Have You Ever Had Durian?
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (177809)
United States
October 8, 2023 8:03am CST
Durian is an edible fruit native to Borneo and Sumatra. Some regions call Durian the "king of fruits". It is large, has a strong odor and a thorn-covered rind. It can be 12 inches long, 5.9 inches in diameter and weigh 2.2 to 6.6 pounds apiece. It can be oblong to round and green to brown in color. The flesh of the fruit can be pale yellow to red, depending on the species.
Some people find the odor pleasant; some find it disgusting. Some hotels and public transportation services in southeast Asia have banned the fruit due to the smell. The inner flesh has been described as "a rich custard, highly flavored with almonds".
Durian's origin is thought to be in Borneo and Sumatra with the earliest known European reference to it being in the 15th century.
Have you ever had Durian? What did it taste like? What about the smell? Would you ever try Durian?
If I could get past the smell, I would be willing to try it.
Photo Credit:: Pixabay - Durian
20 people like this
23 responses
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
8 Oct 23
@LindaOHio Poor cats, I was sorry for them, but it was interesting to see their little face.
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105820)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Oct 23
Never had it. If I liked the smell I would try it
5 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
8 Oct 23
Me too. The custard part is supposed to be good.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (180362)
• United States
8 Oct 23
I have never had durian, but I am certain some of the Asian members have. I would try a small piece for sure.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
8 Oct 23
If I could get past the smell I would.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180362)
• United States
8 Oct 23
@LindaOHio You could hold your nose.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
8 Oct 23
@rebelann It's supposed to taste like a rich custard highly flavored with almonds.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
9 Oct 23
Yes I have had the misfortune l only put it on my tongue but immediately took it out. I could not get rid of the taste for many hours. I was left with the taste of deisel in my mouth & despite eating mints & drinking lots of fluid l could not get rid of the taste. It is banned on planes trains & buses. It is very popular throughout the Far East & sweets , desserts & ice cream are made with it.
Once you have tasted it you will never forget the horrible pungent smell. It smells like diahorrea. I can't imagine the first person who ever thought yummy diahorrea lets eat it!!!!!!!
4 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
9 Oct 23
@rebelann probably an acquired taste it is very popular in South Korea.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37101)
•
9 Oct 23
I tried to try it--does that even make sense? But the smell was sort of a mixture of rotten garbage, and dirty laundry.
Someone else can have my share.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
10 Oct 23
I heard that the smell was really disgusting. I can't imagine why it would be like that.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
11 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Oh my goodness! It must be REALLY bad. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37101)
•
10 Oct 23
@LindaOHio
A friend who was on a diet decided to try it. She didn't cut it open, smelled it, gagged, and didn't eat for 3 days. So, it's a good diet food, I guess. The smell is indescribable.. You just want to run far, far away.
2 people like this
@much2say (55514)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Oct 23
I have had it through an Indonesian friend. I knew about Durian, but didn't grow up on it - she filled me in all about it. Her family hated it when she'd cut one up - the family would run out the door 
. Anyway, she brought me a piece - plastic wrapped it a zillion times. I brought it home and carefully opened it up in the backyard (as if it were a bomb ). I honestly didn't think the smell was that bad, and it was on the soft side (that was the only time I had it - can't remember the taste exactly).
. Anyway, she brought me a piece - plastic wrapped it a zillion times. I brought it home and carefully opened it up in the backyard (as if it were a bomb ). I honestly didn't think the smell was that bad, and it was on the soft side (that was the only time I had it - can't remember the taste exactly).2 people like this
@much2say (55514)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Oct 23
@LindaOHio I know they sell them in the Asian markets . . . I just never buy them because I don't know how to cut it . . . plus there'd be so much of it.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
13 Oct 23
@much2say Yes, they're very large.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67705)
• United States
8 Oct 23
If Andrew Zimmern won’t eat it then neither will I.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67705)
• United States
8 Oct 23
@LindaOHio — he tried it three times on his Bizarre Foods show. He spat it out all three times.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
8 Oct 23
@FourWalls Oh, yeah. Andrew. Now I remember who he is. He ate a lot of crap.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50179)
• United States
8 Oct 23
I have heard of them, but never had one.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
9 Oct 23
I wonder if they carry them in the Asian markets here?
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Oct 23
I’m not opposed to trying it. I remember watching an episode of Uncharted on National Geographic where Gordon Ramsay had to eat Durian. It is not his cup of tea. 
Maybe it won’t be mine either.
Maybe it won’t be mine either.2 people like this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
10 Oct 23
@LindaOHio I’ve heard of him but not really familiar with what he does.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
10 Oct 23
Remember Anthony Bourdain? He loved it.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Oct 23
@LindaOHio oh no! A lot of that happening lately.
2 people like this
@ZedSmart (19787)
• Philippines
11 Oct 23
I have the same impression like what many have thought about this fruit but I now love it but of course eat in moderation though. It's in season during this time and it's cheaper. Now that you remind me, I think it would be better to buy some as there are vendors selling it on the streets here...
2 people like this
@zhangxueying (3340)
• China
9 Oct 23
I've tried durian before, it's quite expensive here, haha
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
10 Oct 23
Really? That's interesting. Did you like it?
1 person likes this
@zhangxueying (3340)
• China
11 Oct 23
@LindaOHio don't like it, it tastes strange
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
8 Oct 23
Yes, definitely not in a regular supermarket.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
8 Oct 23
I have never tried it but I would like to.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
9 Oct 23
Me too if I can get past the smell.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
8 Oct 23
new to me but I would try one
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
9 Oct 23
Good for you! My husband won't try anything new.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
10 Oct 23
lol Read Gary Marsh's comment. It was worse than an odor.
2 people like this
@pitsipeahie (5015)
•
9 Oct 23
Yes I eat the fruit but most of the times its the Durian flavored candies and pastries that I get to eat. And yeah, it smells bad. If you're not used to it you probably won't like it. I'd say its an acquired taste.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
9 Oct 23
I didn't realize that they made candies out of it. Thank you for commenting.
2 people like this
