Durian fruit
Durian is a tropical fruit popular in Southeast Asia when it is commonly referred to as „the king of fruits”. It has got a lot of nutrients compared to other fruits but it has got one flaw, they produce a strong, unpleasant smell that is similar to the rotting meal. It is quite a big fruit characterized by its spiky and outer shell. The shell covers custard-like flesh that hides large seeds inside. The most commonly cultivated cultivar is Durio zibethinus. Its flesh can vary in terms of colors which commonly appear in yellow or white, but sometimes may also be red or green.
It is native to the tropical regions of the world, especially Southeast Asia and countries like Indonesia, Thailand, or Malaysia. The fruit grows up to 30 cm long and 15 cm wide. One ripe fruit contains up to 486 grams of edible pulp.
It is used to prepare various sweet and savory dishes. Both the fruit flesh and seeds are edible. The flesh can be eaten raw, while the seeds require cooking. The taste of this fruit is usually described as a mix of cheese, garlic, caramel, and almonds. It is commonly used to prepare soups, juices, desserts and ice cream, and side dishes. It is also used in traditional medicine, as the fruit has some medicinal properties.
The fruit is an excellent source of nutrients, vitamins, and essential minerals. It contains vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin b6, folate and niacin. It is a great source of manganese, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Durian also contains natural dietary fiber. The nutrients the fruit contains, make durian one of the most nutritious fruits in the world. It also contains a lot of natural antioxidants and healthy plant compounds.
The largest production of durians takes place in Indonesia, where up to 1191750 metric tonnes are produced every year. The largest area where durian is produced is the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, making Indonesia the world’s leading producer of this fruit. Due to its strong unpleasant smell, durian is not a common fruit in countries other than Southeast Asian countries.