Exotic fruit durian. Durian - the king of exotic fruits

Recently, there has been an interesting trend - modern people want extreme sports in the most unusual areas. Jumping with a parachute is scary, flying on an airplane is scary and expensive, and walking down a dark alley at night is also dangerous. And I want to splash out the adrenaline. What to do? Watch horror movies on TV, do nude photo shoots and try exotic products, among which are fried cockroaches, chestnuts and durian. The taste of the latter product is very much for everyone, and its smell is completely repulsive. Why is this fruit popular? Why is it considered a favorite delicacy in Thailand? It's worth understanding the topic.

What are we talking about?

So what is durian? What does this strange fruit smell like? This tropical tree's name is translated from Malaysian as “thorn”. This fruit has been cultivated in Malaysia, Indochina, India and Thailand for more than 600 years. Rare, but found in South and Latin America. Durian is suitable for a humid tropical climate. By the way, this plant has 30 varieties, of which only 9 are edible. Each variety is different original taste and aroma.

Visually identifying durian is not difficult. It is an evergreen tree with spreading branches. The tree reaches a height of up to 40 meters. The leaves are leathery and shiny, often pointed. The lower part of the leaves is covered with fleecy scales. Flowers grow on the trunk, shaped like umbrellas. The flowering period lasts only a few hours, and the flowers have a heavy smell. They open at dusk, and fall closer to dawn. Durian bears fruit from the beginning of spring to the end of summer.

Fruit: beneficial properties

The tree grows large spherical fruits, which can reach 30 cm in diameter and 10 kg in weight. The outside of the fruit is green with a rough fibrous structure and a hard shell, which is covered with pyramidal spines. The heavy skin hides shiny seeds up to 6 cm in size. They have a warm color ranging from red-brown to pale yellow. The fruit pulp is thick, creamy yellow. Until the fruit is ripe, it smells like fresh grass. But as it ripens, the smell changes, becoming corrosive and sweetish-putrid.

Durian reduces constipation due to its dietary fiber content. The fruit absorbs water well, accelerates peristalsis and removes carcinogens from the body, preventing the development of intestinal cancer. Durian also prevents anemia, has a positive effect on skin condition due to the presence of vitamin C, strengthens bones, treats diabetes and strengthens the thyroid gland. As a bonus, it is worth mentioning the fight against migraines and depression, as well as improved digestion.

There are places in Asian countries where eating durian is prohibited. Its taste is not as important here as the smell, which cannot be eliminated even with the help of cosmetics. It is easy to recognize such a restricted area; on the doors there will be a sign with a durian crossed out with a red line. In Thailand, durian cannot be taken out of the country, as tourists are informed about at the airport. The fact is that in its homeland, durian is the king of fruits.

Beautiful legend

There is a story that is often retold in Asia about how the durian came to be. What does this fruit smell like? Some will say that it is rotten fish, and for others, durian will even resemble carrion. But according to legend, it once smelled like love! Many years ago, there lived a king in Asia who fell unrequitedly in love and turned to a magician for help. He gave him a fruit with magical aroma and taste. The girl tasted the fruit and fell in love with the king. And he was so happy that he forgot to thank the magician. The angry wizard cursed the fruit and turned it into a foul-smelling fruit. When the king came back to the garden to buy durian, he was disappointed and threw the fruit to the ground in annoyance. But the split durian was just as tasty as before.

How is it eaten?

We figured out that durian is a fruit. What does it smell like? Many people will not like the answer to this question, since the smell has pronounced features of rot. But is it worth eating a product that smells like that? Here the Thais can write a whole ode dedicated to the great taste of durian. They find it sweet, rich, reminiscent custard with a hint of papaya and vanilla. The pulp can be eaten with a spoon. If it is hard, then it is unripe. It is important to catch the right moment to eat, since unripe durian is tasteless, and overripe durian is bitter. You should eat the fruit as soon as you open it, only in this case you will feel the fullness of the flavor bouquet.

You can eat durian with your hand by breaking it and pulling out the pulp. For convenience, you can use a spoon, since the smell is absorbed into the skin and then cannot be washed off. Local residents happily wash down the fruit with salted water, which is poured into the empty half of the shell. In Thailand, pieces of fruit are marinated in coconut milk and served to the table. This a real delicacy. Pies with pieces of fruit are also popular..

And what do they eat with?

If you get to the country of origin of this fruit, you will quickly understand how durian is eaten. Here it is a truly universal fruit that is added to almost everything. possible dishes. It tastes harmoniously with coffee, and therefore gourmets consider this breakfast a healthy culinary delight. Fruit pulp in Thai cuisine added to mousses, ice cream and jam are prepared on its base. The pulp of the unripe fruit is used as a vegetable, that is, cut into slices and fried or stewed with spices. And if you combine the pulp of durian and pumpkin, you get an aromatic paste that the Thais use as a spice. In Indonesia, the fruit is added to fish soup to add thickness and flavor. The seeds are also used for food, but replace seasoning. Surprisingly, the Thais are not at all alien to the method of canning. True, they don’t pickle tomatoes and cucumbers, but they boil durian pulp with sugar and preserve jam. How do they eat durian in our country? This question is not yet clear, since the fruit is not supplied to us! It's a shame? Maybe. But it's logical. This is a very specific product.

Why should you try the fruit?

This is what it smells like? Indole! It is a condensed aromatic compound whose odor is reminiscent of rotten cabbage. This ingredient is responsible for the terrible smell and bactericidal properties of the product. The fruit is also rich in vitamins, fats and carbohydrates. Contains enough protein and a third daily norm vitamin C. Durian contains niacin and minerals such as iron, phosphorus and calcium. By the way, there is one more ingredient that explains what durian smells like. This is organic sulfur, which removes toxins from the body. It is also present in the cells of nerve and bone tissue. Durian is a complete “energy drink” due to the abundance of sucrose and fructose. There are 147 calories per 100 grams of pulp, most of which come from carbohydrates and water..

For food and more

People in Asian countries love durian. What it smells like is not so important! The main thing is that it is healthy treat And effective remedy traditional medicine. The leaves of the plant contain a high content of mustard oil and hydroxytryptamine, which allows the fruit to be used as an antipyretic in the treatment of colds. When bile spills, baths with the leaves of the fruit are excellent. And the roots are an interesting antiviral agent, since the combination minerals, vitamins, amino acids and sulfur are very effective. But perhaps the most best quality durian has the ability to rejuvenate the body and restore potency.

You need to try everything!

When you travel to Asian countries, you will quickly learn what durian looks like and then become familiar with its taste. It’s easy to find green balls with spikes in any of them. The fruit looks like a mutant hedgehog. Sellers determine ripeness by sound. If the sound is thin when knocking, then the fruit is not ripe. But a dull sound indicates ripeness. There you will probably be recommended to buy mangosteen fruits along with durian, which go well with the main product. Remember that durian should not be eaten by people with high blood pressure or hypertension. It also cannot be combined with alcohol and is prohibited for use by pregnant and lactating women. Each thorn of the fruit emits a smell, so be ruthless in removing the peel. The pulp has the color of condensed milk. You need to eat right away. The consistency of the slices resembles cottage cheese or butter. It tastes like a banana sundae with whipped cream, vanilla and strawberries. Those who have tried this exotic fruit say that the smell becomes tolerable from the first spoon, and then does not interfere with the enjoyment of food. After tasting, it no longer matters how much durian costs. You'll still want to buy it again. The cost of uncut fruit is about 100 baht per kilogram, or 165 rubles, and pure pulp from one durian chamber will cost 80 baht, or 132 rubles.

Calories, kcal:

Proteins, g:

Carbohydrates, g:

Durian civet - a tropical tree of the family Malvaceae, the fruit of which is a fruit famous for both its taste and smell. The name durian comes from Malaysia from the word duri (thorn) with the suffix -an. In Malaysia you can find more than 30 varieties of this plant, 9 of which are edible. Each variety of durian has a different taste and aroma.

Durian grows in tropical rain forests South-East Asia, it is often grown in the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, less commonly in South India, the island of Sri Lanka, southern Thailand, Indochina and the southern Philippines (kalorizator). The species is also cultivated in East Africa, very rarely in Latin and South America.

What are the fruits of durian?

Durian flowers are large and have a heavy sour smell. Bats eat durian nectar and pollen, and they pollinate the plant.

Durian fruits are spherical in shape and develop on trunks or branches. They reach a diameter of up to 30 cm and a weight of more than 5 kg, and have a very hard shell covered with spines.

The color of the fruit shell is green-brown, the flesh is yellow-red. Inside the fruit there are five nests, each of which contains one shiny seed, 2 to 6 cm in size, ranging in color from pale yellow to red-brown. The seed is surrounded by a thick cap (aryllus), which has the consistency of pudding and is cream to dark yellow in color. This edible arillus has a sweet, nutty, cheesy taste and an incomparable aroma. Ripe fruit has a peculiar, very corrosive, sweetish-putrid odor.

Durian calories

Durian is quite high in calories and contains 147 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Composition and beneficial properties of durian

The uniqueness of this fruit is that it contains a large amount of organic matter. It is because of volatile compounds that this exotic fruit has unpleasant smell. Durian is the only edible fruit in the world that contains organic matter.

The characteristic unpleasant odor of durian is due to the presence of indole- a chemical compound with an unpleasant odor, which, however, when strongly diluted, gives a delicate jasmine note. Indole is very bactericidal and extremely beneficial, so eating durian helps restore the health of sick people and animals.

Use of durian in cooking

The specific properties of durian did not prevent this fruit from taking its rightful place in the kitchen. You can make a lot out of it delicious dishes, for example, flavored milkshakes and delicious ice cream.

Southeast Asia is characterized by the use of durian fruit as a basis for the preparation of dried fruits (calorizator). Moreover, the pulp of the fruit is not just dried, but a kind of marshmallow is made. In this state, the fruit can be stored for a long time, and taste qualities and the beneficial properties of durian remain unchanged.

In Thailand, for example, one of the most popular desserts is Khao Nam Ka Ti Turian, which can be found in all roadside cafes and eateries. This dish is a cup of glutinous rice that is generously watered coconut syrup, sweetened juice sugar cane and flavored with pieces fresh fruit durian

One of the favorite Malay treats is durian dodol. Although in Malaysia this dish is called a cake, it is actually a tasty, slightly viscous, congealed baked mass consisting of durian pulp, glutinous rice, palm sugar and coconut milk.

Myths about durian

1. Durian has a terrible smell. It is not true. Durian has a specific and rather strong hapah, however, it can be called unusual rather than bad.
2. Durian tastes disgusting. This is also not true. Not everyone likes the taste the first time, but if you are persistent and dare to try it again, you may become a durian fan. You may like its taste, but its unusual consistency scares many.
3. Durian cannot be brought indoors or on board an airplane. This is true. The smell of durian is very persistent and does not dissipate well, even in the refrigerator, if you put durian in there, all the products will absorb its smell.
4. Durian should not be combined with alcohol. This is true. It is undesirable to combine it with alcohol due to the high content of various active enzymes in it. This can lead to an increase in temperature and even unpredictable consequences.
5. Durian is an aphrodisiac. This is true. Durian is a strong aphrodisiac not only for men, but also for women.

All about the exotic Asian fruit - durian. What kind of exotic is this and how they eat it and what. What beneficial properties do durian contain and what harm it can cause to the body. Calorie content of pulp and healthy vitamins with microelements.

The content of the article:

Durian is a tropical tree of the Malvaceae family. The name durian originated in Malaysia (translated as “thorn”) with the suffix - an. The French call it durione, the Germans call it Durianbaum or Stinkfrucht. For more than 600 years, the fruit has been cultivated in Malaysia, Indochina, India and southern Thailand. Very rare - in South and Latin America. It grows mainly in humid tropical lowland climates. Of the 30 plant varieties, only 9 are edible. Each variety has a unique taste and aroma. Only Durio zibethinus can be found in stores.

There is a beautiful legend about the origin of this fruit

In addition, durian goes perfectly with coffee and gourmets consider this breakfast to be one of the most sophisticated culinary delights. In Thai cuisine, its pulp is added to mousses and ice cream, and jam is made.

If the fruit is not ripe, then it is used as a vegetable: cut into slices and fried or stewed with spices. And the Thais prepare a paste from durian and pumpkin, which they use as a spice. Sayur, (this is an Indonesian fresh fish soup), the red pulp of durian gives unique taste and aroma. The seeds are not thrown away, but fried and used as a seasoning. Also, local residents boil the pulp with added sugar and preserve it.

Video: how to cut, butcher and eat:

Ingredients: vitamins and microelements

The fruit is very rich in vitamins, fats, carbohydrates (27.09 g) and proteins. But the fruit pulp contains vitamin C (19.7 mg - about 33% of the required daily value), carotene, B vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, folic acid), niacin and essential minerals: iron, phosphorus and calcium.

It also contains indole, thanks to which durian has not only a terrible smell, but also bactericidal properties. Also, durian is the only edible fruit that contains organic sulfur, which is valued for its ability to remove toxins from the body. In addition, it is a component of proteins and hormones, and is present in the cells of nervous and bone tissue, hair and skin. High content sucrose and fructose make fruit valuable source energy.

Durian calories per 100 g of pulp is 147 kcal:

• Proteins - 1.47 g
• Fat - 5.33 g
• Carbohydrates - 23.29 g
• Water - 64.99 g
• Dietary fiber - 3.8 g
• Ash - 1.12 g
• Cholesterol - 0 g

Beneficial properties of durian for the body

Durian is a very filling fruit that instantly satisfies hunger. But residents of Southeast Asia not only feast on it, but also use it in folk medicine.

Video about the benefits of durian:

Harm and contraindications of durian

Durian should not be combined with alcoholic drinks : this may be the reason severe poisoning with subsequent complications. It is also not recommended for women during pregnancy and lactation. Durian is also contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the body.

In all other cases, eat it for your health!

Durian has this disgusting smell that you are unlikely to be allowed into a public place with him. However, if you overcome your disgust or simply close your nose and taste the juicy pulp, you will immediately understand where the concept came from king of fruits.

Of all the variety of fruits, only durian has become the owner of such a popular characteristic. Few people realize that all this is absolutely true. Durian has such a “pleasant aroma” that you cannot enter hotels, elevators, shops, taxis and many other public places with it. Some of them even have a special sign in the form of a durian crossed out with a red line. This means that entry with fruit is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that the smell is very persistent and even after a long time after eating it, the aroma remains and, most importantly, it does not erode or be killed, cosmetics. This is the main reason why it cannot be stored for a long time. There are many epithets around the world that are used to describe the smell of this fruit.

Despite everything, he is considered the king of fruits. You can see this for yourself after you taste the pulp, which truly divine taste. The Thais claim that it can be compared to a delicious cream made from milk and eggs. If you want to get an unforgettable experience, then be sure to try durian.

The name comes from the Malay word thorn - duri, as well as the suffix an, which means prickly fruit. Its homeland is India, Indonesia, Ceylon, Thailand, the Philippines and Indochina. There is an opinion that the most best durian grows on a plantation near Bangkok.

This fruit has quite large fruits, which can reach 30 cm and weigh up to 8 kilograms. They are completely covered with a peel, which is “decorated” with spines. Inside there are several oblong chambers, and in them there are delicate yellowish-white tasty masses.

Durian is an evergreen tree - a giant that grows up to 40 meters in height. It has shiny and leathery leaves that are slightly pointed and alternately arranged. Top part the leaves are smooth, while the opposite one is covered with scales. This one is blooming amazing fruit only a few hours: golden brown, white or golden flowers have a heavy sour smell.

They open at dusk and fall by dawn. The main period of fruit ripening is the beginning of spring and ends at the end of summer.

How to choose When buying durian, you should not trust the seller, but do everything yourself. This purchase will be required in the off-season, since that is when bad durians are often found on the shelves. When pressed, the fruit should be slightly soft. Overripe fruits are very soft, while unripe ones cannot be pressed at all.

The maturity of this product can also be determined by the condition of the thorns.

If they move, then the fruits are of high quality and ripe, but if they are motionless, then it still needs to lie down.

Pay attention to the smell of durian. If it has a very strong aroma, then there is a very high probability that it will be snotty inside - overripe. You should not draw conclusions based on the color of the fruit, because the colors different varieties

differ considerably.

How to store It is best to eat durian immediately, but in other situations you can resort to storage. It should be noted that this fruit does not need to be placed in the refrigerator. At room temperature

This product can be stored for 5 days, but no more. Durian should not be kept with other fruits.

In cooking The seeds of this amazing fruit have been used in cooking for centuries. They are mainly used as a seasoning. These fruits have a strong pungent odor that resembles a mixture of cheese, rotten onions and turpentine. Despite this, the pulp has quite

pleasant taste , so it is eaten as a delicious dessert. Durian is most often used for cooking

milkshakes

, chips, ice cream and dried fruits. Sometimes it is fried just like potatoes. It should be noted that it goes well with coffee. Reflection in culture

There is a legend that talks about a king who was in love with a charming girl, but she did not reciprocate his feelings. Because of this, the ruler turned to the magician, who gave him the fruit. The king gave the resulting fruits to the girl to try and she immediately fell in love with him. The ruler was so happy that he forgot about the magician and never thanked him. The magician was so angry that he cursed these wonderful fruits. When the ruler came for a new fruit of love, he did not find it, but only a prickly and disgusting-smelling fruit. The king was overcome with anger and threw him to the ground. He was very surprised when he discovered the “love mass” inside, so he gave it a new name, namely “durian”.

Durian calories

Raw or frozen, the calorie content of durian is 145 kcal per 100 g of product. This fruit has a relatively low fat content and increased content carbohydrates. His overuse can lead to extra pounds.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Useful properties of durian

Composition and presence of nutrients

This fruit is very rich in proteins, fats, vitamins and carbohydrates.

It is very important to know that it does not contain cholesterol. The pulp contains vitamin C, niacin, carotene, folic acid, riboflavin, calcium, iron, nicotinic acid and phosphorus.

In addition, it contains indole. It should be noted that only it contains organic sulfur.

Useful and healing properties Durian is considered unique fruit

due to the organic sulfur it contains. This is what causes its characteristic and not very pleasant aroma. This is the only fruit with sulfur in the world that is suitable for human consumption. Unpleasant smell

– a characteristic sign of the presence of indole in fruits.

It should be noted that highly diluted indole has the completely opposite aroma of jasmine. It is very useful because it has bactericidal properties.

The pulp of this amazing fruit is an anthelmintic. Durian roots and leaves are used to prepare a decoction, which will later be used as an antipyretic.

People suffering from fever apply the juice from the leaves of this plant to their heads. To relieve skin inflammation, use a decoction of durian leaves and fruits. If you have a bile spill, you should take a medicinal bath from the leaves of this exotic fruit. The ash of this plant is used during the postpartum period. In Thailand you can find many amazing representatives of edible tropical flora. And yet, one of the strangest fruits of Southeast Asia is durian . It can be safely considered the most unusual fruit

on the planet. The Thais even call durian the “king of fruits”. Why is this “gift of the tropics” so highly appreciated by admirers and what is unusual about it? Let's look for answers to these questions together.

Botanical description of durian

The durian plant is a straight-trunked tree, reaching a height of 46 meters in the wild (the growth of grafted cultivated species of the plant is much lower). The trunk is covered with alternate leaves. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy and green, the lower surface is bronze-silver. Like many tropical plants, durian blooms at night. Its white flowers are arranged in clusters of 3-30; their strong scent attracts flocks of small bats (Eonycteris spelea) that pollinate the tree. Durian fruits grow up to 30 cm in length. Their weight often exceeds 5 kilograms. The pulp of an exotic fruit is hidden under a thorn-strewn greenish brown

hard shell (shell). When ripe, the durian shell splits into five segments, revealing pinkish, yellowish or creamy white flesh containing large seeds.

Taste and smell of durian Durian pulp has a stable smell , "glorified" this. fruit Strong and sharp , this “aroma” is reminiscent of the stench of rotten fish and sewage with hints of garlic. The smell of durian has been described as “a mixture of onions, turpentine and pig droppings”, “the aroma of decorated dirty socks athletic hall”, “the basement of a house with a sewer system that “broke” a month ago.” Thanks to this smell in Thailand It is prohibited to bring raw durian into hotels

, ground public transport and airports. The taste of durian... This is where the secret of the “coronation” of the Thai fruit lies. Durian pulp is extremely tasty - it’s hard to believe if you only trust your sense of smell. She has a spicy sweet, which reminds many of vanilla ice cream or custard. The Thais say that durian is the best illustration of the concept of Yang-Yin: good and evil, hell and heaven, contained in one object or creature. Many people say about durian: “The taste of heaven, the smell of hell.”

The “aroma” of durian depends on the type or variety of the plant. For example, Durio dulcis (red durian) smells like caramel and turpentine, and Durio graveolens (Mera durian) smells like toasted almonds. The taste and smell are affected by the ripeness of the durian. It is also believed that Thai varieties of the most common durian, civet durian, have more sweet taste and less “characteristic” odor than Malay ones. Therefore, you should start getting acquainted with the “king of fruits” in Thailand!

In total, about 30 species of durian are known. You can only eat eight:

• civet durian (Durio zibethinus);
• munjit (Durio grandiflorus);
• red durian (Durio dulcis);
• Kulu durian (Durio kutejensis);
• Charian (Durio lowianus);
• Kura-kura (Durio testudinarius);
• keratogan (Durio oxleyanus).

The durian’s “habitat” zone is the near-equatorial belt. Originating in Malaysia and Indonesia, the plant has spread widely and is today cultivated in Cambodia, Australia, and India. Dominica, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zanzibar and Thailand. To grow well, durian requires tropical climate- average annual air temperature not lower than +22°С at relatively large quantities precipitation (1500 - 2000 mm).

Legends about durian

There is an old legend that explains the appearance of a specific smell durian It tells about an elderly king who fell in love with a young beauty. Not counting on reciprocity, the ruler used the help of the magician. The wizard gave the king an amazing fruit and told him to treat the girl to it. The lover did just that. The beauty tried durian (and that was it) and immediately fell in love with the king. The pleased ruler enjoyed her love, forgetting to thank the magician. The wizard decided to take revenge on the king and cursed the durian. When the king came to him for a new portion the most delicate delicacy, disappointment awaited him - a mountain of foul-smelling fruits lay on the ground. Angry, the ruler began to throw durians on the ground. One of the fruits split open and revealed a secret: behind the stinking shell there was still delicious pulp...

Useful properties of durian

Durian is not only tasty, but also very healthy fruit . The substances contained in its pulp have antioxidant properties and are aphrodisiacs. The antipyretic effect of durian has been laboratory confirmed.

In Thai medicine, durian pulp is used as an anthelmintic, the juice from the leaves is used for fevers and hepatitis, the ash of the peel is used after childbirth, and decoctions from the leaves are used for skin diseases and rashes. At the beginning of the last century, an American company Durian Fruit Products, Inc has released the Dur-India dietary supplement, which helps concentrate good energy in the body.

Durian and alcohol: is it possible to combine and consequences?

In Thailand, durian is not recommended for use by people suffering from high blood pressure, pregnant women and those with individual intolerance. Do not combine durian with alcohol- the consequences are the most unpleasant: in the very best case scenario this causes an upset stomach and is accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the breath, but there is a danger, coupled with the humidity and heat, of a strong surge blood pressure up to death, because alcohol and the substances that make up durian enter into a certain reaction, as a result of which a substance is produced that uncontrollably and very quickly causes a powerful jump blood pressure in humans.

Durian: methods of use

In Thailand, durian is widely used in cooking. The pulp of the fruit is most often served as a dessert. The seeds are used as a seasoning. Durian is added to ice cream and milkshakes, candies, cookies and sauces. Chips are made from it. Sometimes the fruit is fried like potatoes and served with coffee.

Salads are prepared from young durian leaves. In some provinces they eat flower petals. In the Moluccas, durian husks are used to smoke fish.

How to store durian

Durian belongs to perishable products, so it is advisable to eat it on the day of purchase. If you need to “keep” durian longer, you should not store it next to other fruits. At room temperature, the shelf life of the “king of fruits” is no more than five days.