The Midweek Quirker: What is the Durian?
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009, posted in: midweek eating quirker
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A dollop of off-the-curb eating quirk to brighten up those midweek blues every wednesday or thursdays or both
Depending on which part of the far east you travel to, the Durian is actually considered the king of fruit. This is a tropical fruit, so you won’t see it growing in someone’s back garden in Croydon, but in places like Thailand – where the famous ‘Monthong’ breed is planted – the durian is abit like a national treasure.
The thick outer shell is usually oval shaped, green and spiky. The flesh is usually cream in colour (sometimes yellowish or reddish too) and it tastes rather like natural egg custard or a crème brulee . Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of the Durian is it’s smell.
Now, this is one of those polarising foods of the world, you either love it or hate it. That smell is unique and rather strong. I can’t quite describe it except to say it’s the smell of a durian. It is also uniquely because of the smell that people get put off by it.
The best analogy I can give is that of a great French soft cheese, like a good unpasteurised Brie, for example. Some say it’s super pungent, but to me it’s like a golden tingling sensation. The runny creamy texture and the sharp hit is like music to my tastebuds, or it could be like eating rotten eggs.
To find out if you are a Durian lover or not, head towards Chinatown in Leicester Square, go to one of the grocery shops and ask for one. They import them from Thailand sometimes.
So, do you like durian?
Photo by zircon3035
I’ve only tried it once, but couldn’t get past the smell, which made me retch! Not sure if I’m brave enough to try again.
I’d say the smell is like old gym socks crossed with sick. I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat it, but my mum and sister love it. I remember sweaty tram rides home from school in Hong Kong with the reek of it right up your nose from other passengers with it – ah, happy times!
Yay! How fantastic, a post on durian. Such an underrated fruit! The smell is not for everyone, but it is so pretty!
I love the durian. Unequivocally. I really cant understand what all the fuss is about. Its sweet with a very unique taste and personally, I think it smells of heaven
i love durian. Its such a wonderfuly fruit!! Thailand ones, i think, are the best. Went to thai bak in 2007 and had durian for 10 days in a row……..got a bit sick of it on the last day as i wasn’t so exciteid to get my claws into the sweet meat! But now thinking back i love thailand durians….even in Uk when u buy durians from thailand it jus tdoesnt taste as good!! Love durian, and have to admit its my favourite fruit even if you do smell funny afterwards but i love the smell!! =)
And about the guest blog….what will it be on? =)
To the Durian Haters: foodrambler and Lizzie
Old gym socks, really? And the smell made you retch? Hehehe, always nice to see these reactions!
To the Durian Lovers: Anne, Tehbus, vivi (and Lizzie’s mum and sis)
Hehehe.. I love Thai Durians too, monthong!! Though, I’m aware of these crossbreed ones they do in M’sia and S’pore – talk about GM Fruits eh.
Vivi – you mean my guest blog for you ? You are the hostess, so I am at your bidding and will write anything you’d like me too. If you don’t really have anything in mind, then I’m happy to post a review at yours or I could compile an eating list, up to you anything you’d like
best way to describe durian is like a sweet Epoisses which is 10 times stronger. Creamy, runny, strong, pungent. I suppose Lizzie’s description ‘like old socks’ isn’t far from the truth since that same description has been used to describe Epoisses. TV presenter Matt Tebutt once described durian as ‘like having rotting maggots in my mouth’.
As for my preference – I am neutral in the sense that I don’t mind it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to look for it. As for the durians themselves, Malaysian ones are much better than Thai ones especially the cross breeds (D52) . Also Singapore don’t produce durians. The country itself is so small they barely have enough land for housing let alone agriculture. Most of the durians from Singapore comes from Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia.
g
G – By ‘do’ I meant sell. and dude D24 all the way.
ohh could you write about authentic taiwanese food?
^_^
I do go out of my way to find durians in London and I will even go to Thailand just for them. I love the fruit and don’t mind the smell at all. Well I only saw a few together at a time and did not understand what the fuss is about regarding the smell. But I guess in a hot country where thousands of them are together it can be an issue for some.
I went Malaysia and struggled to find anywhere that served it! When I visited Awana on Sloane Avenue I was surprised and excited to see a Durian Creme Brulee on the menu – it was good but quite sickly. Worth a try though!