Smells like $hit.

While we're on the topic of overseas travel, I wanted to mention something about exotic fruits. Has anyone ever tried durian? I went to the Vietnamese restaurant today for something safe like grilled pork chops over rice (NOTE:I need to be accompanied by a Viet when going to try something new) and an avocado boba when I scrolled down the menu and my eyes lingered over "Durian Boba"...

I heard rumors that this particular fruit really does smell like shit. Obviously it must because why would certain Asian countries ban this opprobrious item? With its thorny outer skeleton and tough cuticle, one would think it came out of a Super Mario Bros. game- so why would someone eat that shit??? I went to Seafood City this past weekend with my mom and strolled by the aisle freezers and saw this intriguing fruit and asked her what the big whoop was...well, she said it tasted really good even if it smells like shit. Like, umm, WTF?! Anyhoo, one of these days, I'm going to take the hit and buy either a shake or the entire fruit itself.

Here are some important tidbits to note about this peculiarity:

*Green to brown, pendulous, round to oblong; covered with sharp thorns
*Capsule, which splits into five parts when ripe
*Each segment contains brown seeds covered with creamy, yellow pulp
*1991: Malaysia: production: 180,715 MT; export: 34,904

The durian "dilemna"

On one hand ...
"Durian (--n.) : The fruit of the DURIAN, having a hard, prickly rind and soft pulp with an offensive odor"
"Some people would rather die than to smell the STINK of a durian."
"Like eating custard in a sewer."
"Overripe cheese, rotting fish,..."
The smell from hell, the taste from heaven."

On the other hand!!
"Give me durian or give me death."
"... the pale yellow flesh had an appealingly creamy, custardlike texture and a very sweet taste."
"Durian, the infamous tropical fruit, banned in hotels and public transportation because of its foul odor, but craved by many who have become accustomed to it. "

NUTRITION FACTS
Component
Per 100 g
Energy
153 cal
Moisture
64 g
Protein
2.6 g
Fat
3.4 g
Carbohydrates
27.9
Beta-carotene
140.0 mg
Vitamin B1
0.1 mg
Vitamin B2
0.13 mg
Vitamin C
23.2 mg

This is gross folks, but maybe the more appropriate thing to do is eat durian while taking a shit. You get the picture.

Happy Eating!
P