Tasting Notes: Durians for First-Timers

2011-05-09

For someone who hasn't eaten a durian yet, it’s a complete mystery how someone can appreciate a fruit with a smell so overpowering it has been compared to old gym socks, almonds, onions, turpentine, and so many other things. The truth is, once you get past that strong and sometimes repulsive odour, you will be surprised to discover a flesh that has been described by 19th-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace as a "a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds".

Choose the Lower Grade Durians First Durians with a higher grade, or a higher number, are more bitter and have a stronger and pungent smell. For starters, you can choose fruits with a lower grade so you can familiarise yourself with its taste and the smell. Once you get used to it, you can now move on to the more exotic durian types. Don’t Be Intimidated By Its Smell The durian has been described as a fruit with a heavenly taste but smells like hell. It is for this reason that durians have been banned from some hotels, buses, and trains in Singapore. When you’re about to eat a durian, do remember that the smell is all in the mind. Close your eyes and nose, and try to enjoy every bite of its rich and creamy flesh. Fast Facts: 1. Durian is called the king of all fruits because of its large size and its intimidating thorn-covered husk. 2. Durians can’t be plucked from the tree. The harvesters need to wait for the fruits to drop. Legends say that durian trees are smart because they usually drop their fruits at night when there are few or no people left in the field. 3. The word durian is derived from the Malay word, duri, which means thorns. 4. A durian hitting you on the head is fatal. It is for this reason that scientists have come up with a new breed of trees that do not grow as tall as the original durian trees. 5. According to Asian folk sayings, the durian fruit is an aphrodisiac. Find more Singaporean delights here Must-try local faves you don't want to miss

OpenRice SG Editor