Any Durian experts?

[Tanja_swe]

I'm thinking of buying my first durian after seeing Alissas DVD. Anyway, I have a few options and I don't know what is best to choose.

* Buy a whole fruit? (price aprox $17 per kilo)
I can choose between, Durian Gradoom, Durian Morn Thong or Wild Durian. Any recommendations?

* Buy only the flesh? (price aprox $27 per kilo)
My options here are Durian Morn Thong or a "no-name" Durian.

Thanks in advance!

[sachis2112]

All I know about durian is that, when it ripens, the seam will split on it's own. But that you should eat it immediately when that happens. And, based on what everyone says about the smell, you'll know when it splits.

You don't have to wait for it to split but I've read that it tastes at it's best then. And, since I have no flipping idea as to how else you can tell it's ripe, that's how I'll be judging my first one.

[Revvell]

I would suggest, before spending that kind of money that you find a place where you can taste it. Believe me, it is an acquired taste.

I was at a function a few weeks ago where durian was being sold. I purchased a small plate ~ about 4 pieces, ate one ~ lied to myself that it wasn't that bad as so many here like it (many like fungus too and I've not gotten beyond that), had another piece ~ gave the rest away. I had that taste in my mouth for the rest of the day. ICK!

But, you might be one of those who just LOVES it!!!! :)

As far as best way to purchase? Can't answer that.

Revvell

[Tanja_swe]

Thanks for your answers! I really would like to try a small piece before I order a whole one but I haven't found them anywhere here in Vienna, Austria yet :( but I'll keep looking :)

[angelandarose]

I was at a function a few weeks ago where durian was being sold. I purchased a small plate ~ about 4 pieces, ate one ~ lied to myself that it wasn't that bad as so many here like it (many like fungus too and I've not gotten beyond that), had another piece ~ gave the rest away. I had that taste in my mouth for the rest of the day. ICK!

Revvell


LOL!! I tried my first papaya the other day because everyone just raves about them and I did the same thing you did, I lied to myself that I liked it. Then the second bite I couldn't lie to myself any longer. HA HA HA HA HA!!

BTW you said fungus.. are you talking mushrooms?


Angie

[Revvell]

BTW you said fungus.. are you talking mushrooms?
Angie

Yuh! The only mushrooms I've liked so far are the lil curly guys that I mix with lemon and salt and they taste like seafood. Anything else tastes like ummm, well ~ I just made a mushroom gravy. It's down the drain.

I made a mushroom soup out of someone's book ~ almost tossed my cookies. Do NOT like fungus!!!

Oh! When I was eating cooked, someone once made some with wine or something, butter ~ whatever. Now, those were good. Raw? *holds nose*

I do like papaya though, specially blended with 'nanas. Mangos better though. :D

Revvell

[angelandarose]

YEP, know the feeling. I tried stuffed portabella's and just couldn't eat them. I scraped off the stuffing and ate the stuffing alone. I thought I was the only one that didn't care for raw mushrooms. I agree, cooked in a butter sause they are YUMMY!

I'm scared to try a durian. I have always said I will try anything ONCE. So if I ever come a cross a place that will give me a sliver I will have to give it a try.

I don't know what it was about the papaya, maybe the texture? Maybe it wasn't a good one. I bought some mangos (which I just adore mangos) that tasted really funny. Almost a chemical taste... I tossed them, they were nasty.


Angie

[Revvell]

Be afraid, be VERY afraid... :p

Folk say one can find them fairly easily in Asian Markets. I've not found that here. There is a place on the westside that provides them and coconuts. I think you can order them from them. Now if I could just find the addy...

Maybe RT knows?

I was at a convention so got to try it. Any raw convention stuffs going on your way?


Revvell

[angelandarose]

I am roughly 150 miles from the nearest (that I know of) Asian market. I live in no man's land. LOL! The farmer markets will be starting up very soon if not already, although that is just local produce and not exotic stuff.

Does anyone know of any Raw Conventions around the Geodetic Center of the United States? LOL!! I would absolutly LOVE to go on that week get a way I saw listed and be able to try lots of new things but that's a bit out of my price range in this time of my life. One day when the kids are all gone I shall be taking many such exotic vacations. ;)

Angie

[dreamrawalwz]

I just tried a Durian yesterday. After reading the board I was thinking of trying it. Well I got it open after it "biting" me a few times lol. The inside to me looked like...eh pale blobs, like custard blobs with a thin layer on top (you know, when pudding gets left out?). I got a tiny amount on my finger, barely lickable and at first it was like a nutty vanilla pudding and was good. Then came the after taste - just like the smell and wouldn't get out of my mouth! I have read that there are those that love it though, you may just be one. :p

[Ginger]

Fresh durian is better than frozen! I will leave durian skins in every room of my house just because it smells like heaven to me! My 2 year old loves em also! My first taste of a durian was a frozen one & I did not like it! At first! :D I cannot stand papaya, to me it tastes like someone peed on it! Except the little ones, for some reason they taste like flower nectar! Weird huh?

[Revvell]

Actually, the lil yellow ones which I think come up from Mexico are quite different from the larger ones ~ sweeter and juicier I think. (Papayas I mean).

Revvell

[Lady Green Jeans]

Interesting thread. Adore papaya--the large ones are called Mexican at my market and have to be RIPE to be good--the outside gets almost gross looking and it's ready. The smaller, yellow ones are usually from Hawaii and do taste different--could see the reference to nectar. Like them both.

Durian I've read about for at least 20 years and bought a frozen one at the Asian market in San Diego. A really nice young lady helped me select a nice one. Defrosted as instructed and tried it. Unusual but I did like it. I opened all the sections, removed the seeds and froze the pieces flat in double ziploc. Freezer still smells like it, but I used some today in a green smoothie--divine! Do not mind the smell for the taste.

Will try a fresh one if/when I get the opportunity and someone will assist in the selection.

Laugh at the numerous love/hate comments and remembering when SAD and tried blue cheese for the first time and how vile I thought no-one would willingly eat this (same with coffee by the way). Grew to like both though now grateful beyond belief that neither are in my life any more.

[Abigail]

Mon Thong is hands down the best kind of Durian, IMHO. If you have never tried Durian before, Mon Thong is the way to go. You want to ease into it as Durian, as most people have said, is an acquired taste. Mon Thong has the mildest "smell." Fresh is definitely better than frozen. I eat frozen Durian out of desperation. Can't find fresh ones in my neck of the woods. :(

[Sarah]

So glad to know that I'm not the only one who hates papaya! I think that it smells and tastes just like vomit - yuck!!! And yet I almost feel guilty somehow that I can't convince myself to like it, when it is meant to be "so good!"

[THX-1138]

So glad to know that I'm not the only one who hates papaya! I think that it smells and tastes just like vomit - yuck!!! And yet I almost feel guilty somehow that I can't convince myself to like it, when it is meant to be "so good!"

Have you tried dried papaya spears? They taste much better than the fresh ones. They're much sweeter and yet there isn't any sweetener added to them. They're so good you can eat them like taffy! :p

[Sheryl]

If the papaya is hard and leathery it's unsweetened. If it's soft and chewy it's been candied. That's my understanding anyway. They often don't show that on ingredients, but it's true in Australia. My husband happily munched on them when we first went raw until I showed him the ingredients.

http://www.nutsonline.com/driedfruit/papaya/sweetened.html
Ingredients:Papaya, sugar, sulphur dioxide

Some spears are juice sweetened though. That would be better!

[Sheryl]

D24 durian is my favourite (I've only had it and Mon Thong). The flavour was much more intense, but it could have also been because it was organic.

We have a case or so of fresh organic durian coming from up north on Friday - D24 mostly. I'll let you know how they taste!! I want to try the red durian one day!

http://diaspora.class98.org/wp-content/cj/Red-Durian-from-Sabah.jpg

For the moderators: This photo is externally hosted, as are any I use!

Cheers,
Sheryl

[aisah]

Hi Tanja_swe,

I am no durian expert but I am an expert when it comes to consuming them!! :D It is surely as acquired taste. You have to get the 'right' one to surely say you like it or not. Yes the fresh ones simply cannot be compared with the frozen ones. Even with the fresh ones, it is best to get them locally and not shipped but this is just my opinion. There are many varieties to the durian. Many different texture, taste, smell ranging from light to strong. Some are with big seeds and less meat while others are way too soft and creamy in the meat with the smallest seed ever!! I hope you find a good and reasonably prized one. So if you have tried one and you do not seem to like it, never give up on it, for there are many varieties to this King of Fruits!! Have a blast!

best ~ a

[aisah]

I want to try the red durian one day!

wow Sheryl! Red Durians??! This is the first time I heard and seen it? Whereabouts are they from? I am going to Chiang Mai this Friday and hopefully I can find some there!! I have tried D24, Mong Thong, many nameless others and the latest I have tried Butter Durian.... oh my God! The Butter Durians are so soft and creamy and lovingly sweet! Just like a butter but with a sweetness to it! I am not on a mission....

Hunt for Red Durians :cool:

best ~ a

[rawpriestess]

I'm not an expert, but I do know that the Moon Thong is the best, at least in the opinion of the people I know.

we can get frozen durian here for less that $1.00 per pound, and fresh for about $3.00 per pound, in the Seattle area, Asian markets.

so, we are very lucky,

but it's not my favorite food. In fact, I've only eaten it once, although I've had the opportunity many times.

I think we have a sense of smell for a reason, if we like the fragrance of a food, then we are supposed to eat it, if we don't like the fragrance, then we arent supposed to eat it.

It reminds me of a story, The Bear, and in it the bear gets hurt, and he's drawn by the smell of the sulfure springs, he want to go there, (because he is hurt he needs the heat and the curing aspects of the sulfur), where before he hated the smell.

I always remember this when I am drawn by a fragrance or repelled by i