Durian

What Is Durian?

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, known for its hard, spiky skin. It is called the "king of fruits" in the region; it is one of the world's most controversial fruits, with both devoted fans and people who are put off by its smell.

Inside the skin, divided into several compartments, is a creamy, intensely scented, yellow-cream flesh. Its smell is generally described as a mix of onion, rotten fruit, and sweet custard; for this reason durian is banned from public transportation and hotels in many Southeast Asian countries.

Nutritional Value of Durian

Durian is one of the highest in fat and calorie content among fruits; 100 grams contains about 147 kcal of energy, 5.3 g of fat, and 3.8 g of fiber. It also carries notable levels of thiamine (B1) and potassium.

What Are the Benefits of Durian?

With its energy and potassium content, durian is a filling fruit that can be considered part of a balanced diet. Due to its high calorie count, portion control is important.

This information is general; durian is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. There is a traditional warning that consuming it together with alcohol may cause discomfort; it is worth being cautious about this.

How Do You Choose Durian?

Ripe durian is a fruit where the flesh inside can be felt shifting slightly when shaken, and a light scent emanates through its spines.

• If the stem is fresh and the skin has started to crack, the fruit is ripe.
• Feeling a slight sound/movement when shaken indicates the flesh inside has loosened.
• In Turkey it is generally sold pre-opened, in frozen pods; in this case the color should be bright yellow.

How Do You Store Durian?

Whole durian keeps at room temperature for 2–3 days. Opened flesh should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container due to its smell; freezing is the most practical method for long-term storage.

Using Durian in Cooking

Durian is most often eaten fresh, raw, scooped out with a spoon. It is also used in Southeast Asian desserts, ice cream, sticky rice desserts, and some traditional cakes.

How Do You Open Durian?

Following the natural lines on the skin, it is carefully split with a thick knife; the skin is then separated by hand or with the knife to expose the compartments inside.

How Do You Make Durian Dessert?

Durian flesh is combined with sticky rice and coconut milk to prepare traditional desserts like Thai-style "durian sticky rice"; it is also used in ice cream and cake filling.

Which Recipes Use Durian?

Durian is used in sticky rice dessert, durian ice cream, milkshakes, and some traditional Southeast Asian cakes. It is also eaten fresh on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does durian smell so strong?

Durian's strong smell comes from the sulfur compounds it contains; this smell may be pleasant to some people and unpleasant to others. For this reason, bringing durian into enclosed spaces is banned in many places.

How is durian eaten?

Once the skin is opened, the creamy flesh in the compartments is removed by hand or with a spoon and eaten directly. Its seeds can be consumed if cooked, but are not eaten raw.

Can durian be consumed with alcohol?

Traditionally, it is recommended not to consume durian together with alcohol; although definitive scientific evidence on this is limited, it is advisable to be cautious and avoid excessive consumption.

Where can durian be found in Turkey?

There is no domestic cultivation in Turkey; durian is generally sold as frozen pods at exotic fruit markets in large cities.

How is durian stored?

The whole fruit keeps at room temperature for a few days. Opened flesh should be stored briefly in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container due to its smell, and frozen for long-term storage.