Meet Durian: The ‘notorious’ fruit banned in hotels and flights
An oblong-shaped fruit with a creamy pulp, durian is an evergreen member of the Kapok family. However, out of the 30 species found in Southeastern Asia, only nine are edible. Durian first originated in Borneo and Sumatra islands around 600 years ago. The word ‘durian’ comes from Malay word ‘duri’ , which means ‘thorn,’ and was first used in 1580. The trading of durian began around 400 years ago in Southern Asia (today known as Myanmar). Today, it is actively grown in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Niccol Da Conti (Italian explorer and writer), who visited Southeast Asia in the 15th century, made the first documented reference to durian in a written work. Now, the durian is a fruit celebrated in many culinary delicacies in Asia as it is a native to this tropical climate. It is known for its meaty texture, spiky exterior, and extremely unmissable, pungent odor.
If you have travelled in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, etc., you might have noticed a signboard on multiple hotel entrances or lobbies that reads – No Durians Allowed! Well, what can a poor fruit do so wrong that it’s banned in hotels? Well, if we have spiked your curiosity about this fruits,’ keep reading as we explore why it is so notorious and some more fun facts you probably did not know about this cousin of jackfruit.
Why is it banned?
Durian has an unusual flavour and odour. This has prompted many people to express diverse views ranging from deep love to intense disgust. This is because durian has an extremely peculiar, pungent odor that people have compared to Limburger cheese. Some people have even compared its odour to rotten onion, stale socks or raw sewage. For this reason, the fruit is banned from hotels, public transportation and flights in Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong! Strangely, durian tastes like a custard was mixed with almonds! Weird, isn’t it? Owing to its characteristic smell, animals such as civets can detect a durian from as far away as a half a mile!
An essential ingredient of Chinese moon cakes
Moon cakes are undoubtedly one of China's top culinary achievements. Traditional banquet of these pastries is an essential element of their Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese cultural celebration during the autumn harvest which started since the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046). The pastries are durian-flavoured and eaten when the moon is at its clearest and fullest phase. Hence the name ‘moon cake.’ Famous for the past few decades, durian moon cakes don't have the same fetid aroma as most durian-infused edibles.
Durian the superfruit
Durian is a fruit you either love for its rich flavor or hate for its awful smell. Health experts suggest adding this superfood to a seasonal diet owing to its health benefits. Yes, that's right! It is a superfruit due to its high content of vitamin B, vitamin C, minerals like potassium, and dietary fiber. In addition, anti-inflammatory antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin found in the durian increase blood circulation to the scalp, promoting the development of new hair follicles.
Thiamin, a B-complex vitamin found in durian, improves appetite and aids in producing hydrochloric acid in the stomach for efficient digestion. According to research, durian also boosts metabolism, which helps in nutrient absorption. Looking at its health benefits, ignoring its pungent odor may just be worth it!