Durian: disgusting smell and great taste in one fruit. Durian

Unusual exotic durian fruit has a specific bad smell. This feature distinguishes the fruit from all other cultures. Scientists have not yet hypothesized what causes the flavor of durian. However, the king of fruits is revered by many fans for its delicious pulp.

The civet durian is oblong in shape, the diameter of the fruit is about 20 cm. The peel is covered with large spikes. This is a kind of natural protection of the plant from animals. The durian tree is distinguished by large shiny foliage and a massive trunk. It reaches a height of 40 meters. The plant does not bloom for long, during this period umbrella inflorescences are formed on spreading branches. In one night, they fall off, and the ripening of exotic fruits begins.

odorous, prickly and smelly fruit has soft edible flesh. Many gourmets appreciate it culinary taste. After cutting the fruit, 5 chambers can be seen. One of them contains seeds. The color of the fruit is light green or yellowish.

Selecting and storing durian

Choosing the most smelly fruit does not depend on its aroma. A foul-smelling product can taste delicious and delicious. From a large number Only 9 varieties of durian are recognized as edible.

The raw pulp of the product is a delicacy. Prepared from the pulp delicious food. The fruits can be preserved. You can only eat ripe fruits. If they are overripe, the flesh begins to taste bitter, and the taste deteriorates.

Exist special rules choice of durian:

the top of the fruit with a tail should have a more pronounced smell
the shell should have small cracks
when tapping on the peel, a dull gurgling should be heard
the ripe fruit has yellowish thorns with brown tips.

Durian is not stored for a long time. Basically, the fruit is immediately opened and its pulp is absorbed. Otherwise, the unpleasant smell will spread very quickly throughout the room. So that the pulp does not spread the smell, it is eaten immediately. The rind is used in industries for smoking fish. The smelly fruit of Thailand is not frozen or stored in fresh. Candied fruits and desserts are prepared from it.

durian season

Where durians grow is of interest to many people who are fond of exotic delicacies. The tree grows in Asian countries with a humid tropical climate. It is found in Malaysia, India, Indochina, Thailand. The civet species is very popular. The variety grows in Ceylon, Brazil and Africa. The plant bears fruit all year round.

On the Thai markets Durian can be found on sale from mid-April to the end of September. In season, it is also sold in supermarkets. Gourmets advise buying smelly fruit in Thailand from market vendors.

What does durian smell like?

Exotic durian and alcohol are not compatible. Alcohol compounds cause unwanted reactions from the body. In no case should you drink fruit pulp with an alcoholic drink. You may feel unwell and develop a heart attack. Alcoholic drinks can be consumed no earlier than 5 hours after the fruit.

A sample of the exotic fruit durian will not leave anyone indifferent. A very corrosive sweetish putrid smell is not to everyone's liking and can kill the appetite. However, in the countries of Southeast Asia, the fruits are very popular and durian is considered the king of fruits. For an unaccustomed European, it is better to use the product only fresh and only a few slices after opening the shell. This will avoid the occurrence of discomfort in the digestive organs, allergies and dyspepsia.

Durian is rightfully considered one of the strangest exotic fruits of mysterious Thailand. Having, to put it mildly, an unpleasant smell, he proudly bears the title "king of fruits." Where did such an honorary nickname come from, where amazing fruits grow, and we will find out other interesting details together.

Where does it grow

Durio zibethinus (the Latin name for the tree) grows not only in Thailand. For industrial purposes, trees are bred in India, Africa, Brazil, Sri Lanka and a number of other countries.

Durian is the fruit of a tree of the same name, belonging to the Malvaceae family. The tree grows tall, can reach a height of more than forty-six meters. True, only wild trees grow to such indicators, cultivated seedlings are constantly broken off and pruned.

The crown of the tree and the trunk are densely covered with bright green glossy leaves, during the flowering period the tree produces large white and strong-smelling flowers. These amazing flowers bloom at night and exude an intoxicating scent that attracts bats. It is the mice that pollinate the plant.

After the flowering period comes the period of fruit growth. On durian, they grow large - up to 20-30 centimeters in length. And the weight of one copy can reach four to five kilograms.

From above, the fruit is covered with a hard peel, which is also studded with long and sharp spikes and to get to delicious pulp- the shell must be broken. When fully ripe, the shell splits itself into five pieces. An exotic fruit can have flesh of different colors - from white to pink. The pulp is heterogeneous, large seeds are clearly visible in it.

What does durian smell like?

This question is asked by people who have heard a lot about exotic fruits but never tried them.

Indeed, the fruit (or rather, its pulp) has a sharp and persistent smell that cannot be called appetizing or even tolerable. Those who have had time to taste the fruits of durian describe the smell as a cocktail of the most unpleasant aromas - the smell of rotten fish, sewage, animal droppings. And some wits even compare the amber from the fruits with the smell of unwashed socks. Such a strong and unpleasant aroma was the reason why Durio zibethinus is strictly forbidden to be brought into public places - transport, hotels, airports.

But gourmets and connoisseurs know that the smell and taste largely depend on the variety, as well as on maturity. For example, the fruits of the durian tree Mera even smell delicious - fried almond nuts. However, the cebitin variety is still more valued - the owner of unbearable amber and divine taste.

What is the reason for such a strong and unpleasant smell exuded by durian?

There is a whole legend about the smell of fruits, according to which the once powerful and strong king fell in love with a young beauty. But his love was not reciprocated - the king was old. Then the lord decided to conquer the heart of the beauty with magic: he turned to the sorcerer and he gave him amazing fruit, saying that if a girl eats at least a piece of delicacy, she will definitely give her heart to the old king.

The king did just that: he invited the young beauty to dinner and treated her to the gift of a sorcerer. The magic worked: the girl fell head over heels in love with the old king. The lord's happiness was boundless, and he completely forgot to thank the sorcerer for his help. And he was angry at the forgetfulness of the king and cursed his own gift. When the lord again appeared for the magical durian in the witching forest, he was disappointed. Instead of a gentle and intoxicating smell, the king was greeted by an unbearable and unbearable stench. The beauty soon fell out of love with the old man and married a young and brave warrior.

Such is the legend of bad smell. But there is a scientific explanation for such a fetid amber. The pulp of an exotic delicacy contains organic sulfur in abundance.

Taste qualities

It is difficult to describe them in words. Some compare the taste of durian with the most delicate custard, someone says that its pulp is similar to creamy or vanilla ice cream. So, in order to understand and appreciate the taste of the king of fruits, you must definitely try it.

Attention! You need to eat only fully ripened, but not overripe specimens. Unripe fruits have a bitter, pungent and unpleasant taste.

Durian is eaten with a spoon, avoiding touching it with your hands, otherwise the fetid amber will be absorbed into the skin. It is almost impossible to wash off the smell - it will last for several days.

Even preliminary soaking of fruits in milk or saline solution, it is useless to ventilate or wash the room. For this reason, durian is recommended not to be stored for a long time, but to be eaten immediately after purchase.

Beneficial features

Durian is widely used in traditional Thai medicine. The fruit is given for fevers accompanied by high temperature, an ointment is prepared from the leaves of the durian tree skin diseases and allergies, the peel is used to prepare a decoction, which is given to women in labor for a quick recovery.

"King of fruits" is also valued for the abundance of antioxidants in the composition and as a natural aphrodisiac. It is used not only by folk healers: different parts of the durian tree are added to the composition homeopathic remedies world famous pharmaceutical brands.

Contraindications for use

Eating exotic with caution is necessary for hypertension. Also, she should not be abused by pregnant and lactating women: firstly, there are substances in the sweet pulp that are undesirable for consumption during these important periods of a woman’s life, and secondly, sweet fruit treat- the strongest allergen.

Durian is an exotic fruit bombacaceae, used mainly in Southeast Asia. The tree is evergreen, reaching a height of 50 meters. He is called " king of fruits and is infamous for its contrasting scent. It spreads a stench that resembles the smell of crushed garlic mixed with Mediterranean cheese and army socks. However, the off-flavour of the fruit is delicious, with a creamy texture and a soothing taste.

Durian, an exotic fruit native to Malaysia and Indonesia, is considered the "king of all fruits" in Southeast Asia. It is believed to have originated in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, and today, in addition to Malaysia, it also grows in Thailand, the southern parts of the Philippine Islands, New Guinea, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other Asian countries. The species is also cultivated in East Africa, very rarely in Latin and South America. Today, Thailand exports more than any other country. The fruit has been enjoyed in Southeast Asia since prehistoric times, however, it only became known in the Western world 600 years ago. The term D. is common to the tree and to the fruit of this fruit. The facts about the fetus D. are quite intriguing and funny. For example, the kings of Burma in the XVI century. they kept a staff of runners who were supposed to quickly deliver perishable fruits from the south of the country where they were grown.

It is also mentioned online that this fruit is grown in the northern and tropical parts of Australia. In this article you can read "".

Data

Appearance

The term "Durian" comes from the Malay word "duri" which means Thorn. This is because the fruit has a tough, thick, prickly skin that resembles that of a jackfruit.
The tree has oblong leaves 15-20 centimeters long, which are very fragrant. The tree grows up to 50 meters high and can last for centuries if it does not suffer from disease or soil erosion, etc. Most delicious fruits obtained from the oldest trees.
The tree begins to bear fruit after 4-5 years, from May to October. From hundreds famous varieties, Durio zibethinus is the most widely cultivated species for commercial sale.
This plant can be propagated through seeds or by grafting. Grafted trees begin to bear fruit after 4-5 years, however, you need to take seedlings from 15 years old in order to bear fruit. Seeds for cultivation must be planted fresh, as over time they dry out and lose their viability over time.
The fruits weigh up to 8 kilograms and can grow to a size of 30 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in diameter. The fruit has spines that are dangerous to touch. Externally covered with a brownish-green color.
The hard spines of the rind separate into 5 segments as they mature, thereby revealing a creamy white, pinkish and yellowish seedling around the large seeds. This seed is the edible part of the fruit.

What makes this fruit tasty and smelly?

Reviews about the fruit are opposite. There are people who just love it, and some people just hate it. This hate-love comes from the smell. One of the fun and interesting facts the fruit is said to "taste like heaven and smell like hell".
Another fact attached to him is that there is no other fruit that so many people loved and hated at the same time. An example is Singapore, where there are so many people who hate this fruit that the law prohibits passengers from getting on the subway if they are carrying this fruit. On the other side they built the Esplanade theater in the shape of a fruit.
The fruit smells like garlic or onions, at the same time too smelly feet. This smell caused it to be banned from hotels, planes and buses.
The taste of the fruit attracts people, despite the smell. Fruit taste is described in different ways different people. Some say it tastes like a mix white chocolate and bow. When renowned British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace tasted it for the first time in the 19th century, he commented on its taste as: “Rich, buttery – like custard with almonds, but mixed aroma cream cheese, onions, sauces and other smells. The more you eat it, the less you want to stop.” As soon as people learn to distinguish the depth fruit flavor, they soon become fans of this fruit.

Best time to select and consume it

Harvesting takes place after the fruit falls to the ground and waits for 2-4 days until it ripens, after which it is eaten. This is the time when the fruit will be the most delicious. However, after 5 days, the fruit loses its taste. Southern Thailand is an exception, where the fruits are harvested before they fall from the tree.
When choosing a fruit in the market, you need to go there in the morning. Fruits with large, young and firm stems are the best. When shaking the fruit, seeds should be heard. It means a sign of ripeness. The spikes should be hard and tough, but not brittle. Holes on the fruit indicate a worm infestation. So be careful when buying.
When exactly you eat the fruit depends on your personal preferences. If you like crispy fruit, then it is better to eat it fresh. But if you like the creamy and very fragrant taste of the fruit, you need to wait until it ripens until the peel opens.
The fruit is also sold frozen, which is recommended for beginner fruit lovers. This is because it stinks less and this great way for people to get an idea of the fetus. Trying the fruit fresh, you can forever dislike this fruit, which repels many people.
For people who cannot eat frozen fruit, there are sweets, ice cream, chips, jams, cookies, etc. with the taste of this fruit, which can be bought in the store.

Tales and myths

D. has interesting tales that characterize his scent. The tale tells of an ugly old King who, though strong, was unable to win the love of his young bride, who constantly ignored him. The king consulted a hermit who asked for three ingredients to be brought to him. The hermit gave a mixture of three ingredients, and asked the king to plant it in the palace garden, from which the D tree sprang. As soon as the princess ate the fruit of the tree, she was fascinated by the king. However, the king forgot to invite the hermit for subsequent celebrations. The hermit cursed D .. And the fruit changed its aroma to a rotten smell and a prickly surface appeared instead of smooth skin.

world festival

Thailand is the largest producer of this fruit in the world. This fruit is so popular in Thailand that a nine-day festival in its honor is held in Chanthaburi province in May. Chanthaburi province calls to have durian orchards in the world. You can learn about the rest of the fruits in this article "Fruits of Thailand - names".
In this festival, there is a parade, a carnival in which they compete in eating fruit and demonstrate various dishes out of him. Various local products also take part in the festival.
Durian cocktails are the most popular at the festival. In addition, at the festival, chips are made from it according to the technology potato chips. You can also try for free various varieties this fruit.

Is this fruit nutritious?

Because of the strong fruit, the question arises: "Is D. useful?". The beneficial properties of the fruit are quite high, so some people use it despite the smell.
The fruit is good source carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber and energy. He is also rich nutrients such as vitamins B, C and E, as well as amino acids. In addition, there is no cholesterol in D.'s fruits.
D. is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, and also increases the level of serotonin, thus lifting the good mood.
Another benefit of the fruit is that it has a high iron content, which helps to get rid of fungal infections such as thrush. It also helps increase libido. Is an aphrodisiac.

Other interesting fun facts about the fruit

Never burp after using D. The consequences will be terrible!
Never mix D. with carbonated drinks. This choice will make you regret!
Never leave D. in a car on a hot summer day, or even in a hotel room.
Never kiss your soulmate after drinking D. This can lead to sad consequences.
D. should not be left in the refrigerator, because everything will smell like this fruit, and you will eat smelly food for dinner.

Fresh fruit is very costly. A cheaper option would be to purchase frozen fruit. You can eat the fruit raw, or add them to various recipes. Another use of D. is in the preparation of ice cream, sweets, cookies and other confectionery. They are also added to various sauces. The seeds of the fruit are also consumed after boiling, frying or baking. The unripe fruits are boiled and consumed as vegetables. To date, there are no known side effects E. However, eating the fruit with alcohol can cause stomach cramps and dangerous flatulence. Durian of course amazing fruit that contributed to this such a polarity of the fruit.

Durian is one of the most unusual healthy tropical fruits in the world. His homeland is India, Indonesia, Thailand. Grown in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, India, Cambodia. The best fruits are grown near Bangkok. The benefits and harms of durian are not fully understood.

What does durian look like and where does it grow?

The name comes from Malay words, resulting in the phrase "prickly fruit". Indeed, durian is a large ball of oblong shape, yellow or greenish in color. The weight is up to eight kilograms, the diameter is up to thirty centimeters, it is covered with long pyramidal spikes. In the context of a durian, it looks like big nut divided into hemispheres. It consists of five chambers, with white streaks, each of which contains yellow or yellow-red flesh.

Nine of the thirty-four known species are allowed for consumption. Durian has benefits, but in some cases it can cause harm to the body, so you need to carefully study the composition and properties.

Taste and smell of durian

This useful fruit does not leave anyone indifferent. Taste qualities so ambiguous that everyone associates them with something individual. Most agree that the taste of durian is similar to gentle cream from milk and eggs. For many, it is a favorite fruit, others cannot be in the same room with it.

This is due to the specific smell. Despite all the benefits, because of the unpleasant aroma, many do not dare to try.

This property is explained chemical reaction sulfuric acid and oxygen when cut. The smell does not come immediately, it takes several minutes for the elements to interact. Compare the smell emitted with sewerage or stale socks.

Important! In countries where healthy fruit is common, it is forbidden to take it with you on a plane and to a hotel, as an unpleasant aroma does not disappear. for a long time and is not masked by air fresheners.

At the same time, this unpleasant fact does not cause any harm to the human body. Rather, on the contrary, a strong smell speaks of maturity and the focus of benefits.

For the same reason, durian is exported in dried or canned form.

The chemical composition and calorie content of durian

Possesses huge amount beneficial properties for humans. The calorie content is high, about 147 kcal per 100 g.

water - about 60 g;
proteins - 1.5 g;
fats - about 5 g;
carbohydrates - about 23 g;
fiber - about 4 g;
ash - 1 g.

The composition also includes useful micro and macro elements:

potassium;
calcium;
magnesium;
phosphorus;
sodium;
iron;
manganese;
zinc;
copper.

Durian is a storehouse of useful vitamins: A (beta-carotene), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), C (ascorbic acid).

The composition does not contain elements that are harmful to the body. The benefits are huge for many organs and systems.

What is useful durian

The benefits of durian for women and men are beyond doubt, it has unique properties, can have a beneficial multifaceted effect on the body.

Is the only edible fruit containing organic sulfur. it useful element, which is part of the cells of human hair, skin, nails, as well as nervous, bone and cartilage tissues of organs, proteins and some hormones. As a component of insulin, sulfur provides a balance of blood sugar, which is useful for patients. diabetes. It also fights aging, promotes the removal of toxins, has natural anthelmintic, antiviral properties.

Due to the high content of minerals, it benefits the cardiovascular, nervous, immune systems. In addition, it has bactericidal properties.

Thanks to high calorie and fiber content, very nutritious. It quickly saturates the body, and the feeling of hunger recedes for a long time.

It does not contain cholesterol, so it can be consumed without fear by those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle.

Durian has particular benefits for women. Due to the content of the hormone estrogen, it increases the chances of getting pregnant and bearing a healthy baby.

Benefits of durian for men

In addition to the general beneficial properties for women and men, the latter provides invaluable assistance in restoring and maintaining sexual function. It is an excellent aphrodisiac. Thanks to the hormone estrogen, it restores and increases potency, improves sperm quality and sperm activity.

Can pregnant women eat durian?

Extremely useful, but pregnant and lactating women can be harmful, so they need to be treated with caution.

There is no categorical prohibition. A woman carrying a child can herself assess her condition and the opportunity to taste the fruit. Useful properties will bring benefit to her and the baby. But if the pregnant woman suffers from edema and high blood pressure, can be harmful and exacerbate problems.

How to Eat and Peel Durian

Despite the variety of forms (dried, jam), fresh raw pod has the most useful properties. Only fully ripe fruit should be consumed immediately after opening. To do this, you need to cut the durian into several parts, the pulp is easy to extract. You can do this with your hands or a spoon, as it will be difficult to get rid of the smell. The indigenous people of Thailand eat with salted water. For more detailed instructions for cleaning durian, see the video:

What is dangerous durian

Possessing many useful properties, in some cases it can cause serious harm to health. Therefore, there are a number of contraindications for use:

individual intolerance to the components can lead to allergic reactions;
it is forbidden to eat for people suffering from hypertension, as it increases blood pressure;
period of pregnancy and lactation;
the simultaneous use of durian and alcohol is prohibited and extremely dangerous.

Durian and alcohol

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to combine the use of alcohol and durian, this can cause great harm to the human body.

Durian in cooking

Useful properties, as well as its delicate taste provided consistent use in a variety of recipes.

Cocktails, ice cream and jam are prepared from it.
It is also used to make a specific dessert popular in Thailand. It consists of glutinous rice, which is doused with coconut syrup and sugarcane juice. It has pieces of durian added to it.
No less we love durian dodol. This kind of pie is a hardened baked mass of durian pulp, glutinous rice, sugar and coconut milk.
The seeds are used as a seasoning.
In Indonesia, mint sauce is prepared from the pulp, which is served with rice.
Use in fried as a side dish for meat.

What is the difference between jackfruit and durian

Jackfruit in Thailand is no less popular than durian. This is also an extremely useful fruit, which has a specific smell and a whole range of useful substances and elements. But the difference between them is great.

These are the fruits of completely different trees. Jackfruit grows on breadfruit tree, the fruits are huge, weighing up to thirty kilograms. In the process of growth, it is covered with green thorns, when ripe, these thorns become less pronounced. Ripe jackfruit has a gray-brown color. Its seeds are used for food, they contain milky juice, which is very difficult to wash off from skin and clothes.

By appearance are also different. If the durian pulp is two large oblong halves, the jackfruit seeds are small, randomly located inside the fruit.

How to choose a durian

Ripe fruits are the most useful. To choose the maximum ripe fruit, you need to know what characteristics it should have:

to the touch it should be soft, but also elastic at the same time; kinks in one direction and the other indicate immaturity or overripeness;
the spikes must be mobile, otherwise it indicates immaturity;
when tapping, a dull sound should be heard;
an unpleasant odor should not be distinct;
color can be green or yellow;
the fruit should not be peeled, as it has a short shelf life;
the surface should be free of stains and damage.

How to store durian at home

Peeled durian is not stored, it must be consumed immediately, otherwise everything will be lost. beneficial features. And in an uncleaned form, it can lie for two days at room temperature, in the refrigerator - up to five days.

To prolong the shelf life of durian, they make a kind of dried fruit out of it. But for this, the pulp is not just dried, but marshmallow is made - this method allows you to save the benefits and taste.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of durian are incomparable. Due to the content of a large number of useful substances and elements, durian has a beneficial effect on all systems of the human body. It will not cause any harm if you use it wisely, follow all the rules, abstain from alcohol.

All about the exotic Asian fruit - durian. What is this exotic and how it is eaten and what. What are the beneficial properties of durian and what harm can it bring to the body. Pulp calories and useful vitamins with micronutrients.

The content of the article:

Durian is a tropical tree of the Malvaceae family. The name durian was born in Malaysia (translated as "thorn") with the suffix -an. The French call it durione, the Germans call it Durianbaum or Stinkfrucht. For over 600 years, the fruit has been cultivated in Malaysia, Indochina, India and southern Thailand. Very rare - in South and Latin America. It grows mainly in humid tropical lowland climates. Of the 30 varieties of plants, only 9 are edible. Each variety has a unique taste and aroma. Only Durio zibethinus can be found in stores.

Durian is an evergreen tree with spreading branches. These giants reach a height of up to 40 m. The leaves are leathery and shiny, arranged alternately, pointed. Their upper side is smooth, and the lower side is covered with fleecy scales. On the trunk and hanging branches, compressed semi-umbrellas of flowers are formed, the calyx of which has only three petals and resembles a bell in shape. It blooms for only a few hours: white, pink or golden brown flowers have a heavy sour smell, open at dusk and fall by dawn. The main period of fruit ripening is from the beginning of spring to the end of summer.

Fruits of spherical shape (often slightly elongated) develop on trunks and branches and reach a diameter of up to 30 cm and can weigh up to 10 kg. The fruit, green on the outside, has a rough fibrous structure and a hard shell, which is densely covered with pyramidal spines.

Inside the fruit boxes are shiny seeds, ranging in size from 2 to 6 cm. Their color is from red-brown to pale yellow. The flesh is thick, creamy yellow. The unripe fruit smells... like fresh grass. But the more it matures, the more peculiar it becomes, turning into a very corrosive, sweetish-putrid.

because of bad smell in Asian countries, it is sometimes forbidden to bring durian into public places, for example, in transport, in some hotels, shops, etc. There is even a special warning sign for tourists - durian, crossed out with a red line. This means that entering the premises with exotic fruit forbidden. After all, its “aroma” for a long time cannot be removed even with the help of cosmetics. In Thailand, this exotic is forbidden by law to take out of the country, this is reported at airports. Do not even try to do this, otherwise there may be big problems later. Eat it there at the resort, as it is considered the No. 1 fruit in Thailand. Though "hellish" stinks of hydrogen sulfide, but delicious!

There is a beautiful legend about the origin of this fruit.

Many thousands of years ago there lived a king in Asia. He fell in love with a beautiful girl who did not reciprocate. Then he turned to the magician for help. He gave a magical fruit with a marvelous aroma and a charming sweet taste. The girl tasted the fruit and immediately fell in love with the king. And the ruler was so delighted that he completely forgot to thank the magician. The wizard became furious and cursed these wonderful fruits. When the king came to the garden for a new "fruit of love", he saw a prickly, stinking fruit on a tree. Angry, the king threw it on the ground, but, splitting, the inside of the fruit turned out to be just as tasty as before. That is why the king named it "durian".

Durian is often referred to as the "King of Fruits" because of its unique taste. And for good reason - the taste of ripe fruits is exceptionally good: it has sweetness, rich, like custard, vaguely reminiscent of papaya and vanilla. Choose a little soft pulp, do not take a very hard one - it is not ripe. The unripe fruit is almost tasteless, if the fruit is overripe, then the flesh begins to taste bitter. For true gourmets Durian is a real delicacy. It's believed that eat it immediately after opening: this is the only way to feel the whole flavor bouquet.

Eat durian with your hand, breaking and removing the pulp. Although, it is much more convenient to use a spoon (it is difficult to “wash off” the smell that has ingrained into the skin). Locals drink the fruit with salted water. Usually, it is poured into an empty bowl-shaped half of the shell. Very popular in Thailand are durian pieces, which are marinated in coconut milk and are served at the table. And pies with such a filling will obviously not leave indifferent even the most fastidious eater!

In addition, durian pairs perfectly with coffee and gourmets consider this breakfast one of the most sophisticated culinary delights. Also in Thai cuisine its pulp is added to mousses and ice cream, jam is prepared.

If the fruit is not ripe, then it is used as a vegetable: cut into slices and fried or stewed with spices. And from durian and pumpkin, Thais prepare pasta, which is used as a spice. Sayur, (this is an Indonesian fresh fish soup), the red pulp of the durian gives unique taste and aroma. The seeds are not thrown away, but roasted and consumed as a condiment. Same way, locals boil the pulp with the addition of sugar and preserve it.

Video: how to cut, carve and eat:

Ingredients: vitamins and minerals

The fruit is very rich in vitamins, fats, carbohydrates (27.09 g) and proteins. On the other hand, the pulp of the fruit contains vitamin C (19.7 mg - about 33% of the required daily allowance), carotene, B vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, folic acid), nicotinic acid and essential minerals: iron, phosphorus and calcium.

It also contains indole, thanks to which durian has not only a terrible smell, but also bactericidal properties. And yet, durian is the only edible fruit containing organic sulfur, which is valued for its ability to remove toxins from the body. In addition, it is a component of proteins and hormones, it is present in the cells of the nervous and bone tissue, hair and skin. High content sucrose and fructose make fruit valuable source energy.

durian calories per 100 g of pulp is 147 kcal:

Proteins - 1.47 g
Fats - 5.33 g
Carbohydrates - 23.29 g
Water - 64.99 g
Dietary fiber - 3.8 g
Ash - 1.12 g
Cholesterol - 0 g

Useful properties of durian for the body

Durian is very satisfying, a fruit that instantly satisfies hunger. But the inhabitants of Southeast Asia not only feast on them, but also use them in folk medicine.

The leaves of the plant contain hydroxytryptamine and mustard oil. Therefore, they are used as an effective antipyretic for infectious and colds. Baths with durian leaves help with bile spills. The pulp of the fruit is an excellent anthelmintic, and the seeds help in the treatment of diarrhea. The roots of the plant are used as an antiviral agent. Combination minerals, vitamins, amino acids and sulfur, can increase the protective functions of the body. But perhaps the most wonderful property this exotic plant- is the ability to increase potency. Folk beliefs even attribute rejuvenating power to durian.

Video about the benefits of durian:

Harm and contraindications of durian

It is strictly contraindicated to eat durian for people suffering from increased blood pressure and patients with hypertension.

Durian cannot be combined with alcoholic drinks : this may cause severe poisoning with subsequent complications. It is also not recommended for women during pregnancy and lactation. Durian is also contraindicated in case of individual intolerance by the body.

In all other cases, eat it to your health!