Durian
Aug 12, 2011, 9:43 am
#17
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Some of the seed flesh (that's the part you eat) carries a rather bitter taste. Some people will buy 3-4 fruits and only eat a couple of seed pods from them (the flesh is very rich).
In contrast to what the 1st respondent said, they're not a popular item among Koreans AFAIK (don't see them at my local Korean markets). They are much more popular in SE Asia (so think Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and probably Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma).
When they're imported here, they're generally imported frozen (some chain called RCSS sell them in select areas in Canada). I don't know if this affects the taste and flavour (not sure how ripe the fruit was in the first place).
In contrast to what the 1st respondent said, they're not a popular item among Koreans AFAIK (don't see them at my local Korean markets). They are much more popular in SE Asia (so think Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and probably Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma).
When they're imported here, they're generally imported frozen (some chain called RCSS sell them in select areas in Canada). I don't know if this affects the taste and flavour (not sure how ripe the fruit was in the first place).
Aug 12, 2011, 9:44 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
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Posts: 1,950
I saw that episode and have also eaten durian a number of times and I can not reconcile his reaction. I'm kind of indifferent on how much I like it, it's OK, and interesting but not one of my most favorites nor one of my least favorites. I could see how allot of people wouldn't like it or the smell, but it does not strike me as nearly as gut wrenching as Andrew Zimmern portrayed. Especially after all the other stuff that guy has eaten.
Aug 12, 2011, 9:51 am
#19
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Some of the seed flesh (that's the part you eat) carries a rather bitter taste. Some people will buy 3-4 fruits and only eat a couple of seed pods from them (the flesh is very rich).
In contrast to what the 1st respondent said, they're not a popular item among Koreans AFAIK (don't see them at my local Korean markets). They are much more popular in SE Asia (so think Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and probably Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma).
When they're imported here, they're generally imported frozen (some chain called RCSS sell them in select areas in Canada). I don't know if this affects the taste and flavour (not sure how ripe the fruit was in the first place).
In contrast to what the 1st respondent said, they're not a popular item among Koreans AFAIK (don't see them at my local Korean markets). They are much more popular in SE Asia (so think Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and probably Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma).
When they're imported here, they're generally imported frozen (some chain called RCSS sell them in select areas in Canada). I don't know if this affects the taste and flavour (not sure how ripe the fruit was in the first place).
Aug 12, 2011, 9:54 am
#20
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I could see how allot of people wouldn't like it or the smell, but it does not strike me as nearly as gut wrenching as Andrew Zimmern portrayed. Especially after all the other stuff that guy has eaten.
Aug 12, 2011, 10:07 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
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The ripe fruit tastes quite good, however it packs a very pungent smell and you can smell it from a mile away. It's banned on the Singapore Subway for a reason. Someone brought one onto the Skytrain in KL and the whole car stunk really bad after one or two stops.
Aug 12, 2011, 12:11 pm
#22
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+1 It is no where as offensive as the "western" media makes it out to be.
I thought he would have tried this but apparently he hasn't.
I thought he would have tried this but apparently he hasn't.
Me? I'm veggie!
Aug 12, 2011, 1:10 pm
#24
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- Bourdain 1 - Zimmern 0 
Aug 12, 2011, 2:24 pm
#25
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The other one to try (now part of Loblaw's/RCSS) is T&T and they have locations in the YYZ and YOW areas.
Durians are seasonal too and I have no inkling of when that might be.
It was an airport in Malaysia, so that makes sense, not sure I know anywhere I can get Malay groceries.
Aug 13, 2011, 2:42 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 153
i've had it but it was fresh straight off of the tree in chantaburi, thailand (one of the major durian growers) and outside. i guess the factors made the experience as pleasant as it could be. i liked it although i'd have to try it again sometime. i bought some dried durian chips on the way home and there's barely any essence of durian in it.
Aug 13, 2011, 8:52 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
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400 baht!?! Yikes! In season (roughly May through August) one typically sees roadside stands selling them for 20-30 baht per kilo. I am not a fan - to me it tasted something like a slightly rotten sweet onion.
Aug 13, 2011, 10:06 am
#30
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Location: London
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I find it odd that there are people who love the taste but dislike the smell. I usually stop in my tracks when I catch the fragrance and will go up to the fruit to drink in the scent - delicious!
I've had mixed results eating it in London, the first time I tried it the texture and some of the taste reminded me too much of a rotting onion, and not a particularly sweet one. Next attempt was much better, the fruit tasted much more closely to the smell - buttery/vanilla/citrus is a good description I share with the poster above.
However, perfectly ripe mangosteens remain my favourite fruit and these are even more elusive for a London dweller than decent durian.
I've had mixed results eating it in London, the first time I tried it the texture and some of the taste reminded me too much of a rotting onion, and not a particularly sweet one. Next attempt was much better, the fruit tasted much more closely to the smell - buttery/vanilla/citrus is a good description I share with the poster above.
However, perfectly ripe mangosteens remain my favourite fruit and these are even more elusive for a London dweller than decent durian.