Durian is a distinctive tropical fruit that resembles a sea urchin and is mostly found in Asian nations, where it is known as the "king of fruits." As a result of its gigantic size (about 1 foot in length), weight, and the vast amount of edible meat it contains, it has earned the title of "king of fruits." Most people either like or despise durian from the moment they take their first bite. A Creamsicle-like sweetness and buttery texture characterize the fruit's texture, which may remind you of a Creamsicle. Durian may be eaten raw or cooked, and it can be used to produce a variety of sweets.
Its most peculiar characteristic is that it emits a pungent odor that is so offensive that it is prohibited from most public locations in Southeast Asia, including hospitals and railway stations. If you're traveling in Southeast Asia, it's usually amusing for Westerners to see a "no durian" sign displayed beside a "no smoking" one!
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Shopping for Durian
Thailand is the world's leading exporter of durian, which can be found at Asian markets and Asian grocery shops across the globe, including the United States. For overripeness, look for light-colored spikes with no dark brown patches or white flecks between the spikes, which indicate that the fruit has become too ripe. Durian fruit freezes well, and it is often exported and sold frozen in markets across the world. Refrigerate or store your durian until you're ready to consume it.
Make a Cut in the Top of the Durian
To chop the durian fruit, start by placing it on a clean cutting surface with the stem side facing down. Remove around 3 to 4 inches of skin off the top of the durian by cutting through it with a broad, sharp knife. As you cut, use your other hand to draw back the skin, as indicated in the illustration.
Pull-Apart the Skin
Now you may put your knife down and open the durian with your hands instead. Skin rips rather readily in this situation. (Just make sure you don't poke yourself in the eye with the spikes.) You should be able to fully open the durian at this point. Place the two pieces on a cutting board and cut them in half.
Remove the Fruit
Remove the huge "pods" of fruit from the pan using a spoon (or your hands). Place the fruit on a platter and set it aside.
Remove Stones From Fruit
It is preferable to remove the stones before eating or presenting the dish. It is traditional in several Southeast Asian nations to boil or roast these stones before eating them.
Open the other sections by slicing them open
Use your knife to cut along the seam along the middle of the interior "shell" and you'll discover additional chunks of fruit.
Removing Additional Sections
Remove the remaining bits of fruit off the plate using a spoon or your fingers and place them on top of the plate.
Hand-Washing Instructions
Working with durian might leave your hands smelling like durian for the rest of the day. Here's some advice: Running hot water through (or in and around) the durian skin produces a very mild lye solution, which, when mixed with soap, aids in the removal of the odor from the fruit.
Taking Advantage of the Fruit of Your Labor
It's no surprise that many of the recipes for durian come from Southeast Asia, where the fruit is cultivated as tropical fruit. Try Laotian sticky rice with durian, a delightful delicacy created with coconut milk that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Alternatively, you could make your own durian-flavored ice cream, which would be a welcome departure from vanilla.
The most advantageous aspect of durian is that it is very nutritious, including high quantities of vitamins and minerals. It is unusual among fruits in that it includes the B-complex vitamins, making it particularly beneficial for vegetarians and vegans who are unable to consume animal products. It also has a lot of dietary fiber and is high in vitamins C, potassium, copper, and magnesium, to name a few nutrients.
