What Does Durian Fruit Taste Like? Does Durian Fruit Taste Good?

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “What Does Durian Fruit Taste Like?”.

A fruit from Southeast Asia, durian comes from that region.

There’s a strong, musty smell, as well as a sweet, onion-like taste.

This fruit has a creamy texture with many seeds of about 1 cm diameter dotted through it.

The durian tree can be grown on a patio or in a garden in temperate climates.

What durian fruit is, how durian tastes, and how to properly consume it are discussed in this article.

What is Durian Fruit?

Durian Fruit is likely something you have never heard of before, or if you have, you probably ate it after someone dared you.

Many countries have banned the fruit from public transportation because of the unpleasant odor it emits.

Known natively to Indonesia and Malaysia, the durian fruit is produced by the Durio zibethinus tree.

Over 400 years ago, durian crops were cultivated in these parts despite being an invasive species.

Some estimates place the total number of trees in the region today at around 50%.

The harvest of this crop does not correspond to a specific season, but can be found at your local grocery store or farmer’s market all year long.

Upon ripening, Durian Fruit resembles an oversized green soccer ball while inside its shell is creamy white or yellow custard-flavored.

The spikes of the outer shell are razor-sharp, so gloves are helpful when picking them up.

An individual durian has five lobes containing edible inner flesh that varies in color from white and creamy when it’s immature to dark yellow and deep when it’s ripe.

The durian can be eaten as a whole or used in desserts or for fillings in cakes.

Health and Nutritional Benefits of Durian Fruit

Fruits like durian are said to be the kings of fruits.

Despite its popularity in many Asian countries, it has a pungent smell that some people dislike.

There are a lot of vitamins K and A in durians; minerals like iron and calcium; omega-3 fatty acids; and protein.

Various conditions linked with oxidative stress, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and skin inflammation, can be prevented with durian fruit’s high levels of antioxidants.

Aside from their anti-inflammatory properties, durians’ nutrients also prevent cholesterol deposits from clogging up your arteries.

Even damage from sun exposure or aging cells can be repaired with antioxidants.

Due to its vitamin C content, durian can also keep you healthy all year long by promoting a strong immune system.

In addition to being high in potassium, durian also prevents heart attacks by controlling blood pressure.

You receive all the nutrients your body needs, including fiber, vitamin A, magnesium, and copper, from it.

As a result of durian’s fiber content, weight loss is enhanced and constipation can be prevented.

Likewise, the low sugar content of this fruit can benefit those with diabetes and blood sugar disorders.

What are the ways you can take advantage of these benefits? Eat durian fruit as a snack or meal throughout the day – put fresh slices on yogurt for breakfast, mix chopped durians with milk in an oatmeal shake.

Is durian illegal in the US?

Its stinky smell makes many countries ban the fruit, so people are surprised when they discover how delicious it is.

Despite being legal at the federal level, local laws may still prohibit their sale or consumption depending on where you live, which can make finding one quite tricky if you don’t know the rules.

Varieties of Durian Fruit

The durian fruit comes in many different types and varieties.

The texture and flavors of fruit can differ depending on where it is in its ripening process.

Additionally, durians possess a pungent smell, which some people find appetizing or repulsive.

There are many different varieties of durian, but the most popular is the Mao Shan Wang:

1. D101 – Mildly sweet &, Buttery

The taste of D101 is mildly sweet and buttery, with a light creaminess.

Besides its soft texture, it has a low bitterness level.

As a result of their proximity to the sea, these Durians tend to be milder than those grown in Pahang, making them less acidic and less resistant to pests.

2. D13 – Fragrant, sweet, sticky

Durians D13 has a very intense sweetness level and are sticky in comparison to other Durians.

People who like to eat them with sweet sauces or syrups often consume those with a medium bitter taste.

3. Tekka – Sweet, floral

Despite its sweeter flavor, tikkas are more acidic than D13, which gives it an astringent flavor when unripe.

As soon as this type of durian is ripe, it has a strong fragrance similar to roses and flowers, making it popular among women because it masks bad breath for up to six hours after consumption.

At first, it’s somewhat sour, but then gets mellowed out and becomes sweet again.

4. D24 Sultan – Bittersweet, creamy

Durians of this type are also called Sultan Durians by locals in Penang because of their popularity.

As you chew it, its flavor becomes very creamy and it tastes rich and slightly sour. It is often eaten with honey or sugar.

It is even sometimes eaten raw without cooking it first since boiling makes it smell unpleasant.

The sweet aroma of the D24s may mislead some people to think it is another, more expensive kind of durian.

What Does Durian Fruit Smell Like?

Fruits with a pungent smell such as durian are considered to be among the most pungent because of their strong, sweet, and slightly rotten smell.

The smell intensifies when the fruit is peeled or cut open.

The smell of durian makes many Westerners gag because many Asians find it to be a delicacy.

Those who describe durian fruit as “stinky,” “rancid butter,” and “sharp cheese” frequently use these words.

It is compared to animal waste or burned tires in some cultures.

There’s a peculiar smell to it that some people find off-putting.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that durian fruits aren’t allowed on public transportation, in hotels, or schools.

What Does Durian Fruit Taste Like? Does Durian Fruit Taste Good?

When locals go shopping for durians, they often sniff them first before making a buying decision.

Taste is usually better with durians that smell strongly. Durians are often described as being “creamy” or “rich”.

Although they are so light to eat because they are so small, they are also very tasty (some say eating one tastes more like indulging in a dessert than consuming a hearty meal).

Initially, they taste somewhat similar to vanilla ice cream; however, this sweetness soon dissipates, leaving behind butter, licorice root extract, and roasted nuts – almost anything savory.

Either raw or cooked, the flesh of the durian is eaten.

Aside from its culinary uses, this herb also has medicinal properties, including the ability to reduce high blood pressure and fever.

How to Eat Durian?

Here’s what you do to enjoy your durian experience with as little hassle as possible.

Durian fruit can be cut open by using the following methods:

2. Newspapers should be spread over your workspace.
3. Observe how the durian shell overlaps in several places.
4. Praise the fruit as it’s being sliced, then use a sharp knife to dig into the seams.
5. Continue opening each section of the fruit until the entire fruit has been opened.

Its edible part is an ovoid and berry-like pod in the middle of each wedge.

Durians have a custard-like texture, so they can easily be torn apart and eaten with your hands.

You should consume durians right away after opening them because they spoil rapidly in warm weather and if left uncovered.

How to Store Durian Fruit?

When storing durian fruit, it is essential to consider the environment.

Due to their sensitivity, durians should be stored at a low humidity level and a stable temperature.

Optimal temperatures for storing durians are 55-76 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity around 70%.

Since sugar may attract pests such as ants and flies, fruit should be stored in a place where it will not attract these pests.

For the best taste and freshness, the fruits should be served chilled.

They can, however, also be frozen for use at a later date.

Imagine you do not intend to eat all of your durians at once or you do not need to consume so much sugar all at once.

It would be best to freeze them to maintain their quality longer than simply storing them in the refrigerator or without any preservation methods.

There is a strong odor associated with durian at room temperature.

Before refrigerating or freezing durian, put it in an air-tight container to prevent the fruit’s natural smell from leaking into your refrigerator.

Where to Buy Durian Fruit?

A delicious fruit infamous for its reputation, the durian is not for everyone.

Some people are not afraid to try the stinky durian since they’ve heard of it, but others don’t know where to find one in their local grocery store.

There are many Asian supermarkets and specialty stores such as Trader Joe’s that sell the fruit in the United States.

You can buy them whole and cut them isisnto slices before you eat them, but if you don’t want to eat the fruit you can also buy durian ice cream or cakes.

Typically, they are positioned near other fruits and vegetables, such as mangos or pineapples.

A plastic wrap should be placed around them before selling them whole to prevent any hint of odor from escaping to the store.

Conclusion

Do you know what durian fruit tastes like? For those who love its innovative, robust flavor, this delicacy is a boon.

Southeast Asia and Malaysia are home to durian trees, considered the king of fruits.

There was a strong onion smell and taste, but it was sweeter than anything on earth.

The intense flavors that are coming through in every bite have blown my taste buds away, but some people’s noses pucker up just at the smell, so they disagree with me.

If you want to make a judgment about durian fruit, you must try it for yourself.

If you want to read more about cooking, read here: Cooking Tips and Tricks.