Tuesday, August 7, 2012

D/ABC Wednesday


D is for Durian

No visit to Davao is complete without eating this famous fruit, Durian.  Visitors often eat it on a dare.  The odor can be overwhelming---I had an urge to puke as the aroma hit my nose.  But the rich, sweet flavor, silky texture and consistency are unforgettable, even indescribable. 

Durian is eaten by hand, like jackfruit and marang.  Fresh durian is available in the markets all over Davao City, and it is widely known in Southeast Asia as the "king of fruits".  The edible flesh emits a distinctive odor, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact.  This is one fruit that you cannot eat in secret because the whole neighborhood would know if you're eating durian---they can definitely  smell it! Some people, like my mother, find durian fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting.



Durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family.  It contains high amount of sugar, Vitamin C, potassium, a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

British novelist Anthony Burgess writes that eating durian is "like eating raspberry blancmange in the lavatory".  While Anthony Bourdain, a lover of durian, describes his encounter with the fruit---"Its taste can only be described as...indescribable, something you will either love or despise.  Your breath will smell as if you'd been French-kissing your dead grandmother."

Pregnant women and people with high blood pressure are traditionally advised not to eat durian.

a vendor preparing our Durian
 I eat durian every chance I get.  I have also tried durian candy and durian ice cream.  Durian season in Davao starts in August until October. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday

13 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

maybe I'll try it...or not
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Leslie: said...

I thought smell and taste were closely connected so it seems odd that with a stinky smell, the taste could be so good! Not sure if I'd try it or not.

Leslie
abcw team

Jeanne, backyard neighbor said...

I have heard about this fruit just recently from a friend of mine. she said she could never get past the smell. You are brave. Very interesting.
xo Jeanne

Wanda said...

OK, I don't know if I would be brave enough to try it...Maybe if I held my nose! HaHa.

Very interesting...VERY interesting!!!

photowannabe said...

I have heard about the odor of the fruit and the love hate relationship with it.
The quotes you shared gave me a giggle.

Meoww said...

We saw signs that said no durians allowed in the subway in Singapore. I ate a durian cookie there but sadly couldnt taste or smell a durian...

MaR said...

I have heard/read about this fruit, it's not on my bucket list :)

D is for...

Sivinden said...

Very interesting! I've never heard about this fruit and thought it was small until I saw your last picture;)

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

I have never tried this nor have been near enough to smell it. What I can;t understand is the "flavour" versus the "smell". Flavour is made up of smell+taste. If something reeks horribly no matter what taste it is (i.e. sweet, sour, bitter or sour [+"savoury"]) I can;t be persuaded that it has a nice "flavour". Don't understand it! Maybe I'll just have to try durian!

Jama said...

Not my favorite fruits but I eat them occasionally. We get them almost all year long, being imported from Thailand and Malaysia.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Di pa ako nakatry ng durian. Catching up With ABC.

Daredevil Diva
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

joanne said...

how interesting! I remember the episode when Anthony Bourdain talked about the aroma and taste of durian....great post...love to learn

ChrisJ said...

Aaah! I was at first thinking I might try it until I read the two descriptions you quoted. Think I'll pass!