Trying Durian fruit – the world’s stinkiest fruit! Malaysia

Trying Durian fruit – the world’s stinkiest fruit! Malaysia. On our family holiday to Malaysia we tried durian. See how we got on and keep reading for some amazing facts about durian fruit.

The start

The smell hit first. Slightly sweet but then powerful undertones of soured onion came to the surface.

Everything was then suddenly dominated by an overriding aroma of pungent, left-out-of-the-fridge French smelly cheese.

I could feel myself slightly gagging.

“Ugh, I can smell it, ugh, ugh, that smell” my eight-year-old was shouting.

“Stop it,” I told him frowning. Aware we were in a very nice restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, “it’s not that bad”.

What a total lie. The whole room was filled with the smell as soon as I cut open the little parcel of durian cream puffs I’d ordered for dessert.

What is Durian fruit

Durian are a delicacy across Asia and regarded by many as the king of the fruits.

I have a Malaysian friend who adores it and I decided that it must be one of those things that smell bad but are actually delicious.

Trying Durian fruit

Gingerly I held up a small piece of the pudding. More cream than durian and looking quite appetising, perched on the end of my spoon.

Then I made the mistake, I twitched my nose and sniffed in.

My goodness. It was absolutely disgusting.

I could feel myself gagging again.

Swift action was needed and I quickly popped it in my mouth. Tasting the smallest bit.

Feeling it creamy on my tongue and soft in my mouth.

And then the taste. Worse than the smell. Pungent, savoury, sickly sweet, sour. A whole explosion of unpleasantness.

I literally couldn’t stomach another tiny piece.

“Go on, give it a try” I told the rest of the family who all looked very dubious.

I told them the often-used mantra from my dad, “it’s better to have an opinion on something you’ve actually experienced”. And I convinced everyone it was really not that bad.

So they tried it. And the consensus was unanimous.

Terrible.

Stomach-churning bad.

Never-again.

Spotting it everywhere

For the rest of our trip to Malaysia, we would suddenly come across the unmistakable smell of the durian. Fruit stalls, durian stands (yes, actual whole stands dedicated to the fruit), cafes and restaurants and would feel that same gagging reflux.

Interestingly there were also signs banning it everywhere from buses to hotel lobbies. So clearly we weren’t the only ones to have an extreme reaction to this fruit.

It’s safe to say that durian is definitely not one for us.

Have you tried it? Or anything else we should give a go somewhere around the world?

Interesting facts about durian

Here are 30 interesting facts about durian, the ‘king of fruits’.

General facts about durian fruit

1. Durian is known as the ‘king of fruits’ due to its large size, strong aroma, and rich taste.
2. There are over 30 species of durian, but only about 9 are edible.
3. Durian is native to southeast asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
4. It has a spiky outer shell that protects the soft, creamy flesh inside.
5. The fruit can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long and weigh up to 3 kg (7 lbs).

Smell and taste

6. Durian has a famously strong smell, often compared to rotten onions, turpentine, or sewage.
7. Its odour is so strong that it is banned in hotels, public transport, and airplanes in many countries.
8. Despite its smell, durian is considered a delicacy, with a rich, custard-like texture.
9. Some people describe the taste as a mix of vanilla, caramel, and almonds, while others find it repulsive.
10. The smell comes from over 50 different volatile compounds, including sulphur-based ones.

Cultural and historical facts

11. Durian has been consumed for over 600 years, with records dating back to the 15th century.
12. In southeast asia, durian is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and is sometimes called ‘love fruit’.
13. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are the top durian producers, with Thailand exporting the most.
14. Durian festivals are common in southeast Asia, where people celebrate and compete to find the best durians.
15. In some cultures, durian is thought to bring good luck and is given as a gift.

Health benefits of durian fruit

16. Durian is packed with nutrients, including vitamin c, potassium, fibre, and antioxidants.
17. It is one of the most calorie-dense fruits, providing about 150 calories per 100 grams.
18. Durian is high in healthy fats, making it unique among fruits.
19. It contains tryptophan, a compound that helps produce serotonin, which may improve mood.
20. Some believe durian can help lower blood pressure due to its high potassium content.

Fun and weird facts

21. The fruit can fall from trees at high speeds, so some farmers wear helmets during harvest.
22. Elephants and tigers often love eating durian, especially the overripe ones that fall to the ground.
23. Some people develop a strong addiction to durian, craving it like a favourite dessert.
24. Durian and alcohol don’t mix well—some claim it can cause indigestion or even health risks.
25. The name ‘durian’ comes from the malay word ‘duri’, which means ‘thorn’.

Culinary uses for durian fruit

26. Durian is used in a variety of dishes, including ice cream, cakes, pastries, and even savoury dishes.
27. Durian coffee and durian pizza exist, though they are (clearly) not for everyone.
28. In Thailand, there is a durian-flavoured sticky rice dessert, which is popular among locals.
29. Durian seeds are edible when roasted or boiled, tasting somewhat like chestnuts.
30. Freeze-dried durian is a popular snack, allowing people to enjoy its flavour without the strong smell.

Would you dare to try durian?

More posts on Malaysia:

Diary of two weeks travelling through Malaysia with kids

The best things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Forest Research Institute jungle walk, nr Kuala Lumpur

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