The Crop of the Day:

The durian tree

• Tall tree of the jungle: up to 40 m
• Temp: 25 -30 C; evenly distrib. rainfall: 1,500 - 2000 mm

• Long juvenility period, i.e. no. of years till first fruiting: 5-8-10 years
• Found mainly in lowland forests of Southeast Asia (maily Malaysia) with some species in peat swamp forests.
• Propagation: bud grafting: i.e. bud grafted on seedling rootstock
• Fruit yield: 10-40 fruits/tree in 1st yr.; up to 200 fruits after 10th yr.
• Threatened by deforestation.
• Suitable for light construction, door and window frames, wooden sandals, flooring, planking, plywood, sliced veneer and furniture.
• Limited durability, easy treatability

The durian "dilemna"

• On one hand ...
  • "Durian (--n.) : The fruit of the DURIAN, having a hard, prickly rind and soft pulp with an offensive odor"
  • "Some people would rather die than to smell the STINK of a durian."
  • "Like eating custard in a sewer."
  • "Overripe cheese, rotting fish,..."
  • The smell from hell, the taste from heaven."

• On the other hand!!
  • "Give me durian or give me death."
  • "... the pale yellow flesh had an appealingly creamy, custardlike texture and a very sweet taste."
  • "Durian, the infamous tropical fruit, banned in hotels and public transportation because of its foul odor, but craved by many who have become accustomed to it. "

The durian fruit

• Green to brown, pendulous, round to oblong; covered with sharp thorns 
• Capsule, which splits into five parts when ripe

• Each segment contains brown seeds covered with creamy, yellow pulp
• 1991: Malaysia: production: 180,715 MT; export: 34,904

Nutrition