With a flavor like almond custard and an odor like raw sewage, the Durian (Durio zibethinus, Durio spp.) elicits strong polarizing reactions from many people.
The Durian can be eaten raw and ripe, or in various stages of maturity, and can be cooked and included in dishes either sweet or savory.
The seeds are also edible when cooked (boiled or roasted), and the flower petals, young shoots and leaves are also edible.
The Large 1 foot long round fruit is thorny and distinctive, green/brown on the outside and yellowish to red inside, depending on the variety. Durio zibethinus is the species available on the international market, but there are several Durio species that produced edible Durian fruits which may be found in local markets in Asia.
Humourously, I included this sign (inserted on photo) for “No Durians” on the Singapore Subway–as their smell is considered a public nuisance in some areas!
It is also very nutritious—reportedly one of the most nutritious fruits worldwide, one cup of the pulp providing 80% of the Daily Value (DV) for Vitamin C, about one third of the DV for Manganese, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Riboflavin and Copper, as well as over half of the DV for Thiamine. In addition to its good content of fiber, vitamins and minerals, the Durian contains bioactives of interest.
The presence of sweet odor compounds, such as the ketones, along with the organosulfur compounds and thiols can explain the complicated odor of Durian. It also contains a rich content of flavonoids, bioactive polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids.
Scientific investigations have found Durian to have blood sugar balancing, cholesterol, antiproliferative and probiotic activities. Durian aril fermentation (which is common in Malaysia) to produce a product called Tempoyak is found to be predominant in lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fersantum, L.corynebacteriaum, and other Lactobacillus species. In traditional medicine, the Durian has many uses, including as an aphrodisiac and for warming the body. The leaves and roots of the Durian are also used for bringing down fever.
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Photo by Len Worthington
Singapore “No Durians” Subway sign by ProjectManhattan