Forbidden Fruit. The Sensual Appeal of Durian

Durian are football sized green spikey fruit with a soft yellow pulp with the consistency of banana around large seeds. It takes its name from ‘Duri’meaning ‘thorn’. It is often referred to as ‘The king of fruit.’ While it is a delicacy to some, it is disgust to others. The smell is something of a combination of paint thinner and old gym socks. The taste outweighs the smell and it resembles custard or a sweet vanilla pudding.

Durians originated in Borneo and Sumatra and have been consumed since ancient times. It has only been known about in the west for about 600 years. Although the fruit is available in many parts of Asia, the chief exporter is Thailand.

The King of Fruit grows on mature trees after about five years. The giant globes weigh around 7lb and are a danger to pickers and they must wear hard hats at all times during the harvest.

Banning

Durian is banned from shopping malls, trains, hotels and airlines etc. Anywhere that you see this sign. Hotel staff have been reported to track down Durian eating residents and march in to fumigate the room. 

In Cooking

Malaysians use Durian in candy, cakes, mousse and ice-cream.

Sambal Tempoyak is a Sumatran dish of fermented Durian, coconut milk and sambal sauce.

In Indonesia the seeds are baked with sugar and eaten as a snack. Raw Durian seeds are toxic and should not be consumed. The Indonesians also cook the young leaves, roots and stem as a vegetable.

Malaysian Border is made with minced Durian, salt and onions.

Durian honey is made with the nectar from bees. (The flowers close during the day but at night the Durian trees are pollenated by honeybees and bats.)

In the Moluccas Island, Durian husks are used to smoke fish.

Thai supermarkets sell Durian paste but this is often mixed with pumpkin which is of similar consistency.

Medicinal Properties

It is believed that a preparation of Durian leaves can aid fever. In Java Durian (pre-digested by elephants!) is sold for $300 and considered an aphrodisiac.

Words of warning

Pregnant women and those with high blood pressure are advised to avoid Durian

Do not consume the fruit with alcohol, caffeine or fizzy drinks as it will cause unbearable indigestion!

Keep The King of Fruits covered up in the fridge or the odour will contaminate everything else.

Don’t go on the pull after you have eaten Durian or you will probably get slapped!