It's Durian season again! And those who crave it are now enjoying the abundant harvest, while the uninitiated are wondering what's funny in the air.
The durian fruit is one of the most polarizing fruits there is. You either love it, or you hate it. Seldom do you find people who don't have an opinion about it. Probably because it won't let you mind your own business. Unlike other fruits that can go unnoticed, you wouldn't miss it if someone is eating durian nearby. Or even just selling it. Even before you see the fruit display, you'll waft the fragrance, or odor depending on your view, as it invades the air.
A roadside durian stall, an hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. You could swap a regular lunch for a durian meal, and sample three or four varieties, and have enough energy to satisfy you until dinner.
For those who love it, like me, it's very sweet, sometimes bitter simultaneously, tastes very intense, complex, almost alcoholic as if some sweet liqueur were added to it, and unmatched by any other fruit. The flesh can be extremely soft and creamy, like soft ice cream, though there are varieties with a thicker texture.
The smell! For those who hate it, many complain of the odor. Ive heard one say "Why will i taste something that smells like a sewer?!". Some say it's reminiscent of old socks. some have tried it and just don't like it, think it tastes medicinal. Some say they're okay with the taste but just don't like the smell. Well, those who love it - love the smell, too! Indeed, smelling it is one signal to know whether the durian is ripe or not!
There are many types of durian, with differences in flavor tone, sweetness and intensity, creaminess and amount of flesh on the seeds. The seeds can be large, smooth and rounded, or they can be small and flat. For first-timers, don't attempt to bring home a whole fruit, it takes real skill to open one without hurting yourself. And it's not allowed inside all hotels (that's not wrong grammar, that's the truth!). And if you try and sneak one in, the smell will easily give you away!
I was craving durian on a trip to Malaysia last year but knew I didn't have time to go around. I was pleasantly surprised that in the Shangri-La KL, they set up a fruit stand in their open harden (behind the lobby lounge) with all kinds of exotic tropical fruits. The chef was a great host, and I had a real treat.
How do you get hooked on this expensive fruit habit? You can dive-in and try it, and some people have found that they immediately like it. Some people, like me, were influenced by friends' charisma for durian. But I've always enjoyed the durian pastillas and candy from Davao and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines. These are very sweet and milky. There's also very good durian ice cream in the Philippines and Singapore. When you graduate from the candy and ice cream and want more, then go for the durian fruit!
Durian is known as an aphrodisiac. Some who eat it immediately feel their body becoming warmer. Chinese culture says it is a "heaty" food, and so must be eaten with cooling foods like mangosteen or rambutan. Notably, you will see these together in fruit stands.
You'll find the fruit when in season in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. It's also interesting that in Taicang, China, I saw last year that they were selling durian at the downtown WalMart. And though the fruit is foreign there, it was selling briskly. I learned that it's gaining popularity in parts of China.
Want a new kind of adventure? Something new to add to your Top Ten things to do when visiting.... Try the exotic durian!
Here is a durian seller in Bugis, Singapore. They have a huge range of varieties, with different tastes and prices. I'm looking forward to going there to get some!
What do you think of the durian fruit?
Interesting Bible verses on fruits and trees. Read Psalm 1 below, and be blessed!
Also, I have a tip at the bottom for after eating durian.
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:8, 9 NIV)
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6 NASB)
TIP.
Eaten durian and it's gotten into your hands and you can't get the smell off? Here are two things you can do.
One. Put water into the fruit pod, then clean and rub your hands with that water. Of course this means you need the thick skin of the fruit, which you wouldn't if you bought it peeled.
Two, and this is what I do. Get one durian seed and wash your hands with water using the seed as a soap bar. Magically, it works!
God in His goodness gave us the durian fruit to enjoy and the cleaner to go with it!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The durian fruit is one of the most polarizing fruits there is. You either love it, or you hate it. Seldom do you find people who don't have an opinion about it. Probably because it won't let you mind your own business. Unlike other fruits that can go unnoticed, you wouldn't miss it if someone is eating durian nearby. Or even just selling it. Even before you see the fruit display, you'll waft the fragrance, or odor depending on your view, as it invades the air.
A roadside durian stall, an hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. You could swap a regular lunch for a durian meal, and sample three or four varieties, and have enough energy to satisfy you until dinner.
For those who love it, like me, it's very sweet, sometimes bitter simultaneously, tastes very intense, complex, almost alcoholic as if some sweet liqueur were added to it, and unmatched by any other fruit. The flesh can be extremely soft and creamy, like soft ice cream, though there are varieties with a thicker texture.
The smell! For those who hate it, many complain of the odor. Ive heard one say "Why will i taste something that smells like a sewer?!". Some say it's reminiscent of old socks. some have tried it and just don't like it, think it tastes medicinal. Some say they're okay with the taste but just don't like the smell. Well, those who love it - love the smell, too! Indeed, smelling it is one signal to know whether the durian is ripe or not!
There are many types of durian, with differences in flavor tone, sweetness and intensity, creaminess and amount of flesh on the seeds. The seeds can be large, smooth and rounded, or they can be small and flat. For first-timers, don't attempt to bring home a whole fruit, it takes real skill to open one without hurting yourself. And it's not allowed inside all hotels (that's not wrong grammar, that's the truth!). And if you try and sneak one in, the smell will easily give you away!
I was craving durian on a trip to Malaysia last year but knew I didn't have time to go around. I was pleasantly surprised that in the Shangri-La KL, they set up a fruit stand in their open harden (behind the lobby lounge) with all kinds of exotic tropical fruits. The chef was a great host, and I had a real treat.
How do you get hooked on this expensive fruit habit? You can dive-in and try it, and some people have found that they immediately like it. Some people, like me, were influenced by friends' charisma for durian. But I've always enjoyed the durian pastillas and candy from Davao and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines. These are very sweet and milky. There's also very good durian ice cream in the Philippines and Singapore. When you graduate from the candy and ice cream and want more, then go for the durian fruit!
Durian is known as an aphrodisiac. Some who eat it immediately feel their body becoming warmer. Chinese culture says it is a "heaty" food, and so must be eaten with cooling foods like mangosteen or rambutan. Notably, you will see these together in fruit stands.
You'll find the fruit when in season in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. It's also interesting that in Taicang, China, I saw last year that they were selling durian at the downtown WalMart. And though the fruit is foreign there, it was selling briskly. I learned that it's gaining popularity in parts of China.
Want a new kind of adventure? Something new to add to your Top Ten things to do when visiting.... Try the exotic durian!
Here is a durian seller in Bugis, Singapore. They have a huge range of varieties, with different tastes and prices. I'm looking forward to going there to get some!
What do you think of the durian fruit?
Interesting Bible verses on fruits and trees. Read Psalm 1 below, and be blessed!
Also, I have a tip at the bottom for after eating durian.
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:8, 9 NIV)
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6 NASB)
TIP.
Eaten durian and it's gotten into your hands and you can't get the smell off? Here are two things you can do.
One. Put water into the fruit pod, then clean and rub your hands with that water. Of course this means you need the thick skin of the fruit, which you wouldn't if you bought it peeled.
Two, and this is what I do. Get one durian seed and wash your hands with water using the seed as a soap bar. Magically, it works!
God in His goodness gave us the durian fruit to enjoy and the cleaner to go with it!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Singapore
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