The taste of durian is quite controversial, with lovers praising it for being soft, sweet, and rich, and haters criticizing it for having a cat feces-like smell. Putting its taste aside, its nutritional value should not be underestimated. According to Professor Wang Xiaobo, Director of the Nutrition Department at Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, it is the only highly nutritious fruit that is high in fat, sugar, and calories, earning it the reputation of "King of Tropical Fruits." Eating it in moderation is very nourishing for the body.
Effects: The popular saying "one durian is as nourishing as three chickens" is due to durian's great tonic effect. It is especially recommended for those who are weak after an illness and for postpartum women to eat more in moderation. In addition, durian has the effect of invigorating blood and dispelling cold, which can help relieve symptoms for those with a cold stomach and women with menstrual cramps.
After eating durian, avoid drinking alcohol.
Selection: It is best to choose one that is at least 70-80% ripe. When selecting, ask the vendor for advice; experienced ones will lightly tap its shell to listen for the sound to determine its ripeness. Also, smelling it is a good method; generally, the stronger the aroma, the better. Furthermore, it is best to choose one with a rugged, multi-faceted shape like rolling hills, as it will contain more flesh. Because it is not advisable to eat too much durian at once, it is recommended to buy the peeled flesh. If you smell an alcohol-like odor, it is likely spoiled and should not be eaten. Consumption: Eat it raw, or use it as a filling for pastries or pancakes, but some of its nutritional value will be lost during processing.
Reminder: Because it is highly nourishing, it is recommended not to eat too much in a day to avoid "heatiness" (a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine). If you eat too much, you can eat a few "cooling" mangosteens to "neutralize" the effect, or you can boil its shell in salt water to drink to reduce internal heat and relieve stagnation. Obese individuals, and patients with diabetes and high blood pressure should not eat it in large quantities. People with kidney or heart disease should also eat less. Additionally, avoid drinking alcohol after eating durian to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.