By agrimag
Known for its pungent smell yet delicious meat, the durian remains a consistent favorite among Filipinos. The fruit is also used to create different products such as candies, jams, tarts, pies, ice cream, and more.
So if you’re one of those people who can’t get enough of durian, here are five fun facts about it:
The durian is ripe once it falls from the tree
One way that farmers know if a durian has reached its maturity is when it falls from the tree. Many farmers used to sleep in their orchards just to hear the fruit drop and harvest it immediately before animals can get to it. But since the fruit has risen in value over the years, farmers don’t wait for the fruits to fall to the ground anymore. Instead, they install big nets underneath the trees to catch the falling fruit. Others ask workers to climb the tree and tie strings to the durians’ stem so when it ripens, it detaches from the tree but doesn’t hit the ground.
There is a right way to choose durian
When buying durian, there are some things to consider to make sure that you only choose the best. The first is that the fruit should not have a cracked bottom; having one means that there’s a high chance that the fruit will be watery and that the fermentation process has started, making it no longer fresh.
Another thing to do is give the durian a shake and listen for a knocking sound. This will help you determine if the flesh is dry or creamy or if it’s too moist and soggy. A rule of thumb is good durians have a slight knocking sound to show that the flesh is separated from its chambers. No knocking sound means the flesh is firm but too much noise can mean that the fruit is overripe.
Lastly, make sure that the stem is still attached to the durian and that it is green and moist. This is how consumers can tell if the durian is fresh or old. Dry stems signify that durian is no longer fresh.
There are about 30 available kinds of durian in the world
Not many are aware of it but there are 30 recognized species of durians in the wild. But of that, only nine kinds are edible. Many cultivators grow durian through cloning farming methods to get different looks and tastes.
Durians have different flavors
When we talk about durian, people usually think about the strong taste that is a mix of savory, sweet, and creamy. But not many enjoy this flavor. Luckily, since there are other kinds of durian in the world, there are also other flavors that consumers can enjoy.
For instance, the Gang Hai durian from Malaysia has a paste-like texture with a mild and sweet flavor.
It can be added to any meal
Durian isn’t just good to be used in snacks or sweets. It can also be used as an ingredient in many dishes. It’s sometimes used in rice, salads, pizzas, and more. The possibilities are endless, you only have to be brave enough to try them.
These are only some of the facts about durians. Don’t be discouraged by its strong odor or spiky skin, there’s a lot more to durian than what meets the eye (or nose).
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