Paleo Diet: Raw Paleo Diet and Lifestyle Forum

Raw Paleo Diet to Suit You => Omnivorous Raw Paleo Diet => Topic started by: goodsamaritan on May 24, 2009, 08:25:26 am

Title: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on May 24, 2009, 08:25:26 am
I'm in the province in the south and they grow Durians here.
So I bought from the outlet of the big farm yesterday 4 total kilos of durian.
Without the shell, it's still a lot. So relatives who love durians shared in it.
I love the smell of durian, while some people hate it.
I like the sweet and fat creamy taste of durian.
Some people are deathly afraid of durian being extremely high cholesterol and my uncle says he had a friend who died after mixing a lot of durian with beer!  Good thing I don't drink beer.

Your thoughts and experiences with durian?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: yon yonson on May 24, 2009, 08:41:10 am
haven't had one since going zero carb, but man are they delish! definitely my favorite fruit. and im sure i get pretty crappy quality ones in the states so i can only imagine how good a fresh one from over there tastes. for those curious, i'd describe the taste as a marriage between banana, butterscotch, and onion. sounds gross but its amazing
Title: sorry! tyramine again!
Post by: rafonly on May 24, 2009, 11:24:47 am

from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian)
"Durian fruit contains a high amount of sugar,[27] vitamin C, potassium, and the serotonergic amino acid tryptophan,[41] and is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.[35][32]
...
"Southeast Asian folk beliefs, as well as traditional Chinese medicine, consider the durian fruit to have warming properties liable to cause excessive sweating.[47] ... Pregnant women or people with high blood pressure are traditionally advised not to consume durian.[13][48]"


from:
http://www.elzbietacosmetics.com.hosting.changer.nl/lib/KING_AND_QUEEN.pdf (http://www.elzbietacosmetics.com.hosting.changer.nl/lib/KING_AND_QUEEN.pdf)

"Although durian is so much appreciated (some say that you may get addicted to them), there is not much information available on its chemistry. Eating durian is said to “heat the body” (i.e. significantly raise blood pressure). In combination with alcohol eating durian may even result in a stroke. Durian and alcohol do not go together well. Recent research revealed that MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI’s) are responsible for this phenomenon. 

"Harmane alkaloids (see also our column on “Passion Flower”; SPC, April 2004) are well-known (naturally occurring) MAOI’s, harmaline being the most active one. When neurotransmitters (mostly monoamines such as serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine are released they may either be re-used or converted to the corresponding N-oxides by monoamine oxidases (MAO’s). In the body the neurotransmitter concentration is elegantly controlled, mostly to control blood pressure.

"Tyramine, produced by fermentative decarboxylation of the amino acid tyrosine, belongs to the group of monoamines and occurs in aged cheese, wine, pickled products, chocolate, banana and avocado. Inhibition of MAO’s by MAOI’s such as the harmane alkaloids will result in increased levels of e.g. noradrenalin or tyramine in the blood, causing significantly increased blood pressure. Thus, harmane alkaloids may be used for the treatment of low blood pressure. 

"The presence of harmaline in durian kernels as well as in the fruit pulp has been confirmed. It will, in conjunction with alcohol, induce hypertensive periods, whereby the blood pressure is raised to absurd high levels, sometimes even reaching life-threatening values of 300. Durian is also a source for tyramine. In absence of alcohol tyramine is converted in the gastro-intestinal tract swiftly to the corresponding N-oxide, but this conversion is greatly inhibited by harmaline in the presence of alcohol. Thus, the tyramine level in the blood reaches unacceptable high levels, eventually leading to a stroke. The same happens when eating banana’s or avocado’s while drinking alcohol, particularly when the fruits are overripe.

"Durian seeds contain high levels of cyclopropenoid fatty acids, mainly malvalic and sterculic acid; these fatty acids contain 18 and 19 carbon atoms respectively. They cause sterility and other physiological disturbances involving fatty acid metabolism, including liver and gall bladder enlargement. It has been suggested that the toxicity is due to the addition of the cyclopropene ring to the sulfydryl group of proteins; the cyclopropene ring is highly strained and adds easily to a wide variety of substrates.

"Recent fundamental research revealed that cyclopropenoid fatty acids, in particular sterculic acid, inhibit Palmitoyl and Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (PCD, SCD). These enzymes convert palmitic and stearic acids into palmitoleic and oleic acids respectively. As the consequence of PCD or SCD inhibition palmitic and stearic acids levels are increased, at the expense of palmitoleic and oleic acids. Due to the inhibition of PCD & SCD the fluidity of the lecithin membranes is greatly reduced, which enables small molecules or ions to escape via the membrane to the outside world. A nice example of this phenomenon are chicken fed on cottonseed producing eggs with yellowish egg white due to iron ions that escaped from the egg yolk. 

"Cyclopropenoid fatty acid are not exclusive to durian seed (which contains 60-65% cyclopropenoid fatty acids). They also occur in e.g. cottonseed oil, kapok seed oil (Ceiba pentandra) and baobab oil (Adansonii digitata). Cows fed on cottonseed produce hard butter because of the inhibition of PCD & SCD; their butter contains significant higher levels of palmitic and stearic acid than normal butter."

Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: wodgina on May 24, 2009, 01:26:28 pm
Very interesting the effects these plant foods have on the body/brain. These fruits seem to have an imbalance of amino acids which cause problems unlike red meat.

Look how it makes DurianRider act.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: TylerDurden on May 24, 2009, 06:52:19 pm
I'd love to try out durian as it's one of the many exotic fruits I've never tried. I probably won't do well on it as most tropical fruits isn't as good for me as things like berries etc., and its plant-fat content worries me as well, given prior experiences with other plant-fats. Still, it's always worth a try.


. I had a look in Chinatown, years ago,  but no luck - the fruit I'd thought was durian turned out not to be. I wonder if there's a Filipino market somewhere in London(or a general southeast asian one?)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Josh on May 24, 2009, 09:29:29 pm
Dude, I've seen loads of these around the Banglatown area. I'm pretty sure it's the same fruit unless there's an exact look a like. Try the market near Whitechapel station, the shops all the way up commercial road towards brick lane and on brick lane.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on May 24, 2009, 10:09:41 pm
I love durian.  I wish I could get fresh, non-frozen durians here without paying $80 US for them.  The only place in the US that you can get fresh, non-frozen durian without mail-ordering them is in Southern California, 3000 miles away from me.  They're a little bit high-carb, but they're a great treat.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Josh on June 15, 2009, 11:53:38 pm
For the record, I asked a guy in Whitechapel and they were jackfruit not Durian. Dunno if any of them are Durian, but guess not.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: SkinnyDevil on July 01, 2009, 08:16:21 am
I've never had durian. Guess I'm gonna have to go get one and try it out.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on July 20, 2009, 07:08:49 pm

When I was in Thailand during the durian season, I fed almost exclusively on durians for two months and I was feeling great. “Almost” means perhaps 80 to 90% (in calories) since I sometimes ate some fish, tomatoes, sapotillas or jackfruit as well. I also ate a lot of durians in Sri lanka and Indonesia where common varieties are closer to wild durians.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on July 20, 2009, 07:54:21 pm
Hmmm.... thailand in Durian season...
I know Durian tastes really good.
But 80 to 90% durian each day for 2 months?
Sounds insane  :o

How did you feel during those 2 months?  What did the durian diet do to you during that time?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on July 20, 2009, 09:04:54 pm

But 80 to 90% durian each day for 2 months?
Sounds insane  :o

How did you feel during those 2 months?  What did the durian diet do to you during that time?

Yeah, it sounds insane, but as I felt very well I went on till I left the country... The good thing is also that after eating 2 or 3 durians you don't feel hungry for 24 hours ! So you don't need to worry about what kind of delicious foodstuff to find for your next meal: durians will do !

But I am also a big raw meat eater at times.
Title: Bam! It is Durian Season!
Post by: goodsamaritan on September 13, 2009, 09:15:47 pm
September is durian season in the Philippines. Oh man, last week and this week me and the kids have been raiding the supermarket durian. We are buying durian every other day. And I am glad it is durian season because this fruit is FATTY.

Now if you look at http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2088/2 for durian analysis it says there are more carbohydrates than fat in durian, well my tummy says that durian FAT is very very filling. I get this craving to eat lots of durian… but I just cannot… it fills me up… just like that! Funny thing is I see it in the kids too… except for my 6 year old boy… he can gobble up more durian than I can.

*** I must warn you beer drinkers to not mix beer with durian. It is a persistent and true urban legend that mixing beer with durian may be fatal to your health. ***

I have observed that some people are born to love the smell and taste of durian: There’s me, my father in law, and the children… from the very first time we smelled durian it was love at first smell and first bite. We love durian smell as the car air freshener and refrigerator air freshener.

Now some people absolutely hate the smell of durian. These spoil sports are very violent about their repulsion of durian. In durian cities like davao and general santos city I have heard that hotels have a no durian policy. Durian rights! Durian rights! Durian rights!

I heard from my father in law who just flew back from general santos city and they were selling durian there at 28 pesos per kilo! Awesome! My wife’s friend and her mother at one time actually flew in to davao city to purposely go on a durian binge and flew back to manila after they had their fill.

I’m still waiting for the buy one take one offer in Tiendesitas. I hope they push through this month. Last year was bad for durians, this year promises to be better.

(http://www.myhealthblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/packed-durian.jpg)
We buy packed durian sometimes for convenience and assurance of ripeness

(http://www.myhealthblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/durian-for-sale.jpg)
This is what Durian Fruits look like

from http://www.myhealthblog.org/2009/09/13/bam-it-is-durian-season-smooth-tasting-yummy-smelling-very-much-filling-durian/
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on September 14, 2009, 12:49:20 am
GS--

I wonder what it would cost to have you airmail me 1 or 2 fresh durians.  This thread is making me crave them.  :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: van on September 14, 2009, 03:10:07 am
Iguana,  I too have fasted on Durians.  Most addicting.  But after going zero carb now for a couple of years,  I wonder how I would fare with eating a food with such an insulin demand?  What are your thoughts? if any. 
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on September 14, 2009, 07:04:31 am
GS--

I wonder what it would cost to have you airmail me 1 or 2 fresh durians.  This thread is making me crave them.  :)

I have never done that.  I will ask the courier companies.

I think there are online shops that are equipped to air mail fresh durians.  Thailand is the mother source of durians you are looking for.  And their durians taste the best.

http://www.google.com/search?q=durian+online&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-a
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Josh on September 14, 2009, 08:57:23 pm
Cool. Is that jackfruit next to them?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on September 14, 2009, 09:01:47 pm
They are all durians.
The green ones are unripe.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on September 16, 2009, 03:52:51 pm
Iguana,  I too have fasted on Durians.  Most addicting.  But after going zero carb now for a couple of years,  I wonder how I would fare with eating a food with such an insulin demand?  What are your thoughts? if any. 
It wasn't a fast ! Or are you actually fasting on meat ? Are you addicted on meat ? Insulin demand ? What's that ? I don't give a dam about it - for whatever it might be.

Cheers
Francois
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: van on September 16, 2009, 11:42:17 pm
HI,  I was using the word fasting only to say that Durian was all I really wanted.    I thought you were a raw low carb eater?  What I was indicating is that now that I have been zc for a couple of years I wonder how I (my body) would do with a food (durian) that creates such a high insulin response (from the high amounts or sugars/carb).  It's also an almost unique fruit in that it's fat and sugar content are both high.  Some write that that is good, in that the fat slows down the sugars entering the blood, others write that the fat fruit diet is one of the worst combinations.    But from what you wrote, it appears you are not interested in insulin responses from foods you eat?    I don't believe I am addicted to meat,  although, now, there isn't much that does my body as good, ( and of course it's complimentary fat).   But that's me, at this time in my life.    Hopes this helps clarify things. 
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on September 18, 2009, 02:36:32 am
HI,  I was using the word fasting only to say that Durian was all I really wanted.    I thought you were a raw low carb eater?  What I was indicating is that now that I have been zc for a couple of years I wonder how I (my body) would do with a food (durian) that creates such a high insulin response (from the high amounts or sugars/carb).  It's also an almost unique fruit in that it's fat and sugar content are both high.  Some write that that is good, in that the fat slows down the sugars entering the blood, others write that the fat fruit diet is one of the worst combinations.    But from what you wrote, it appears you are not interested in insulin responses from foods you eat?    I don't believe I am addicted to meat,  although, now, there isn't much that does my body as good, ( and of course it's complimentary fat).   But that's me, at this time in my life.    Hopes this helps clarify things. 

I'm not a low carb eater, I choose my raw paleo food instinctively and therefore I'm not interested in whatever they are supposed to contain and whatever metabolic response they are supposed to trigger  :). As you say, some write so and so, some write the opposite... but no one really knows and no one will ever be able to know exactly what is happening in the almost infinitely complex biochemical reactions of digesting and assimilating different foodstuff contain billions of different kinds of molecules by different bodies at different times of their lives.

The only parameter I care for is : do I like it or not at this moment ? ;)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: van on September 18, 2009, 03:22:38 am
  Hey thanks for writing back.  I think we may have more in common that we thought.  I visited for weeks at a time, maybe five to six times, over six years the instincto castle in France.  So obviously I am very well versed in instinctive forms of eating.    I'll always remember watching a mother putting food in front of her baby's face and the baby pushing it away over and over till I wanted to literally go up to the mom and say 'your baby just isn't hungry'.   Well of course, as the story has it, just at that moment the baby found with the next offering, just what it wanted and ravished it down.  And then the whole process started over, with me once again almost going to the mom and saying that she is full and isn't hungry.  And then the baby found just what she wanted and wolfed it down.  This happened maybe my first time there.  It was a very big lesson for me.  Also I 'enjoyed' hearing and witnessing how the children rarely if ever got sick/runny noses etc....   
   Years go by, and here I am.  Now I believe I understand first hand the science, if you will, behind insulin resistance and it's ramifications.    What got me to try low to zero carb was a statement made by a zero carb eater who said that fruit eaters would rather get sick than give up their fruit.  That's all it took for me to look at my attachments, my beliefs, and ideas.   So I made an experiment.  I gave up carbs, knowing that it wasn't going to kill me.  My mind had to go through some pretty thick dogma to get to the other side.  And my body had to go through some equally rough times to Keto adapt and to learn to use fat as fuel source.     All I can say is that from that experiment I have now truthfully witnessed both sides of at least one equation.   If you might be interested in reading some very well written words about the effects of insulin from eating carbs, may I suggest the writings of Dr. Ron Rosedale.  I think he is most sincere in his efforts.   We all have our own paths.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on September 18, 2009, 03:32:25 am
Thanks Van for your answer. Do you speak French ?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: van on September 18, 2009, 11:20:18 am
No, not really,  so I wasn't able to sit in with,  I forget 'his' name, Mr. Burger.  Most of my time was with Nicole.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Inger on September 19, 2009, 06:07:41 am
I LOVE Durian, too.
Think I could eat only that..mmm..mm. Crazy.
I order it maybe once a week / twice a month. I dream of travelling to Thailand and eat/drink only Durians and young coconuts.. :P
Like heaven for me. -\
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on September 22, 2009, 07:55:05 pm
I'm finally gaining weight!
I think it is the durian everyday diet.
Durian makes me fat!
Good news... now I see I can feed my 8 year old thin boy durian every day to make him gain weight as well.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Dwight on December 11, 2009, 04:34:09 am
Singapore has plenty of Durians.  :D
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: ug on July 26, 2010, 06:27:26 am
I've found durian on rare occasions at the asian markets around where I like in the states...but they don't seem right...I was introduced to the fruit while living in Singapore and all I could remember was the smell of it...All the way down the road you would know if you were approaching a market that sold durian. It has a very characteristic and potent smell.

The ones I've found over here don't smell at all...I don't trust it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: kurite on July 27, 2010, 07:12:00 am
I gave up finding durian here in the US. I saw this thread and went crazy wanting to try durian. I called tons of asian markets and I finally found soem frozen durian! I cant wait for it to thaw!
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: MoonStalkeR on July 27, 2010, 07:26:21 am
I want to try durian and I see it in Asian produce markets occasionally. I can't detect its infamous odor either. Like ug, I am unsure if I should trust it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: kurite on July 27, 2010, 07:42:35 am
Anyone know how long to let it defrost for?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 14, 2010, 01:47:30 pm
I never tried durian. This video makes it sound disgusting


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VuXoX3Wt08&feature=channel
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Susan on November 15, 2010, 03:39:57 pm
Durian smells and tastes lovely, for me like vanilla ice cream, if my body needs it and smells somehow persistent like rotten onions if my body doesn't need it.

(http://www.allesrohkost.de/paleoforum/Durian_Tap_Tim.JPG)

Sometimes I like to eat the kernels:

(http://www.allesrohkost.de/paleoforum/Durian_Tap_Tim,_Kern.JPG)

In Germany we can order fresh Durian nearly the whole year, but sometimes only stored in plastic boxes. I' m happy, if I can get whole fruits, they taste still better. :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: yon yonson on November 15, 2010, 10:36:04 pm
susan: you eat the seeds?! i thought they were toxic or something.

sully: yeah, andrew zimmern can eat some weird stuff but for some reason durian is his nemesis. he just can't handle it. it's strange
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Susan on November 16, 2010, 03:13:47 am
@yon yonson: I don't care if something is said to be poisonous. I use my intinct, my smell and my taste and till know they never betrayed me. Of course it works only with raw, unprepared food.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: yon yonson on November 16, 2010, 03:30:09 am
cool, what do the seeds taste like? i ate durian fairly often while i was in thailand, but don't bother with buying it here. never thought to try the seeds though
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: ForTheHunt on November 16, 2010, 03:36:10 am
@yon yonson: I don't care if something is said to be poisonous. I use my intinct, my smell and my taste and till know they never betrayed me. Of course it works only with raw, unprepared food.

The kernels are toxic
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: B.Money on November 16, 2010, 03:50:09 am
Not to go off topic, but I wish we could start a thread or perhaps we already have them on whats toxic, whats not, and why we think so? I have been interested in eating cacao for its magnesium content but have been reading about its toxicity but how exactly do we classify something as toxic?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: KD on November 16, 2010, 03:55:40 am
I've eaten my share of durian, usually frozen but in-shell in Chinese markets. I've also eaten jakfruit right from the tree/ground.

another fruit which is somewhat in between druian and avocado in terms of excitement is breadfruit, but you have to basically let it rot for it to be very edible raw.

Even though these are all fatty fruits, durian and jakfruit especially are usually on the too sweet side for me these days.

I think durian is a delicacy for those who eat alot of sweet fruit, and avoid fatty things...as on its own of the rare combinations of both these in nature that is still mostly on the sweet side. For those like Zimmern, for one it probably isn't a match for the savory western treats he is used to eating and raw food people have less of these options so they go nuts over durian. Sure he eats some strange stuff but durian definitely has its own unique texture and flavor that just might not appeal to everyone. Some would also say that durian requires some kind of cleansed palate so that could factor in. He also had a hard time with aloe juice. I know the smell has never bothered me and others can't stand it.  Its entertaining, but for me the excitement factor or fatty allure of durian seems to have gone down on eating RAF as the way of the avocado.

I've eaten some seeds.

Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: KD on November 16, 2010, 03:59:28 am
Not to go off topic, but I wish we could start a thread or perhaps we already have them on whats toxic, whats not, and why we think so? I have been interested in eating cacao for its magnesium content but have been reading about its toxicity but how exactly do we classify something as toxic?

yeah, I would say that something that has known toxic compounds can be safely labeled 'toxic', but not everything that is 'toxic' should necessarily be avoided in all circumstances.

helpful? :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on November 16, 2010, 04:27:05 am
Everything can become more or less toxic if you eat too much of it. The toxicity is correlated to the dose: some substances may be useful and beneficial at a certain dose but become toxic if that dose is overtaken.

The appropriate dose varies from an individual to the other and also according to the actual state of that individual. Moreover, some stuff can be a staple food for an animal specie while being a poison for another specie.

I like to bite into durian seeds and sometimes I eat a little bit of it. Just like Susan.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Susan on November 16, 2010, 04:36:57 am
cool, what do the seeds taste like? i ate durian fairly often while i was in thailand, but don't bother with buying it here. never thought to try the seeds though

They taste nutty. :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 16, 2010, 04:44:42 am
sully: yeah, andrew zimmern can eat some weird stuff but for some reason durian is his nemesis. he just can't handle it. it's strange
Yeah, he actually seems to prefer animal foods over many odd plant foods.

I am curious if I would like durian.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on November 16, 2010, 05:06:17 am
Not to go off topic, but I wish we could start a thread or perhaps we already have them on whats toxic, whats not, and why we think so? I have been interested in eating cacao for its magnesium content but have been reading about its toxicity but how exactly do we classify something as toxic?

 Done here! (http://www.rawpaleoforum.com/omnivorous-raw-paleo/what%27s-toxic-what%27s-not/msg53504/#msg53504)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on November 16, 2010, 07:54:09 am
Aha, so Andrew Zimmern, the guy who likes almost everything, doesn't like durian. I searched Youtube and found a bunch of other people who didn't like durian the first time they tried it either. They tend to say it tastes like onions, just like Andrew. I had wondered why I've never even seen durian for sale despite folks here and at the raw vegan/fruitarian forums saying it was so great and this could explain it. Durian is apparently an acquired taste and smell for many people who aren't used to eating it, so it's probably hard to get a market going for it initially if there aren't a lot of people living in the area who grew up with it, like in California.

I'll definitely try it if I ever see it. I'm curious to find out whether eating raw Paleo will adjust my taste buds somehow so that it tastes very good to me the first time. The only problem is, a single durian probably contains too much fruit for me to eat in a single day without developing negative symptoms. Can the fruit be stored for several days to a week or so after it's opened?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: ys on November 16, 2010, 09:12:05 am
Quote
Can the fruit be stored for several days to a week or so after it's opened?

i freeze the leftovers, it comes to US from Thailand already frozen.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on November 16, 2010, 03:34:54 pm
To find durians, Phil, you have to go to Chinatown, or rather order it from GeneFit Nutrition (http://www.genefitnutrition.com/durian.html) to insure quality. Frozen ones are not as good – I think it’s better to avoid anything frozen anyway. Sure, you can open one side of a whole fruit, eat some and keep the rest in the fridge. They have 4 or 5 compartments and you can open one while the others remain closed. You can also take the meat pieces out of the shell and keep it on a plate in your fridge, a procedure recommended when the shell begins to rot.

Ripe durians slit a little bit by themselves at the bottom or sometimes at the top when they are really ripe; you can then open it without a knife just by inserting a finger in the gap and pushing along the splitting line.

Thais systematically open them with a machete. I don’t like this procedure and prefer to wait  until they start to slit, so I’m sure it’s ripe.

Durian is very nourishing and people on overload of fat and other nutrients usually don’t like it, being repelled by the smell. Others are attracted by their smell and they enjoy it. 
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Haai on November 16, 2010, 11:36:26 pm
@ Iguana
Have you ordered from that site yourself? I'm just wondering if they ship to Europe aswell as the US.
When they say meat only i guess that includes the seeds?

I went to Malaysia and Singapore and Brunei almost a year ago now and ate a lot of Durian, i could eat like 10 in a day. It's my favourite fruit but I havn't had any since I left SE Asia. I miss it loads!
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Haai on November 16, 2010, 11:40:34 pm
In Germany we can order fresh Durian nearly the whole year, but sometimes only stored in plastic boxes. I' m happy, if I can get whole fruits, they taste still better. :)

Where do you order your Durian from? I live in the netherlands so if they can deliver to germany then they should be able to deliver to NL too I guess/hope...
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on November 17, 2010, 12:08:47 am
Haai, you can order durian from Orkos (http://eng.orkos.com/Default_EN.aspx). I always order it from them, especially when they have a special offer - several time a year. They have whole fruits or meat and seeds only in punnets, which is more advantageous. Great quality.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Haai on November 17, 2010, 01:40:27 am
Thanks a lot! I've added it to my favourites.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Susan on November 17, 2010, 02:05:17 am
@Haai: Like Iguana I order Durian and many other delicious fruits, nuts and meat from Orkos (http://eng.orkos.com/Default_EN.aspx) or from Tropenkost (http://tropenkost-shop.de)

I prefer Orkos because they have more variety.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:13:24 am
Hey i am eating durian now for the first time!!!!!!!

IT IS GREAT!

THE TASTE IS FAMILIAR FOR SOME REASON

DELICIOUS
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: TylerDurden on November 18, 2010, 10:18:48 am
What is the taste like?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: KD on November 18, 2010, 10:20:28 am
that was quick...


THE TASTE IS FAMILIAR FOR SOME REASON

yeah sorta like bananas with a little bit of chicken fat and lemon meringue.  :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:37:24 am
What is the taste like?
I swear I think my mom fed it to me somehow. it is very very familiar taste, We used to get mexican popsicles all the time, that might of had a flavor like it. i definitely recognize the taste


burnt flavor (like burnt caramelized onions somwhat) not a stronge onion taste though (just like caramelized onions fried in som oil), very very sweet, creamy texture, a hint of banana, but mainly caramelized onions

so the burnt flavor, and very very sweet, creamy texture, like ice cream when partially frozen




it was frozen and thawed,
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:42:45 am
the first bite I was like.. People don't like this?

Andrew off of bizarre foods must be really used to junk food, to not like something with such a unique flavor and apreciate it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:47:01 am
I got it at an asian store. they had whole durian and forzen.

My mom always took me to the hispanic store elrey. Something I had from that store taste just like durian. Maybe some kind of candy or popsicle flavored with durian.

Its oddly familiar, I like it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:49:15 am
i got some dragon fruit too for the fisrt time

the asian stores here are amazing
http://www.bijlmakers.com/fruits/dragonfruit.htm
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 10:58:39 am
yeah, i tthink it was a popsicle i had when i was younger, haha funny, i guess i did have durian before

Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 11:01:48 am
ahhhhhhhhhhhh no

i searched durian candy!!!!!! it was this i had before
my mom must have bought it a few rimes ahhahahaha
http://www.sixthseal.com/archive/June2005/durian_sweets.jpg

Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 18, 2010, 11:07:04 am
ehhhh
that smell is in my room


it is all too familar, same smell as the candy lol
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 20, 2010, 07:51:30 am
http://ilovedurians.com/how-to-choose-a-durian/
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Sully on November 20, 2010, 07:54:35 am
has anyone tried the red durian?

does it taste the same?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on November 19, 2011, 11:17:39 pm
OK, I'm curious to try as close to fresh durian as I can get, though the exorbitant price means it will never be a staple for me, regardless of how fantastic it is. Genefit no longer sells durian, but their site directed me to this site, where they sell packaged Thai durian flesh:

http://www.exoticsuperfoods.com/shop/index.php?main_page=products_all&zenid=3ac19e5bcfc953c9ed7f8119150862fc (http://www.exoticsuperfoods.com/shop/index.php?main_page=products_all&zenid=3ac19e5bcfc953c9ed7f8119150862fc)

Thai Durian, Chanee
Price: $90.00

Thai Durian, Gradoom
Price: $102.00

Thai Durian, Mornthong
Price: $81.00

Thai Durian, Nok Yip
Price: $126.00

Thai Durian, Phuang Manee
Price: $100.00

GS says that Thai durian is the best, so this might be good, anyone have a better online source for durian that ships to the USA? If not, which one of these should I buy?

I've noticed that durian really seems to bring out the fanatic in people. Lots of people post online along the lines of "what's wrong with the people who don't like it?" or "what's wrong with the people who DO like it?" For some reason, lots of people don't seem to accept that foods taste different to different people. This seems to be more pronounced with fruits than most other foods. No one seems to get angry if someone doesn't like the taste of broccoli or mushrooms, but if someone shares their honest finding that durian tastes like fermented onion and they don't like it, then some people are liable to go off on them at Youtube.

Freeze-dried durian tasted like fermented onion to me, just like lots of folks have reported, so please don't shoot them. Some say that the reason that some durian tastes like fermented onion is that it isn't fresh, not that people's tastes differ, though the Zimmern Bizarre Foods video showing one person hating durian and saying it tastes like rotted onion and another loving the very same fruit attests otherwise. I'm curious to give fresher durian a try once to see what that tastes like to me.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Iguana on November 20, 2011, 02:10:51 am
It’s strange that the cheapest is the Mornthong, because in Thailand it’s the most prized and most expensive kind!  It’s got small seeds and a lot of very soft and tasty flesh but it’s the most selected. You can try it but I would prefer the Gradoom, which is a much wilder variety with a stronger, more typical taste. I don’t know about the other varieties they sell, except the Chanee, which is very common and cheap in Thailand but not at all the best, at least for me.

Overall, I find there’s often more difference between two durians of the same variety than between  two durians of different varieties, the oldest trees giving the best ones. The ripest ones are also the best for me and I always specify “very ripe” when placing an order to Orkos. A ripe durian should open by itself, but in Thailand they open them with a machete, most of the time before they’re fully ripe. Of course, they should also be ripen on the tree as long as possible. Anyway, the Thai ones have a fairly constant decent quality, unlike in Indonesia and especially in Sri Lanka where they’re all different, smaller, much more wild and ranging from very bad inedible ones (harvested much too early or from bad trees, or even both!) to the most delicious ones, with the broadest range of unique flavors. A very good Sri Lanka durian would be much better than the best Thai one, but finding the most delectable one to you and suiting you best is a real pastime in Sri Lanka!

As durian are very rich in some specific nutrients (fats and proteins, I think), it’s normal that it repeals people being in overload of the same kind of nutrients such as Westerners having consumed lots of dairy products and/or being in constant nutritional overload.

I would ask the guys of this company: is it still possible to import non-irradiated fruit in US? 
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: RawZi on November 20, 2011, 02:40:22 am
As durian are very rich in some specific nutrients (fats and proteins, I think), it’s normal that it repeals people being in overload of the same kind of nutrients such as Westerners having consumed lots of dairy products and/or being in constant nutritional overload.

    I heard durian has so much potassium in it that it is dangerous on risk of death to some individuals, that they will lose too many fluids.  I've tried durian fresh and dried.  Fresh was nice, but not my favorite fruit.  Dried was awful.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on November 20, 2011, 01:49:38 pm
I've heard that consuming durian with alcohol will kill you.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: RawZi on November 20, 2011, 01:56:04 pm
I've heard that consuming durian with alcohol will kill you.

    Both diuretics.  Maybe it's like putting two "downer" drugs together where it's said instead of twice the effect it gives about ten times.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on November 20, 2011, 04:32:14 pm
I've heard that consuming durian with alcohol will kill you.

Yep.  I've heard this too from my uncle.  He swears he once had a friend who died eating durian and drinking beer at the same time.

It's only prudent to follow the urban legend.  Besides, alcohol isn't healthy.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on November 20, 2011, 10:58:38 pm
It’s strange that the cheapest is the Mornthong, because in Thailand it’s the most prized and most expensive kind!  It’s got small seeds and a lot of very soft and tasty flesh but it’s the most selected. You can try it but I would prefer the Gradoom, which is a much wilder variety with a stronger, more typical taste.
It sounds like maybe a beginner should start with the milder Mornthong?

Quote
Overall, I find there’s often more difference between two durians of the same variety than between  two durians of different varieties, the oldest trees giving the best ones. The ripest ones are also the best for me and I always specify “very ripe” when placing an order to Orkos.
Some people have said that beginners should start with a less ripe durian, because they claim it will have less of the infamous "rotted onions" flavor then.

Quote
As durian are very rich in some specific nutrients (fats and proteins, I think), it’s normal that it repeals people being in overload of the same kind of nutrients such as Westerners having consumed lots of dairy products and/or being in constant nutritional overload.
Interesting speculation. I recall in one video report on durian, a local Asian woman said that she does not like durian. She was a city dweller so it's possible she could have been eating a Western, calorically rich diet.

It looks like the durian-alcohol problem is more than just urban legend:

Eating durian with alcohol can actually kill you
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating)

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many issues with durian. I never saw this stuff revealed on vegan sites. Thanks for the warnings. On second thought, maybe it would be better that I don't find one that tastes good, to avoid tempting myself with a fruit that is so expensive, of widely varying quality, possibly irradiated, and may be lethal with alcohol or due to potassium overload and dehydration?
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: zeno on November 20, 2011, 11:46:09 pm
Eating durian with alcohol can actually kill you
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating)

GS referred to this in the first post of the thread.

Some people are deathly afraid of durian being extremely high cholesterol and my uncle says he had a friend who died after mixing a lot of durian with beer!
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on November 20, 2011, 11:50:09 pm
Yes, thanks, and he repeated that report in his most recent post. I didn't think much about one person's second-hand report at the time of his original post, but seeing the rumor repeated by someone else got me curious, so I looked into it and found that there apparently is something to it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: RawZi on November 21, 2011, 12:53:45 am
Some people are deathly afraid of durian being extremely high cholesterol and my uncle says he had a friend who died after mixing a lot of durian with beer! 

    The same kind of people won't try an avocado off the wild tree for danger of dietary cholesterol and proceed to KFC for fried chicken, a fast food burger and coffee or cola, I've seen it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: Hanna on November 21, 2011, 04:35:23 am
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-17/health/28085519_1_durian-alcohol-eating)
I begin to understand why instinctos talk a lot about the "detoxifying" properties of durian... 
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: balancing-act on December 07, 2011, 03:49:39 am
Love love durian, and all I've had is the frozen. I can only imagine the real deal. Very fatty, nourishing, but not too overwhelming like avocado can be- if I had only one fruit to live on, it would probably have to be durian.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on December 07, 2011, 10:58:15 am
Why do you consider avocado overwhelming? I consider it bland, forgettable mush that is little more than a nice base for my raw fermented honey.

Avocado on its own is mediocre. Combined with raw fermented honey, it becomes one of the world's most sublime foods (though for some odd reason the avocado has ill effects on my, whereas the honey seems to provide me with some benefits).
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on December 07, 2011, 11:32:43 am
Why do you consider avocado overwhelming? I consider it bland, forgettable mush that is little more than a nice base for my raw fermented honey.

Avocado on its own is mediocre. Combined with raw fermented honey, it becomes one of the world's most sublime foods (though for some odd reason the avocado has ill effects on my, whereas the honey seems to provide me with some benefits).

Again, it depends on the variety and quality of the avocado.
The "lagkitan" variety of avocado in our markets is the very good variety.

Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on December 07, 2011, 11:35:47 am
Why do you consider avocado overwhelming? I consider it bland, forgettable mush...

Avocado on its own is mediocre.

You've never had tree-ripened, high-brix avocado.  Believe me, it's amazing. The difference is as big as the difference between frozen grain-fed beef muscle meat and fresh wild deer heart.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on December 07, 2011, 11:38:08 am
Oh well, I can only buy (or hunt/gather) what's available to me, of which I generally buy the best and I wait until the avocados are at their peak goodness before indulging in them (and if I wait too long, they become fibrous and nasty). Inland New England in winter is not the best place for buying the absolute-best tropical fruits.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on December 07, 2011, 11:45:29 am
Oh well, I can only buy (or hunt/gather) what's available to me, of which I generally buy the best and I wait until the avocados are at their peak goodness before indulging in them (and if I wait too long, they become fibrous and nasty). Inland New England in winter is not the best place for buying the absolute-best tropical fruits.

It's just a location thing.

You can't get great tropical fruits.

I can't get wild buffalo, or wild deer, or wild rabbit, or wild elk.
But I got tons of wild sea food.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: PaleoPhil on December 07, 2011, 11:49:33 am
True, true, GS. Thank you for helping us to focus on the positives.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: TylerDurden on December 07, 2011, 03:33:41 pm
It's just a location thing.

You can't get great tropical fruits.

I can't get wild buffalo, or wild deer, or wild rabbit, or wild elk.
But I got tons of wild sea food.

  Wild rabbit is rubbish in taste, and too lean. Wild hare is a lot better re taste.
Title: Re: Durian Festival March 10, 2012
Post by: goodsamaritan on March 14, 2012, 10:53:45 am
Durian Nutrition: Durian Festival in Calinan, Davao, Philippines (March 10, 2012) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5dlwodvggg#)

We were ultra lucky today. We first went to the Philippine Eagle sanctuary in the early afternoon. Then on the way home we had heard about this festival from the durian truckers we bought durian from. And just in time... they were at the closing part of the durian festival and they were giving away and opening free durian for everybody! All you can eat right there on the spot, no take homes. Awesome! Durian tastes better when it's free! Click link below to see pics!

http://www.myhealthblog.org/2012/03/11/durian-health-benefits-durian-festival-in-calinan/ (http://www.myhealthblog.org/2012/03/11/durian-health-benefits-durian-festival-in-calinan/)

(http://www.myhealthblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/durian-festival-excited-free-durian-very-big-150x150.jpg)
Title: Re: Various Durian Varieties
Post by: goodsamaritan on March 14, 2012, 10:23:13 pm
I went to a durian specialty restaurant owned by a durian farmer.

Called D'Farmer's Market in Davao City.

In his restaurant he has banners that show off the durian varieties he carries:

- Swarscott
- Puyat
- Cob White
- Chanee
- Canyao
- Arancillo

I know there is a "Native" variety, I wonder which one it is.

I bought 9+ kilos worth of various frozen durian from his restaurant and they packed it in a Styrofoam container so I could check it in the plane as baggage.

------------

Farmer name is: Larry B. Miculob
Cell phone: +63-917-7005408
Director / Treasurer of Mindanao Fruit Industry Development Council
Address is:
Pryce Road, Bajada, Davao City, Philippines
Telephone +63-82-225-4561

Title: Re: Nutritional Facts of Durian
Post by: goodsamaritan on March 14, 2012, 10:28:55 pm
In the D'Farmer's Market durian restaurant, he had a banner that states the nutritional facts of 1 variety of durian they had analyzed.

This does not represent the nutritional facts of other varieties of durian.  This is just 1.
Title: Re: Durian Milk !
Post by: goodsamaritan on March 14, 2012, 10:46:25 pm
See how durian crazy these people of Davao are!
I went on a motorcycle tour of Samal Island and chanced upon a dairy farm.
They produced DURIAN MILK!

(It's pasteurized... bummer.)

Google MAP pinpointing where the Dairy Farm is located: http://m.google.com/u/m/xTvbem (http://m.google.com/u/m/xTvbem)
Title: Re: Pic of a Durian Tree
Post by: goodsamaritan on March 14, 2012, 10:52:28 pm
This was a first for me to see a Durian Tree with fruit on it.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on March 15, 2012, 09:56:05 am
Awesome, man. :)
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: DopeDivinity on July 06, 2012, 04:32:21 pm
I love Durian. I just had some earlier today... 2 1/2lb logs of flesh, frozen, in a plastic box.

I've had it once, in whole form, albeit still prefrozen.

I would love to try it fresh... I would love to have as many as pictured in the first post! When I was eating it earlier, I was thinking... damn this is the Perfect Food.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: cherimoya_kid on July 07, 2012, 11:15:39 am
I love Durian. I just had some earlier today... 2 1/2lb logs of flesh, frozen, in a plastic box.

I've had it once, in whole form, albeit still prefrozen.

I would love to try it fresh... I would love to have as many as pictured in the first post! When I was eating it earlier, I was thinking... damn this is the Perfect Food.

You can get a fresh one for about $80 bucks, including shipping, by mail order.  Or, you can travel to San Diego, and get them fresh for about $25 each.  Fresh ones are unforgettable.
Title: Re: Talk about Durian
Post by: DopeDivinity on July 09, 2012, 01:08:57 pm
Wow, one of those routes I need to take. I've never really traveled much... going to San Diego would be awesome for a multitude of reasons! The CraftBeer scene comes to mind.