The Exotic Durian Fruit
By Ms. Wu July 23rd, 2002
Greetings, fellow readers.
I have long heard of the durian fruit. Omnipresent in all Asian supermarkets and in street vendor carts in Chinatown, it’s spiky surface and rough brown skin stand out quite jarringly next to the succulent sweet shape of peaches, lychees, and mangos. Not to be mistaken with the “Ugly Fruit” that one sometimes sees in supermarkets, the durian fruit’s reputation proceeds its taste. So fetid it is that in some countries it is banned from public places and transportation vehicles.
Often likened to the stench of sewers or an oven gas-leak, the taste of the durian fruit has also been likened to the taste of a woman’s “lotus flower.” I have met a quite few men who have confessed their initial shock from the head-reeling foul-smell of a ripe durian exposed wide open in front of them. But almost all the men developed a monomaniacal craze for that “special durian taste.” I just can’t get enough of it, one said to me in confidence. It’s just like WOMAN, the other said with emphasis. And as these men described the taste of the durian to me, a mist would glaze over their eyes so full of lust and wanton as if the mere thought of the durian itself is titillation enough.
I myself have never tasted a durian, but I have used it as a way of measuring a man’s worthiness of my lotus blossom. One can tell many a thing from how a gentleman caller consumes the fruit. Some gently nibble and lick like a tender pup who is not worthy of a second glace. Others may prod a bit with their mouths without passion. And there are those who truly devour the durian like a wily adventurer parched from his long travels in the unforgiving Mongolian desert. Those are the ones to keep around.
Til next time learn about the durian,
Ms. Wu
Rob says:
July 4th, 2010 at 1:27 am“And there are those who truly devour the durian like a wily adventurer parched from his long travels in the unforgiving Mongolian desert. Those are the ones to keep around.”
Haha! Nice post on many levels, check out K.L Malaysia or Singapore they eat Durian like a fat kid eating cake
Chris says:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:39 amGreat post. I find myself remembering it with a rotting flesh smell, but an amazingly broad range of flavor. You gotta try it. Definitely worth the effort!
Jessie says:
August 4th, 2010 at 4:20 amI picked up some frozen durian at the Asian supermarket one day, having heard it was a delicacy. But once I opened it up -OMG. That was the worst smell I have ever experienced in my life.
I tried to overcome the smell and eat it anyway, since I had paid so much for it. It was like spicy pineapple ice cream. I made it through two bites before I tossed the rest. I had to take the trash out right away and then spray the whole apartment with Febreze.
But then again, I don’t like the taste of “woman” either. Maybe there is a correlation. :p
LordAutumnBottom says:
August 7th, 2010 at 3:13 amDurian, for the record, tastes like pure evil. I’d rather drink castor oil out of a marathoner’s shoe post race than eat another bite of that wretched fruit. It’s illegal to bring them on trains throughout South East Asia which is a testement to their horrid smell and even worse flavor. Seriously, the first time I saw someone selling them I thought it was organ meat, which is not a trait I look for in fruit. The only thing that powering down a durian proves is that your gentleman caller has no sense of taste.
Frank Luo says:
August 7th, 2010 at 11:58 amI ate it while in Thailand. It smelled like old gym socks and garbage water — you know, the liquid that collects on the bottom of the garbage can or bag when you haven’t emptied wet garbage from it for a while — but tasted a little like very bland ice cream.
It wasn’t all that bad, but it is definitely not something I’d seek out.
Ria Clarendon says:
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:43 pmThis is to die for. Beautiful and very yummy! I like your recipes!