Typically, fruits exude a delicate and pleasant aroma that causes appetite, but it happens the other way around. The leader of all bad-smelling fruits is the exotic durian fruit. Its smell disappears for a very long time. Even cosmetics and fresheners do not help him clean. For this reason, the fruit is almost never found in countries where it does not grow.
Appearance and where it grows
Not everyone knows what durian is and what it looks like. This is one of the most healthy and unusual tropical fruits in the world.
Many are interested in how durian grows. This is an evergreen large tree that belongs to the family of malvaceae. It has powerful roots, similar to props. The tree looks quite unusual and beautiful during flowering. It is covered with large red and white flowers that bloom in the evening, and fall by the morning. Pollinate their bats and bees. Trees bear their first fruits about 8-10 years after planting.
You need to know not only how durian grows, but also how to properly collect fruits from a tree. They are not recommended to be torn off. When they fully mature, they themselves fall. Walking under such trees is very dangerous.
The name of the fruit comes from the Malay words, which in translation means "prickly fruit." It is a small oblong ball of green or yellow. Weight is approximately 8 kg and diameter up to 30 cm. Durian is covered with long spikes. In the context, the fruit looks like a big nut, divided into hemispheres. It consists of 5 chambers, with large white veins, each of which contains a yellowish or yellow-red flesh.
Answering the question of where durian grows, it must be said that fruit grows in Thailand, Indonesia, and India. The best fruits are grown near Bangkok. There are 34 known species of this fruit, but only 9 of them are allowed for eating. Durian is beneficial to the body, but in some cases can cause significant harm, so you need to carefully study its composition.
Chemical composition
What is durian is of great interest to many, as it is an interesting exotic fruit. It contains many different nutrients. The fruit contains a significant amount of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, as well as sodium and calcium.
In addition, durian contains the entire complex of vitamins B, C and folic acid. The fruits also have antioxidants that can slow down the aging process and prolong youth. Durian has a good bactericidal effect.
Using this fruit, you can comprehensively cleanse the body of toxic and other harmful substances, increase immunity. It is very useful to eat it at night, as it creates pleasant warmth in the stomach, so that you may not even need a blanket.
Fruit benefits
The beneficial properties of durian are due to its chemical composition. Exotic fruit is very good for health, as it contains a whole range of trace elements and vitamins. This is a fairly high-calorie fruit, as 100 g contains 147 kcal, which contributes to rapid saturation. Durian is very useful in that:
- calms the nervous system;
- normalizes the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- boosts immunity;
- normalizes digestion processes.
The benefits for men and women are not in any doubt, since it has simply unique properties. This fruit is able to have a multifaceted effect on the body.
This fruit contains organic sulfur, which is part of the cells of the skin, hair and nails, as well as bone, nerve and cartilage. Being a component of nicotine, sulfur provides a balance of blood sugar, which is very useful for patients with diabetes. Durian effectively fights aging, has antiviral and anthelmintic properties. In addition, it helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
This fruit does not contain cholesterol, so it can be consumed by those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle. It brings particular benefit to women. Due to the hormone estrogen content, the chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby are dramatically increased.
What is useful for men
Red durian is simply invaluable in restoring and maintaining sexual function in men. This fruit is considered a good aphrodisiac. Thanks to the hormone estrogen, it normalizes and increases potency, improves sperm quality and sperm activity.
Can pregnant
After examining the description of the durian fruit, we can say for sure that it is very useful, but it can be harmful to pregnant women and nursing mothers. That is why you need to be very careful about its consumption.
There is no definitive ban. A woman who bears a child can herself assess her condition and ability to enjoy the taste of this amazing fruit. The beneficial properties of durian can benefit a pregnant woman and her baby. However, with increased pressure or swelling, this fruit can be harmful.
Taste and smell
Many hesitate to try this fruit, as it smells unpleasant, and do not know what the taste of durian looks like. This healthy fruit leaves no one indifferent. Its taste qualities are so ambiguous that everyone associates them with something special. What does the durian taste look like, and how did it attract gourmets?
Many believe that this fruit resembles a soft custard or creamy ice cream. For some, this is a favorite fruit, while others cannot be in the same room with it.
This is due to its specific smell. Despite all the benefits of durian, not many dare to try it. This property is explained by the chemical reaction of oxygen and sulfuric acid when it is cut. The aroma does not appear immediately, since it takes several minutes for the elements to interact. Many compare the source of smell with stale socks or sewers. Durian is exported to other countries in dried or canned form.
The smell of this fruit largely depends on the type of plant. Red durian smells like turpentine and caramel, and Mera smell fried almonds. The taste and aroma are affected by the degree of maturity of the fetus. In addition, the smell largely depends on where durian grows. Thai varieties have a sweeter flavor and less pronounced aroma than Malaysian ones.
How to eat
To enjoy the great taste of the fruit, you need to know how to eat durian properly. On sale you can find fruits of various shades, so the green peel does not always indicate immaturity.
By purchasing durian, you can ask the seller to peel and chop it. To get to the core on your own, you need to chop a hard shell and remove the pulp. You can use a spoon for this. If you need to store the peeled fruit in a refrigerator, it is important to place the pulp in an airtight container so that the rest of the products are not saturated with an unpleasant odor. The indigenous people of Thailand eat fruit, washed down with salted water.
Harm durian
It is very important to consider the existing contraindications to the consumption of this fruit. This is a kind of fruit and far from harmless. It is necessary to carefully study the existing contraindications and take them as seriously as possible.
It is not recommended to use durian with alcohol, as this can lead to fever. After eating the fruit, you should refrain from drinking alcohol for 3-4 hours.
At the first tasting, it is recommended to eat durian separately from other products. The daily norm is not more than 200 g. It must be remembered that the fruit increases pressure.
An exotic fetus can provoke an allergy in the form of rashes, runny nose, and in some cases swelling of the nasopharynx. It’s best to try a small piece first. Among the contraindications, it is necessary to highlight:
- individual intolerance;
- hypertension
- pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding.
These exotic fruits can both disappoint and become a favorite treat. To reveal the fullness of taste, you need to know how to eat durian and how to choose a ripe and high-quality fruit.
Alcohol Combination
Do not eat this fruit with alcohol, as the consequences can be quite serious. Most often, they are manifested by an upset stomach and halitosis.
In addition, there is a danger of a strong increase in pressure until death, since alcohol and the trace elements that make up durian enter a certain reaction, as a result of which a substance is produced that causes a sharp jump in pressure.
Cooking Application
Durian deserved the most controversial reviews, as many say that it has a very offensive smell, while others note its unique taste. The beneficial properties of this fruit, as well as its delicate taste, ensured its use in various dishes.
Ice cream, cocktails, and jam are made from durian. It is also used to make a specific dessert popular in Thailand. It consists of rice sprinkled with syrup made from coconut milk and sugarcane juice. Slices of durian are also added to it.
No less popular is the durian dodol. This is a kind of pie, which is a frozen baked mass of exotic fruit pulp, sugar, rice, coconut milk.
Durian seeds are often used as a seasoning. In Indonesia, mint sauce is prepared from the pulp of the fruit, which is served with rice. Fried fruit can be used as a side dish for meat. Durian is added to milkshakes, cookies and sweets. Chips are made from this fruit. Sometimes it is fried like potatoes and served with coffee.
Salads are prepared from young durian leaves. Some provinces eat flower petals. On the islands, husk plants are used for smoking fish.
How to choose the right fruit
Reviews about durian are good only if the fruit was chosen correctly. To pick a quality fruit, you need to remember a few tricks. If possible, you need to buy fruit only in the market. It is there that you can purchase the most juicy and ripe fruits.
It is necessary to evaluate the external signs of durian. If you knock on the peel, there should be a dull sound, exactly the same as a ripe watermelon. When pressed, the skin lends itself a bit, the green fruit remains firm, and the ripe shell has a soft shell. The spikes must be flexible and resilient.
If you want to eat fruit at home or on the beach, then you need to purchase only ripe durian. If you want to immediately feast on fruit, you need to ask the seller to cut and pack it. The degree of ripeness can be determined by the softness of the fetus. The requirements are exactly the same as for the peel.
In a ripe, not overripe durian, the smell is not very sharp. When there is no aroma at all, it means that the fruit has not yet ripened. If the smell is very pungent and fetid, then this indicates that the fetus is very out of date.
How to store durian
Peeled fruit is not recommended to be stored. It is advisable to use it immediately, since all useful properties will disappear. In raw form, durian can lie for two days at room temperature, and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To extend the shelf life of the fetus, dried fruits can be prepared from it. But the pulp for this is not just dried, but made from it pastille. This will preserve all the beneficial qualities of the fetus and its unique taste.
Reviews
There are various reviews of durians, but they are mostly positive. Many say that this is just an amazing fruit. Since it has a specific smell, it is very difficult to force yourself to try the first bite. However, the taste is worth it. It is simply unique.
Reviews about durian are also positive because of its beneficial properties. If you constantly eat it, then you can get used to the smell, and it will not repel so much.
Many note that the flesh of the fruit tastes like custard. It seems to combine mango, banana, pineapple and ripe papaya. You need to eat the pulp with a spoon. If you take it with your hands, you will have to wash off the odor for a long time.
The benefits and harms of this exotic fruit are not comparable. Due to the content of a large number of nutrients and microelements, durian has a positive effect on all systems and organs of a person. If used correctly, it will not cause any harm at all.