The name durian comes from the Malay language “duri” meaning thorn and refers to the tree, the fruit, its flesh, and pulp. In Southeast Asia and China, it is known as the king of fruits and its popularity is found in Taiwan, in Canada, in Europe and in the United States. Europeans traveling to the tropics discovered the plant in the 15th century.
The durian grows on trees that produce round or oblong fruits with a hard, spiky outer skin. The outer peel of the fruit can be green or brown with flesh that can be bright yellow or have reddish hues. The flowers grow from the main trunk and larger branches in clusters of three to thirty identical flowers, each with sepals and five to six petals. The fruit has a distinct odor and can be detected from a long distance.
Eating Durian
When harvesting the durian, it is recommended to wear a helmet because the falling fruit can cause injuries just like a coconut. The durian is ripe after it has fallen from the tree. It may have a slight crack from the fall which helps to open the fruit by inserting a knife or cleaver into the crack. Inside there are about five sections containing several seeds that can be eaten after cooking.
If eaten immediately after falling from the tree, the smell is quite pungent and the flavor is intense. The fruit can be turned into shakes, used in Christmas cakes, added as an ingredient in cappuccinos, and added to rice and other Asian dishes. It is the main ingredient in the Malaysian dish Tempoyak.
Benefits of Durian
Durian is rich in vitamin C and has a high sugar content. The fruit also contains potassium, carbohydrates, tryptophan, proteins, and fats. Its crude fat is recommended by health professionals but should be consumed in moderation. In Malaysia, the leaves and roots are used for check the fever.
There are several health benefits in durian which include boosting the immune system, the improvement of digestion and the reduction of insomnia. It is used as cancer prevention due to its ability to destroy free radicals. It protects the body from cardiovascular diseases, prevents early aging, strengthens the skeletal system and lowers blood pressure. It is also known for managing diabetes , reducing joint inflammation and reducing the incidence of stress, depression and anxiety.
Durian, unusual aroma
Theunusual aroma of durian it has been studied by scientists in Germany, who by breaking down its chemical composition found fifty compounds that give the fruit its smell. It is this compound of chemical substances that causes the strong odor which can be pleasant to some or rotten to others.
