MALVACEAE: Durio sp.

[Pankaj Kumar]

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: pku...@kbfg.org
          sahani...@gmail.com
          pankaj...@rediffmail.com
Phone: +852 2483 7128 (office - 8:30am to 5:30pm)
           +852 9436 6251; +852 5431 6094 (mobile)

[Pankaj Kumar]

Two more pics.

[Neha Singh]

Thanks Pankaj for sharing all - pics , information n yr experience.
It is an interesting read.

Neha S

[Dr Pankaj Kumar]

Thanks Neha....

[Ushadi micromini]

better you experiment ... on our behalf...
ha ha ha....


Thanks for sharing the pics and description... phew!!!

some cheeses should be banned in NYC trains and buses , similarly...

and most things on the streets and peoples' behavior about personal
matters in INDIAN cities...

Usha di
========

>           sahanipan...@gmail.com
>           pankajsah...@rediffmail.com

> Phone: +852 2483 7128 (office - 8:30am to 5:30pm)
>            +852 9436 6251; +852 5431 6094 (mobile)
>

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[mani nair]

Thanks Panka ji for the nice photo.  In fact during the fruit and malavaceae week I was searching for the  photo of the fruit in Picassa but unfortunately I did not take any photo of the fruit during our visit to Singapore.    In Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand the fruits are plenty.  Every nook and corner you will see it for sale.  Some people do not like the flavor of it. In some hotels  we saw in notice board  that guests are not allowed with Durian.    When I first saw the fruit in Thailand, I thought it is Jackfruit and afterwords the vendor told me that it is Durian. In Thailand it is liked by majority as they make various delicacies out of it.

Regards,

Mani.

[Giby Kuriakose]

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

--
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

[Pankaj Kumar]

:) this is the right time dear, or come to Hong Kong.
Pankaj

           +852 9436 6251 (mobile)

[Gurcharan Singh]

Forwarding for ID

Distributed as Durio species

Group discussion at

MALVACEAE: Durio sp. (google.com)

[Gurcharan Singh]

Forwarding for ID

Distributed as Durio species

Group discussion at

MALVACEAE: Durio sp. (google.com)

[Gurcharan Singh]

Forwarding again

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

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