Garbage fruit
(The piece of Durian I tried: Bangkok)
Apparently the Durian is out of season at present, though due to its popularity, I think it is grown all year round in Thailand. I’ve heard so much about this strange fruit and I have wanted to try it for years. Now that I finally have, I’m disappointed – though not in the sense that it didn’t live up to expectations; the Durian, once the spiny shell is cut open smells terrible. It is so pungent that it is banned in some public places, and there is no way of getting it into an airport. I was disappointed simply because I didn’t like it, and I was so sure I would.
Pete peeled back the cellophane holding the durian pieces and instantly the smell was everywhere. To describe the aroma would be to introduce you to the smell of something dying, rotting or rolling in garbage. It is truly eye openingly stinky. But, this aside, once I bit into it, the taste is immediately rich and almost creamy, but also heavy and surprisingly sweet. It almost tasted like it had been fermenting lightly inside its own skin. The texture is very odd; somewhere between a thick yoghurt and a solid cottage cheese, it didn’t feel much like a fruit at all.
After a tentative bite and a second larger mouthful, I decided that today, the durian is not for me. Pete tried it after me and he assured me that this was a fine specimen with a superior taste. It probably was, but it is a taste I will be avoiding for a little while.
Apologies for anyone confused by this post being missing yesterday. My computer may be playing tricks on me – absolutely no clue why it happened. But I put it back – enjoy!
I’m just wondering: what was the incentive, anyway, to put something that gross smelling into your mouth, leading to the “discovery” of it?
Mainly foolishness, but so many people recommended it. Come to think of it, they like eating smelly stuff. Memo to self: no more stinking tofu or durian.
guys! it’s so amazing! stop talking shit about it! lol
i must say having only seen this “fruit” through a computer and without even being able to smell it, the look is enough to put you off! it does look cheesy and also like veg that has slowly gone liquidy in the fridge. Hats off to you for trying it!
hope your tummy is ok! xx
Nasty stuff… My dad keeps a stash in the freezer for some reason, so every time I went to get an ice-lolly, they’d taste of durian…
Pete’s aunt actually gave me a durian ice lolly! I did manage to finish it, but that was the beginning of the Thai odd flavour adventure.