What Is Durian? (And How to Eat It)
Durian is a large tropical fruit with a hard, spike-covered husk and soft, custard-like flesh inside, known for a pungent smell that people either love or find overwhelming, and a rich, sweet, faintly savory flavor often compared to a mix of caramel, onion, and cheese.
More detail
Durian grows on tall trees native to Southeast Asia and can weigh several pounds, encased in a thick, olive-green to yellowish husk covered in sharp, cone-shaped spines. Inside, the fruit is divided into several sections, each holding a few large seeds surrounded by soft, pale yellow to golden flesh with a texture somewhere between custard and ripe avocado. The smell, which many describe as a combination of rotten onions, gym socks, and sweet fruit, comes from sulfur compounds in the flesh and is strong enough that many hotels, airlines, and public transit systems in Southeast Asia ban the fruit outright. The flavor itself, once past the smell, is rich and complex: sweet, slightly bitter, and savory all at once, with an almost alcoholic edge in very ripe fruit.
Where it's used
Durian is eaten fresh out of hand as a snack or dessert throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore, where it's sometimes called the 'king of fruits.' It's also used to flavor ice cream, candy, pastries, and sticky rice desserts, and the flesh is sold frozen or vacuum-packed for export to regions where fresh durian isn't available.
Substitutes
There's no true substitute for durian's specific flavor, but jackfruit offers a milder, sweeter tropical fruit experience with a similarly fibrous texture and none of the smell, which makes it a more approachable stand-in in desserts.
FAQ
Why does durian smell so bad?
The smell comes from a combination of sulfur-containing compounds in the flesh, which is why it's often compared to rotten onions or gym socks even though the fruit itself isn't spoiled.
How do you pick a ripe durian?
A ripe durian typically has a strong smell already noticeable through the husk, slightly softened spines that give a little when pressed, and a hollow sound when tapped; shaking it should reveal a slight rattle from the seeds loosening inside.
Is durian actually banned in public places?
Yes, many hotels, airports, subway systems, and buses across Southeast Asia post explicit signs banning durian due to how strongly and persistently the smell lingers in enclosed spaces.
Can you eat durian seeds?
Yes, durian seeds are edible once boiled or roasted and have a starchy, chestnut-like texture, though they're not eaten raw since raw seeds contain compounds that are mildly toxic.
How do you open a durian?
Look for the natural seams running along the husk, then wedge a sturdy knife into a seam and pry the sections apart by hand; wearing gloves helps since the spines are sharp enough to puncture skin.