The
durian is a perfectly unique tropical fruit which has no comparison. You can't compare it to the soursop or jackfruit although both fruits have similar shape, size and husk colour to the durian. Durian is exquisite. There is no fruit in the world you can compare it to.
"King of Fruits" vs pretenders
The durian is totally unique with its thorny husk and smooth and creamy yellow flesh, strongly exotic taste, and sharply aromatic smell. However, the durian is often referred to as a controversial fruit. You either love it or hate it!
Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, hated the durian because he found the smell of durian nauseating and gave him a headache. Many durian detractors also complained that it smells like garbage, moldy cheese, rotting fish, rotting onions, dirty socks, bile, or vomit. The odour is so strong and pervasive that public transport such as the train do not allow passengers to bring durian into its carriages. Even the best hotels prohibit guests from bringing durian into their rooms.
A warning sign on board the Singapore MRT.
But, the proof is in the eating. What the famous 19th century naturalist,
Alfred Russell Wallace, had to say after he ate his first durian in Borneo:
"A rich, butter-like custard highly flavored with almonds, but intermingled with wafts of flavor that call to mind cream cheese, onion sauce, brown sherry and other incongruities. The more you eat of it, the less you feel inclined to stop."
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| D24 - an opened fruit |
Wallace loved it. And hundreds of thousands, possibly millions more people, especially in the southeast Asian region love this perfectly unique tropical fruit. I love durians. My family and grandchildren love durians. So do my relatives, friends and neighbors. We all love durians! After all, durian originated from this region a long, long time ago.
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| Durian drawing by a 4-year boy |
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The durian is not just limited to this region. Modern communication and travel has help spread the demand for durian all over the world. Durian lovers can be found in Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan. Durian fans can also be found in Australia, USA, Canada and Europe.
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| Durian stalls displaying durians of all shapes and sizes |
In Malaysia, the durian is the most popular tropical fruit and is affectionately referred to as the “King of Fruits”. In the past, you have to wait patiently for the durian season to arrive to enjoy this delicious fruit. But, nowadays, you can eat durians to your hearts content almost all year round.
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| Durians of all shapes and sizes for durian lovers |
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| Window to the delicious world of the durian |
You can find durians on sale almost anywhere in the country: supermarkets, fresh markets, fruit stalls, roadside stalls, stalls-on-wheels etc. In coffee-shops, durian sellers even bring the fruit to your table while you are having your favorite
kuey-teow,
nasi lemak or
roti canai.
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| Pre-pack fresh durians at supermarkets |
Local durians are the best but you can also get some good quality durians from neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. If you haven't tasted durian before, try it! You be the judge once you have tasted it.
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| Frozen durian in boxes at the supermarket |
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| Enjoying his durians as a dessert |
Many local Asian people acquired their love of durian while young. My love affair with this unique fruit started while I was still a toddler. And most people, including westerners, who have eaten good quality durian become lifelong addicts.
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| Frozen durian just taken out from the freezer |
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| Thawed frozen durians ready to be eaten |
This blog is all about the durian. I like to share whatever durian information and experiences about the durian that I have gathered while I was working with the Department of Agriculture. I am not a durian expert nor am I a durian planter for I do not have a durian farm or a durian tree in my backyard. I just love durian. You'll too if you start it right. And I'll show you how.
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| A couple of old traditional durian trees in a village |
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A modern durian farm
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Please see my
Pages on the right-hand column for the various topics on durian that I have posted. It may take a while to cover all the important topics. Meantime, you can leave your comments and I'll be very happy to do what I can. Do come back and visit soon.
