This fruit looks crazy I know. It also has a bad rep and is illegal on public transportation in some countries cause of the stench. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a rule-breaker.
To be honest with you, I grew up eating durian as a kids though it was quite a rare and expensive treat. The fruit is often found frozen at Asian markets and costs per lb. So with it being frozen and all, it can get quite expensive. For example this one I believe was $3.99 per lb so it ended being around $18 for this fruit.
Though it is a stinky fruit to many, I realized that the fresher it is, it tends to smell more sweet then stinky. I feel like the older the durian is on the shelf, the stinkier it gets.
So how do you go about picking one of these bad boys out?
My biggest advice would be first to only get it whenever it’s in season. So if you notice a bunch of durian at your local market and the price ain’t too steep, then def get it. When you get them out of season you’re more likely to pay more and get one that’s less sweet and fresh.
Next, I would suggest smelling it. The fresher and more fragrant it is, the more likely it’s the one. If you can’t smell much then it might be a bit old and dying inside. Lol.
Thirdly, chose the ones that have more seams or convex out. You dont want too many concave seams/sections because that would mean there are no fruit there. So pick the roundest ones you can!
How do you open it?
So if doing this for the first time I would recommend using a very sharp knife and an oven mit to protect your hands. The thorns are sharp and they really don’t play here. Using the knife and holding the fruit with the other hand, you want to cut vertically in between the seams to reveal your fruit. Cut maybe 1/2-3/4 in deep depending on where you hit your fruit. Once you see it, rip it apart with your hands. Scoop out the delicious fruit and repeat the process until there is no more fruit.
Here a video on how I did it:
What does it taste like?
For those that can get over the stench, it honestly taste like a sweet, soft custard! Its super soft so you can either eat it with your hands or in a bowl with some utensils. Durian is often found in many Asian desserts especially cakes or in sweet soups. I definitely recommend trying it if you haven’t but beware, it isn’t for the faint of heart.
Until next time!
