Durian, << DOOR ee uhn, >> is a tropical fruit of Southeast Asia that is known for its sweet flesh and strong odor. It grows on a tree of the same name. Wild durian trees can stand more than 100 feet (30 meters) tall, but growers keep cultivated trees shorter, usually between 30 and 60 feet (9 and 18 meters) in height. The mature fruit has a round or oval shape. It typically weighs from 5 to 10 pounds (2 to 5 kilograms). The fruit’s hard, prickly, brownish or yellowish-green shell measures about 10 inches (25 centimeters) across.
Ripe durian is notorious for its strong odor—which many people find unpleasant. The odor is so strong that the fruit has been banned from some public places in Southeast Asia. The durian’s edible whitish-yellow pulp has a creamy texture and a sweet, complex flavor.
Durians were once rarely found outside of Southeast Asia. Since the late 1900’s, however, they have become more common in North American and European markets, especially in areas with Southeast Asian populations. People typically eat durians fresh. But food-processing companies also make durian pulp into such products as candies, chips, and food flavoring.
