The durian. Southeast Asians love it. Visitors, some do and others not so much. If there ever is an item that unifies an entire region, this is it. But the smell. And the taste. Well, the guys here love it. It is probably an acquired taste. But if you are already here, you might as well give it a go, right?

It is easy to see why the durian is dubbed the king of fruits. Its imposing figure and musk has definitely earned it that title! The fruit is native to Southern Southeast Asia (Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia) but its popularity has spread to just about every country in the region. The trees that the fruit grow on are huge, growing to about 25-50 meters tall. And the fruit itself is not small, weighing anywhere between one to three kilograms and measuring up to 30 centimeters long and 15 centimeters in diameter. The most distinguishing thing about the fruit is its spikes. This can be dangerous as it can draw blood. Because of this, durian cultivators wear hard hats when collecting the fruit.

Before taking a bite out of the fruit, let’s find out its nutritional value. The durian flesh is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, protein, as well as good fats and sugars. In other words, it is a healthy food! Many, however struggle to cope with the odor. For some it is heaven and for others, it is just plain disgusting. The smell is strong, that is for sure. So much so that some offices and public trains in the region ban it completely!

Give durian a go while you are in Southeast Asia. For your first time, maybe you should cover your nose while eating it. Then, after you have eaten it, it is fair to make a judgment.

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