Durian, a gift from the exotic nature of Thailand, is one of the most unusual fruits in the world. It has many properties that are still not fully understood. Despite its mysteriousness to scientists, the Thai fruit attracted tourists. It did not leave anyone indifferent – neither those who liked it, nor those who were disgusted by it after the first sample. In an article about kinds of non-alcoholic beverages in Thailand we would like to mention fresh squeezed durian juice, which smells like hell and tastes like heaven!
Peculiarities of durian
What is the durian fruit? Its main characteristic is its impressive size, weighing up to 8 kg and up to 30 cm long. The flesh is protected by a thick skin, dotted with pyramidal prickles. Beneath it hides five oblong chambers filled with a light mass. There is a popular belief that their contents emit a pungent smell and give an unforgettable taste.
Believe it or not, the durian in Thailand is quite valuable as a fruit. The locals have even recognized it as a national treasure. They have been eating it since they were children. Thai people know that the durian fruit is rich in all the beneficial substances for the body. It is also one of the natural male aphrodisiacs.
The smell of durian is a legend. People spread the rumor that it smells like a decomposing corpse and should not be eaten. A milder version of eating durian is to eat it either after peeling or within half an hour, because later it will start to stink.
How durian grows
What does Thai durian taste like?
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The taste of durian is described by some as divine and the smell is poorly described. In reality, however, both the smell and the taste are equal parts. They are quite pleasant, but specific to Russian tourists vacationing in Thailand. Sometimes for the sake of curiosity, foreigners would leave the peeled fruit in the hotel for 24 hours, checking the veracity of the unbearable stench. No way! After a day or more in the heat it tasted more pleasant and had a hint of orange peel.
Taste of durian cannot be conveyed reliably, as every consumer has his or her own impressions of it. The way we look at it, the consistency of the flesh is similar to that of cheese or banana. The aftertaste is different for each person. To some tourists the fruit resembles rotten onions, to others – stale herring, to others – nut and cheese mass. But these are still the most innocuous comparisons taste of durian. There are also such lovers of exoticism in Thailand who identify its flavor with children’s feces.
In reviewing the beneficial properties of durian, it is worth noting its beneficial effects on the immune, cardiovascular, reproductive and nervous systems. Its richness in calcium, magnesium and zinc has the best effect on the activity of all parts of the body. Fibre from durian helps the digestive system function better, antioxidants eliminate harmful substances, and vitamin C contributes to the overall health of the body.
The bactericidal properties of durian make it easier for the immune system to fight pathogenic microbes. As an aphrodisiac, it increases male potency and gives women the chance to have offspring. If you regularly consume Thai durian fruit, you can achieve a natural cleansing of the airways and more productive lung function. But do not abuse it – the fruit increases blood pressure.
Buying durian
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Despite the spring and summer durian season, durian is sold year-round in Thailand. In winter you may come across unripe fruits, but it is easy to identify them by their hardness and lack of smell. The price of 1 kg of uncut durian is 100 baht. The pure pulp is sold in trays at a rate of 80 baht per contents of one chamber of the fruit.
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