Description

Also known as the “King of fruits.” Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance, whereas others find the aroma overpowering with an unpleasant odor. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odor, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit’s banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia. By contrast, some described its flesh as “a rich custard highly flavored with almonds”. The flesh can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, and it is used to flavor a wide variety of savory and sweet desserts in southeast Asian cuisines. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked.