Durian

History & Description:

Durian is a delicious, tropical fruit that tastes like a mix of butterscotch, vanilla, peach and pineapple all mixed together.  This fruit has a creamy texture which is considered the king of fruits in South East Asia.  This name comes from the Malay word “duri” which means thorn.  While it is ripening, durian can have a bit of an unpleasant odour which is short lived.  Durian has been enjoyed in South East Asia since prehistoric times and made its debut only 600 years ago in the western world.  Durians grow on trees and when the fruits are ripe, they fall to the ground.  The durian rind is a greenish, yellowish with tan brown sharp pointed spikes.  The rind is very tough which helps to protect the fruit when it is ripe and falls from the tree. 

Nutrition Highlights:

Durian fruits are a good source of vitamin C which is important to maintain a healthy immune system.  They are also a good source of potassium which is a beneficial mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure.   

Choosing & Storing:

To choose a durian, pick a fruit which is comparatively light and whose stem appears big and solid.  The fruit when tapped has a hollow sound.  If there is no hollow sound, then it is not ripe.  Shake the durian.  The best fruits have a sound of something moving inside, of fruit sections knocking at the shell.   To check for ripeness is easy since durians have a strong, but not sour smell. Finally, you can insert a knife and it should come out sticky.  Cut durians perish quickly so they should be consumed as soon as they are cut up.  Avoid fruit with holes as they may have worms.

Tips for Preparing Durian:

Durian fruit is used to add flavour to a variety of sweets such as traditional Malay candy which is known as ice kachang or rose biscuits which are known as dodol.  Durian is also added to ice cream, milkshakes and even cappuccinos.  Sambal Tempoyak is a Sumatran dish made from the fermented durian fruit, coconut milk, and a collection of spicy ingredients known as “sambal”.  Unripe durians may be cooked as a vegetable.  It is also minced with salt, onions and vinegar and is then called “boder”. 

Related Recipe(s)

Durian Cake