If you have never seen a durian fruit (Durio zibethinus), it may at first look quite intimidating. I always found it interesting, that although the outside of this superfruit is spiky and sharp, the inside is sweet, soft and custard-like.
I suppose a bit of the harsh exterior just reflects on the inside, via it's powerful onion-like smell, but too me, if you get pass the ripe odor, this tropical fruit is quite the treat.
Many people on a raw food diet consider it a great source of good fats and long burning fuel for physical activity.
You, of course, either love it or hate it. I adore durian. Ken thinks it tastes like over-ripe apples and rotten onions, not so bad I guess...but he tends to stay clear when this mushy, off-white flesh appears before him.
This tropical Asian, Indonesian fruit, especially common in Malaysia and Thailand, is known as the "king of fruits" and if you look at the picture you can obviously see why. It is big and spiky, weighing between 2-7 pounds. It is oblong or rounded with sections of fruit pods and big seeds in the middle of them.
We bought a durian recently at an Asian food market. Choosing one was quite the adventure. I ended up talking to an older Asian man about "how to" pick the best one. He had been eating them his entire life and told me he likes them mashed with avocado, milk, banana and sweetener. His recommendation on durian selection was to pick the more rounded fruits (less obscure) where you can really see the seams (a line down the length where the spikes point inward.)
How To Open And Eat Durian Fruit
Basically, although it looks like a task to get it open, the durian easily tears apart once you find the soft seam line to split it. You must be very cautious with the thorny spikes, never push down hard on them with bare hands. Gently, push down on the seam or wedge a knife down into it and it will start to open.
After you get it open, you will see the durian "meat" sitting in little "pods" you can pick up and eat! That is my favorite way to eat it. There are usually several sections to the fruit that rip open to reveal more edible pulp pods. This particular durian fruit had five different segments to it.
I have eaten durian fruit alone, dried and in ice cream. Some people say it should not be eaten with other foods or flatulence may result. I haven't tried it, but it might be worth a try to eat it like suggested above, with avocado, raw honey, and nut milk. It certainly sounds yummy!
You can get fresh or frozen durian from between $5 to $10 at most Asian Markets. Your local China town is a good place to look. This fruit is a hard one to find fresh because they tend to spoil quite fast. Most are frozen for shipping reasons to preserve the quality and ripeness. Freezing them also stops the smell from leaking out, which is better for business.
In some public areas of southeast Asian durian is actually illegal because of the intense odor. I actually don't find the smell that bad, it just smells like over ripe fruit. I hardly noticed it when the durian was whole, it wasn't until we opened it that the "aroma" really became noticeable.
Durian Nutrition:
Durian is a great source of raw fat and is known for its effects as an aphrodisiac and for increasing fertility in women. It is also excellent for soft, supple skin and a healthy glow.
Many people on a 
After you get it open, you will see the durian "meat" sitting in little "pods" you can pick up and eat! That is my favorite way to eat it. There are usually several sections to the fruit that rip open to reveal more edible pulp pods. This particular durian fruit had five different segments to it.
