Durians

Durian Fruit is produced by a tropical tree that can grown 100 feet tall (40 metres.)

Though there are many varieties, the fruit is generally about the size of a soccer ball, with a thick, brownish-green spiky skin (it look a bit like a hedgehog curled up.) The trees are so tall, that it’s “harvested” simply by waiting for it to fall off the trees. A Durian tree needs 10 years before it can start to fruit.

Inside the fruit is a large brown seed surrounded by a creamy yellow pump. Though the fruit is very sweet, it’s also quite stinky: to some, the “aroma” is a cross between rotten fish and old socks, or onions that have gone bad. Because of the smell, in Singapore it is forbidden to carry Durians on public transportation.

Choose a Durian fruit with no holes or splits in it. When you shake it, there should be no rattle inside, but there should be a muffled sound. If there is no sound at all, it is not ripe. There should be a slight smell — no smell means not ripe. Too much smell means past it — you shouldn’t be able to detect the true extent of the smell until you open it.

Cooking Tips

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked with. It’s often cooked in coconut milk to mask the smell. To some people’s tastes, though, no matter how you try to cook it, it still tastes like it smells.

The seeds can be sliced and fried.

Nutrition Facts Per 100 g (3 ½ oz)
		Amount
Calories		150

Language Notes

Duri in Malaysian means “thorn”.