When I was a child, durian was still a rare fruit. It wasn't commonly seen in the market, and I always felt that it only grew in Southeast Asia. Nowadays, you can easily find it in supermarkets and fruit shops. Even before you reach the fruit stall, you can smell its scent from a distance.
Why does durian smell so bad?
When it comes to smell, durian is most distinguished by its unique scent, as it is both foul and fragrant. A foodie once described durian as "a mixture of turpentine and onion, with the smell of gym socks, which can be smelled from several meters away," and even foodie Anthony Bourdain described durian as "after you eat it, your breath is as if you've just had a tongue kiss with a corpse." It is understood that durian is banned from being carried by passengers on almost all civil aviation aircraft worldwide, and it is forbidden to eat durian in some public places in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The foul smell of durian flesh is mainly caused by sulfur-containing compounds. Researchers have conducted experiments and found that the sulfur-containing compounds in the volatiles of the flesh are mainly diethyl disulfide, ethyl propyl disulfide, diethyl trisulfide, and 3-ethyl-2,4-dithio-5-hexanone. Sulfur-containing compounds generally release a pungent odor, which is why durian smells so "bad". In addition, durian peel and flesh are rich in ester compounds, which make the durian smell fragrant and fruity.
Is Durian as Nutritious as Three Chickens?
However disgusting it may be, the nutritional value of durian is still very special. Durian has long been known as the "King of Tropical Fruits," and there is a popular saying, "one durian is as nutritious as three chickens," to praise its high nutritional value. Unlike ordinary fruits with high water content, durian is a typical high-sugar and high-fat fruit. Every 100g contains 3.9g of fat and as high as 34.1g of carbohydrates (of which sugars and starch each account for about 12g). Therefore, it can definitely rank among the top in the list of high-calorie fruits, with a calorie content of about 147 kcal/100g, while a banana has only 91 kcal/100g.
Durian Should Be Eaten in Moderation
1. Durian should not be eaten with alcohol: Because both alcohol and durian are considered "heaty" and "dry" substances. If eaten together by diabetic patients, it can lead to vascular blockage, and in severe cases, it can cause burst blood vessels or stroke, so it is not advisable to eat them together.
2. People with a "heaty" body constitution, sore throat, cough, cold, "yin deficiency" constitution, or sensitive trachea should not eat durian, as it will worsen their condition and is not beneficial to the body.
3. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, durian is a "heaty" fruit. Eating too much of it can cause "internal heat" to rise and lead to symptoms of "dampness and toxins." To relieve the discomfort, you can drink kelp and mung bean soup or Prunella vulgaris soup.
4. Durian has high calories and sugar content, so people who are overweight should eat it in moderation.
5. Durian contains high levels of potassium, so people with kidney or heart disease should eat it in moderation.
6. Durian should not be eaten in large quantities at one time. If a ripe durian smells of alcohol, it means it has spoiled and should not be eaten.
In addition, drinking more water after eating durian, or eating more water-rich fruits, can also relieve the "heatiness." Pears and watermelon are good choices. Also, you can put some salt in the "cups" of the durian shell, add water, and drink it to relieve the "heatiness."
It is worth noting that eating durian and mangosteen together can prevent "heatiness," but it may cause constipation. Because both fruits are rich in fiber, they absorb water and expand in the intestines. Eating too much can actually block the intestines and cause constipation.