Durian

Lore & Background

The name durian is derived from the Malay word duri 'thorn', combined with the suffix -an. The type species name Durio zibethinus comes from the Italian zibetto 'civet', as the strong odour reminded people of the animal's smell. The earliest known European reference is from Niccolò de' Conti, who travelled to Southeast Asia in the 15th century, describing a green fruit as big as a watermelon with five interior sections resembling elongated oranges and thick butter.

Reader's Guide

The durian holds significant cultural and economic importance in Southeast Asia. It is the only species of the genus Durio commercially cultivated on a large scale and available outside its native region. The fruit's strong odour, which may linger for several days, has led some hotels and public transportation services in Southeast Asia, such as in Singapore and Bangkok, to ban it. The flesh is consumed at various stages of ripeness and used to flavour sweet desserts and savoury dishes. Since the early 1990s, domestic and international demand for durian in the ASEAN region has increased significantly, and in the early 2020s, a durian craze in China led to a large increase in international trade. Durian trees are pollinated by bats, birds, and giant honey bees, and the fruit matures roughly three months after pollination.

Did You Know?

• The name durian comes from the Malay word duri, meaning 'thorn'.
• Durio zibethinus is the only durian species available on the international market.
• The fruit can grow up to 30 cm long and 15 cm in diameter, weighing 1 to 3 kg.
• Some hotels and public transport in Singapore and Bangkok have banned durian due to its persistent odour.