| From: [email protected] (Andrew Lewis Tepper)
Subject: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
it smelled awful.
I'm always discovering great new produce at asian markets. Any
suggestions of other fruits to look for?
From: [email protected] (Bryan Siegfried)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
[email protected] (Thelma Lubkin) writes:
I've read that mixing durain and alcohol is
a bad idea. I don't remember quite what happens, I
think you get an awfully bad hangover out of it.
Incidentally, in Malaysia, durians are considered
to be an aphrodisiac, to wit "When the durians come
down, the sarongs go down".
From: [email protected] (Joanne Cook)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
A number of airlines in eastern and southeastern Asia refuse to permit
people to carry durians on board, so pervasive and appalling is the smell
.... the impact of a couple of durians in a crowded aircraft for a five hour
flight is probably best not contemplated.
From: [email protected] (Andrew Gollan)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In <[email protected]> [email protected] (Andrew Lewis Tepper) writes:
|I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
|and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
|world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
|rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
|pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
|like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
|friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
|it smelled awful.
I friend of mine likened it to "eating the best strawberries in the
world over a urinal". I can only get processed durian here, and the
smell is nothing like the reports, and neither is the taste (according
to experts).
From: [email protected] (Dave Rindos)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
[email protected] (Andrew Gollan) writes:
>I friend of mine likened it to "eating the best strawberries in the
>world over a urinal". I can only get processed durian here, and the
>smell is nothing like the reports, and neither is the taste (according
>to experts).
Well, in late winter and early spring FRESH durian is quite available.
In Northbridge (famous in many ways :{) ), the odour can be quite
noticable. For me, the best part is that while I find the smell pretty
horrid BEFORE I taste it, immediately upon taking a bite, what had
previously smelled bad, suddenly smells WONDERFUL.
From: [email protected] (Thanavat Junchaya)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Andrew Lewis Tepper) writes:
>I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
>and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
>world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
>rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
>pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
>like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
>friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
>it smelled awful.
If you have tasted fresh durian (not too ripe), you'll find that there
is no smell at all. And it is relatively firm, though someone may
prefer more ripe durian which is softer and has more smell. Durian at
asian grocery store also has been frozen which tend to make it soft,
almost cream-like which also have more smell. I don't think that
fresh durian are available in the U.S., though I heard that they are
available in Canada.
I guess that most durian come from Thailand (I don't know other
countries that grew them). If you have a chance to visit Thailand
during durian season, you'll find why someone rates durian as "King of
Fruit".
From: [email protected] (Arvind Mallya)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Dave Rindos) writes:
>[email protected] (Andrew Gollan) writes:
>>I friend of mine likened it to "eating the best strawberries in the
>>world over a urinal". I can only get processed durian here, and the
>>smell is nothing like the reports, and neither is the taste (according
>>to experts).
>Well, in late winter and early spring FRESH durian is quite available.
>In Northbridge (famous in many ways :{) ), the odour can be quite
>noticable. For me, the best part is that while I find the smell pretty
>horrid BEFORE I taste it, immediately upon taking a bite, what had
>previously smelled bad, suddenly smells WONDERFUL.
Here's what the Thais say about Durian "Smells like hell tastes like
heaven". Well I have smelled it but did not muster enough courage to taste
it though!! Did however try Durian ice-cream somehow it did not have that
strong smell.
From: [email protected] (Matt Hicks)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
>I guess that most durian come from Thailand (I don't know other
>countries that grew them). If you have a chance to visit Thailand
>during durian season, you'll find why someone rates durian as "King of
>Fruit".
For more info on durian (and some very enjoyable writing), see the
last issue of Outside magazine. David Quammen's "Natural Acts" column
deals with this fruit and its importance to theories of botanical
evolution. Not in a stuffy, scientific way, but in a very readable,
humorous style (as usual). You might have to visit the library to
get this issue--a new issue just hit the newsstands (cover story is
about bicycling; the new one that is). I'm sorry I can't tell you what
the month is--probably February '93, but it might even be March the way
magazines are published.
From: Mike King
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Andrew
Lewis Tepper) writes:
>I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
>and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
>world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
>rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
>pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
>like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
>friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
>it smelled awful.
>I'm always discovering great new produce at asian markets. Any
>suggestions of other fruits to look for?
Durian is pretty much an acquired taste but, I agree, once you get past the
smell the fruit is quite nice. For other fruits to try, how about jack fruit
(big, spiny things), toddy palm nuts, custard apples, sweet limes and star
fruit? These were big items in SE Asia. Incidentally, fermented toddy palm
juice can pack quite a punch for the unwary. Mike King.
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
Actually, fresh durian is available in many So./No. California Asian
markets.
>I guess that most durian come from Thailand (I don't know other
>countries that grew them). If you have a chance to visit Thailand
>during durian season, you'll find why someone rates durian as "King of
>Fruit".
I believe most (if not all) south east asian (Indonesia, Malaysia, etc)
countries grow them + Vietnam, too (?)
From: [email protected] (David Schwantner)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Andrew Lewis Tepper) writes:
>I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
>and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
>world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
>rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
>pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
>like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
>friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
>it smelled awful.
On a side note, I was once told by a Malaysian friend that it is illegal to
bring durian fruit into a public building (like a hotel or restaurant).
Don't know if it is true in Malaysia, anyone know??
From: [email protected] (William E. Aitken)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (David Schwantner) writes:
>In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Andrew Lewis Tepper) writes:
>>I picked up some "durian" at an asian market. It comes in a box, frozen,
>>and is about $8 for the 1 lb box. The reason that I claim this is the
>>world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
>>rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
>>pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
>>like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream. I have forced a few
>>friends to try it, and (most of them) loved the taste, but agreed that
>>it smelled awful.
>
>On a side note, I was once told by a Malaysian friend that it is illegal to
>bring durian fruit into a public building (like a hotel or restaurant).
>Don't know if it is true in Malaysia, anyone know??
Can't speak for Malaysia, but The smell of Durian juice is one
of my most vivid memories form my stay in Indonesia. I remember
that sitting in the coffee shop at the Hotel Indonesia, one always
knew that someone had ordered Durian juice, no matter where they were
sitting. On top of its horrific smell, there's also it's color to cotend
with. Being a fussy 11 year old, I never got the courage to actually
try Durian juice, now I wish I had.
Sigh
From: [email protected] (Matt Hicks)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
[email protected] (David Schwantner) writes:
>On a side note, I was once told by a Malaysian friend that it is illegal to
>bring durian fruit into a public building (like a hotel or restaurant).
>Don't know if it is true in Malaysia, anyone know??
David Quammen's Outside magazine article ("The Great Stinking Clue: In
search of a fruit called durian," Feb. 93) mentions that a sign on the
inside of his hotel room door said, "IT IS FORBIDDEN TO EAT DURIAN IN
THE ROOM. But one stroll down the corridor has told your olfactory radar
that, at this time of year, everyone's doing it."
He says of the fruit itself: "[The pulp is] creamy and slightly fibrous,
like a raw oyster that's been force-fed vanilla ice cream. There's also
a hint of almond. It tastes strange, rich, wonderful. It smells like a
jockstrap."
I guess eating durian will have to go on that list of things to do
before I die.
From: [email protected] (Glenn MacDonald)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
I've seen "fresh" durian in our local chinatown,
but as of yet, I haven't dared to buy one.
These always looked more like a mace (a nasty spikey club) to
me, than a "King of Fruits", as I had seen them advertised.
They were quite large, about the size of a young coconut,
very heavy (which made me hesitant to make the investment) and
covered with pyramid-like spikes.
How does one get at the luscious (and stinky) fruit inside?
What characteristics should one look for when purchasing to ensure
that a good quality durian has been chosen?
Are there any nasty parts that would be dangerous to ingest?
Now, my curiousity is raging and my tastebuds are anxious....
From: [email protected] (Petrina Chong)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
Mixing durian and alcohol is definitely a bad idea.
From what I gather from my relatives (all durian fanatics -- I
personally can't get near the stuff,) the alcohol causes the
durian to ferment inside your stomach, and a horrendous
chemical reaction occurs. I believe someone even told
me that the heat generated is enough to kill someone.
From: [email protected] (Lydia Visco)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]>
[email protected] (Barbara Hlavin) writes:
>>: world's strangest fruit is the smell: It smells horrible; a mixture of
>>: rotting garlic/onions, feet, clams. The disgusting smell immediately
>>: pervades the entire room. The taste, is absolutely fantastic. Almost
>>: like a rich almond/vanilla/hazlenut/? ice cream.
>
>Of course, there may be people in the world to whom such odors
>are irresistibly tantalizing...
Exactly, what may smell like yesterday's garbage in your culture, may be
considered the equivalent of fine champagne in another culture.
Conversely, fine champagne is valued by some cultures, but other's may
think it tastes like yesterday's garbage.
I am willing to try many things that are different to me, but once I had
the opportunity to try durian, an experience I will never forget. I
didn't know what it was, but it was on the dessert list at a Thai (I think)
restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, and never hearing of it before, I just
_had_ to try it.
The Thai waitress tried to dissuade me, but no, I just had to try it.
It came as a puree on top of a bed of steaming rice; it smelled like
rotten eggs and it tasted even more so. So much so that I couldn't even
brave swallowing my mouthful. My dinner partner and I quietly put a napkin
over the plate so as to keep the aroma from reminding our tastebuds of
what they'd just experienced. When the waitress returned (after what
seemed like an eternity), we both looked up at her rather sheepishly and
she knew we didn't like it. She comforted us by assuring us that not
everyone likes durian, herself included. Although we tried to assure her
it was our idea, she felt badly and brought us a nice warm tapioca dish with
corn in it. *Sigh* To this day I still feel kind of ashamed that I
couldn't handle durian.
From: [email protected] (Anthony A. Datri)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
I was once given a peice of durian-flavored candy. Those who gave it to me
were quite impressed that I finished it. I found it more reminiscent of
gasoline than anything else.
From: [email protected] (Dave Rindos)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
"Katherine M. Malinda" <[email protected]> writes:
>After reading all the posts about this fruit I want to know - What in
>the world does this fruit look like?
a bowling ball with the skin of a pineapple, but green.
....or maybe a green echnida with a crew-cut
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
From: [email protected] (Gary Heston)
[email protected] (Petrina Chong) writes:
> Mixing durian and alcohol is definitely a bad idea.
> From what I gather from my relatives (all durian fanatics -- I
> personally can't get near the stuff,) the alcohol causes the
> durian to ferment inside your stomach, and a horrendous
> chemical reaction occurs. I believe someone even told
> me that the heat generated is enough to kill someone.
Alcohol can't cause fermentation. I'd believe a chemical
reaction of some sort, or it acting like a catalyst in such
a reaction.
Yeast cause fermentation, and it'd be extremely difficult to
get enough fermentables and enough yeast in ones' stomach for
any noticable fermentation to take place; I believe the average
persons' stomach holds around one or one and a half quarts.
From: [email protected] (Sam Drake)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (David Schwantner) writes:
|On a side note, I was once told by a Malaysian friend that it is illegal to
|bring durian fruit into a public building (like a hotel or restaurant).
|Don't know if it is true in Malaysia, anyone know??
Malaysia is one of the most self-righteous police states in the world.
Spitting on the sidewalk is illegal in Malaysia. So yes, legislating the
locations in which fruit may be consumed is entirely in character for the
regime.
From: [email protected] (Tom Molnar)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
I bought some frozen durian in my local China town. I wanted to try the
raw fruit, but the clerk advised me not to buy the fruit since it would
be tough for me to tell when it was ready to eat. So I settled for
frozen durian. The taste of the durian is very nice and creamy. Must be
high in fat to be so creamy. The smell was not very offensive at all --
just unlike any other fruit I ever had. I could still "taste" the durian
for an hour after eating it. I really liked it. I'm certainly glad this
thread came up, otherwise I never would have tried it. I'll be buying
durian from the freezer more frequently.
So, what other exotic fruits are there? There was another fruit at the
Chineese market that was green, had small pyramid-like protrusions on it and
was shaped like a squashed and contorted mango. I was going to buy one, but
the clerk warned me away from it, as she did from the durian. The language
barrier prevented her from explaining why. Anyone know what this thing
might be?
From: [email protected] (Lennard J. Kong)
Subject: Re: Durian, The world's strangest fruit?
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Tom Molnar) writes:
>I bought some frozen durian in my local China town. I wanted to try the
> ...
>So, what other exotic fruits are there? There was another fruit at the
>Chineese market that was green, had small pyramid-like protrusions on it and
>was shaped like a squashed and contorted mango.
> ...
Durian sounds like a good candidate to make a milk drink with, in Trinidad
we make a lot of drinks consisting of a fruit blended with milk, for example
soursop and barbadine. There is even a drink called sea moss, which is made
from a type of seaweed which has been boiled then blended, also one of the
more popular is peanut punch which uses peanut butter. All very nice creamy
fattening and sweet drinks.(I forgot to add the banana punch also)
|