian fruit improves muscle strength, digestion, skin health, boosts the immune system, and even lowers blood pressure.
Interestingly, one small durian contains 23g of dietary fiber which is almost all of the daily nutritional requirement a person needs. However, it is not advisable to consume a lot at a time because it may cause indigestion, diarrhea, or maybe vomiting.
According to a report by the united states Department of Agriculture, 100 g of durian consists of:
- Energy – 147 kcal
- Protein – 1.47 g
- Carbohydrate – 27.09 g
- Fiber – 3.8 g
- Calcium – 6 mg
- Potassium – 436 mg
- vitamin C – 19.7 mg
- Riboflavin – 0.2 mg
- Folate – 36 micro g
Other benefits of Durian include:
- The dietary fiber in durian helps to enhance overall digestive health.
- It helps to stop cardiovascular diseases.
- It helps to take care of blood and sugar levels.
- Durian fruit possesses antioxidant properties that may help reduce cancer risk.
- It contains nutrients that help strengthens the bone.
- It can help treat anemia or insomnia.
- Durian may help combat skin pigmentation and wrinkles.
- Durian may assist you to sleep better.
- Eating a durian seed can help boost your energy.
How to Eat Durian
Durian can be eaten in numerous ways. It is used in a variety of Southern Asian sweet and savory recipes, particularly in desserts but it is mostly served with sweet dishes. Durian is often blended, baked into cakes, chips, or used as a flavor for ice cream and milkshakes. The thorny flesh of Durian may be mixed with sugar and wrapped in pancakes and deep-fried. It also can be canned, dried, or processed into a paste or powder form for local use as well as exporting.
The durian seeds also can be roasted, boiled, or eaten as nuts. However, it is advisable to not pair the fruit with alcoholic beverages because it inhibits an enzyme within the body that is key to the liver’s ability to breakdown the toxic byproducts of alcohol.
If you are able to withstand the strong smell of Durian fruit, you can eat the fruit raw though some choose to freeze it before eating to savor the taste more.
Conclusion
Durian is the king of fruits and it is also controversial as well. most people like to eat durian fruit, but they have no idea what is there to understand about this fruit. Thankfully, I have highlighted the various benefits one gets after eating the smelly fruit and these benefits sure outweigh the negative components of the fruit. Eating durian should be one of the top 10 foods on your bucket list want to taste before dying to experience how it tastes. Once you visit any Asian country, do not forget to ask your host for a durian fruit, I am sure it will be a memorable experience for you.
Thank you all for reading.
Have you ever eaten it? I havent.. i couldnt get past the smell!!
Never come across them in my entire life except via pictures. It does not grow here in Nigeria. For curiosity's sake, I would have loved to taste it even if that means closing my two nostrils.
i"ll really love to taste this but not sure ive seen this fruit before. Does it go by any other names?
What a great article, amusing and informative at the same time. People aren't allowed on public transport or in taxis with the fruit! I never heard of this before, but the world is small and surely this will offered at a delicacy in some restaurants--if not now, soon.
My family loves durian, and our old town in Cambodia's main attraction was the Durian roundabout. Supposedly Kampot grows the best durian in the world, but I'm sure many places lay claim to that title. I'm more a jackfruit guy myself, but durian is "King of Fruits" as they say in Cambodia. Thanks for sharing.
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I'm glad many people can relate to the fruit in this community. Thanks for the contribution. The fruit does not grow around here, I would have loved to, at least, have a bite. Even if that means closing my nose :)
Durian fruit is very popular in Southeast Asia, I prefer to wait for durian fruit to fall from the tree then we eat it raw. Of course we wait in the garden hut for the safety of our heads, he he ..
I learnt it could be as heavy as 2 kg, I do not know how true that is. No one will risk having a 2 kg load drop on his head.
I learnt it could be as heavy as 2 kg, I do not know how true that is. No one will risk having a 2 kg load drop on his head.
You haven't lived until one falls on your head.
I did not know this fruit, it looks very similar to the fruit of the chestnut tree (Castanea sativa). I don't know if you know him. I would like to try that fruit, it is very peculiar. I don't think I can find it on this side of the world, though. Thank you for this information, I like that you make this kind of post and explain its properties. It is fantastic. Hugs from afar. :D
Natural Medicine supports wellness of body, mind, soul and earth on HIVE.
Come say hi via Lotus Chat or drop by our community - we'd love to welcome you!
You are welcome and thanks for reading through as well. I know the fruit is popular in SOuth East Asia and parts of India/Australia. It does not grow around here as well.
it is amazing your explanation here about durian, this fruit does have a pungent smell, but it tastes delicious, in our place durian fruit is very easy to find, there are people everywhere who sell it, especially in the harvest season @gentleshaid
Yeah it stinks but delicious. I can't take much the raw fruit due to the stink. I love the durian candies.
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I love it and would eat it more often if it wasn't so expensive in Cambodia. To me, it doesn't even smell that bad.
i love durian! I don't think they stink. They smell good to me, maybe i'm one of those rare people whose genetics translate the stink to sweet