7 Things You Didn’t Know About The Durian—The King Of Fruits

Photo Credit: Year Of The Durian

Talk about the King of Fruits to those living in Southeast Asia and they will immediately know that you are referring to durians. Widely known for its distinct aroma and flavour, durians are an acquired taste—you either fall in love with it at first bite or stay as far away from it as possible.

Those who enjoy it are able to appreciate the sweet and sometimes bitter flavours of the creamy flesh that can be found in different varieties of durians. Many durian lovers make special trips to Malaysia during durian peak seasons just so that they can indulge in this divine treat. On the contrary, there are others who find the pungent smell too overwhelming for their liking.

Whether you love it or abhor it, it cannot be denied that durians are a cultural icon in Southeast Asia. Here are 7 Things You Didn’t Know About The King Of Fruits.

Photo Credit: Hype

#1 IT IS THE SMELLIEST FRUIT IN THE WORLD

Highly regarded as one of the stinkiest fruits in the world, some people find the intense smell repulsive and likened it to the smell of gym socks and even gasoline—we can already hear fans of durian protesting.

Research from the German Research Center for Food Chemistry found that the combination of chemical properties found in durians is the reason for its strong stench.

#2 HOW DURIAN GOT ITS NAME

The term durian comes from a Malay word duri which means “thorn” or “spike”.

Photo Credit: JtheJon

#3 THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DURIAN

To the uninitiated, durians are not all the same even though they look similar on the outside. Different durian breeds vary in taste which is why it is important to know what you prefer before buying them.

The famous Mao Shan Wang has a bittersweet taste and comes in a bright yellow shade; Red Prawn and Green Bamboo are good options for the sweet tooth as it has a sweet aftertaste; XO is known for its slight alcoholic flavour and those who are just starting out on durians should try the D24 as it is milder in taste.

#4 DURIANS ARE NUTRITIOUS BUT HIGH IN SUGAR

Durians are a good source of iron, dietary fibre and vitamin C which helps in developing muscle strength, improving blood pressure and bowel movements. However, it is also rich in sugar so people who are diabetic should not overconsume.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

#5 DURIANS ARE BANNED ON SINGAPORE’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Although durians are highly popular for its strong aroma, it is precisely the same reason why it has been banned on MRTs and buses. Yes, it is against the law to bring the durians up onto public transports.

In fact, the famous sign has been making its rounds on foreign media.

#6 IT IS BELIEVED THAT DURIANS RIPEN AND FALL OFF ONLY AT NIGHT

This myth has been debunked by durian farm owners who clarified that durians fall throughout the afternoon till night time. So how did the story came about?

Due to the warm temperatures during midday, durians are more likely to ripen quickly and drop to the ground at night.

Photo Credit: William Cho

#7 THE SINGAPORE ESPLANADE STRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE A DURIAN

While the designer for the Esplanade did not intend for the structure to resemble a fruit, the unique architectural design has been termed affectionately by Singaporeans as the “durian”. The triangular spikes on the dome allow light to fall in naturally into the Concert Hall while keeping the heat outside.

It takes specially trained Rope Access Technicians about two months to clean the spiky domes by hand!