I tasted and eat Durian when I was in Kunming. It is yummy! if I get another opportunity to go there, the first thing that I would be looking for is Durian!
Regards, Giby On 17 October 2011 20:09, Pankaj Kumar <[email protected]> wrote: > Inspired by Dr. Stephan Gale, I finally tried my hands on Durian, the > King of Fruits. > > This is one of the 30 existing species of Durio, commonly called as > Durain, belonging to family Malvaceae. The centre of ecological > diversity for durians is the island of Borneo, where the fruit of the > edible species of Durio including D. zibethinus, D. dulcis, D. > graveolens, D. kutejensis, D. oxleyanus and D. testudinarum are sold > in local markets. > > I was trying to describe its taste but I found wikipedia version which > says, > > " The five cells are silky-white within, and are filled with a mass of > firm, cream-coloured pulp, containing about three seeds each. This > pulp is the edible part, and its consistence and flavour are > indescribable. A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the > best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour > that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other > incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the > pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It > is neither acid nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these > qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other > bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to > stop. In fact, to eat Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the > East to experience. ... as producing a food of the most exquisite > flavour it is unsurpassed." > > Its funny, but wikipedia describes the smell as, " its odor is best > described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym > sock. It can be smelled from yards away. Despite its great local > popularity, the raw fruit is forbidden from some establishments such > as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in > Southeast Asia." > > The taste I could describe as a very less smelling jackfruit with soft > and dense bread or softened potato. Its sweet on the optimum level. > Smell I could describe as a very low mustard gas, but it doesnt smell > while eating and doesnt leave smell on hands too, like Jack fruit. > > Outer coat is too hard and sharp points that can hurt very badly, so > handle with care. > > The last pic has one TS and one LS of seeds. > > Pankaj > > -- > ********************************************************************** > "Taxonomists getting Extinct and Species Data Deficient !!" > > > Pankaj Kumar Ph.D. (Orchidaceae) > Conservation Officer > > Office: > Flora Conservation Department > Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Corporation > Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. > > Residence: > 36c, Ng Tung Chai, Lam Tseun > Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. > > email: [email protected] > [email protected] > [email protected] > Phone: +852 2483 7128 (office - 8:30am to 5:30pm) > +852 9436 6251; +852 5431 6094 (mobile) > -- GIBY KURIAKOSE PhD Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Jakkur Post, Srirampura Bangalore- 560064 India Phone - +91 9448714856 (Mobile) visit my pictures @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/giby
