A closeup of a half cut durian.
FOOD NEWS
Durian Fruit Has A Notorious Smell, But What Does It Taste Like?
By Elias Nash
A person holding a durian.
Durian is infamously known for its smell, which has been likened to Limburger cheese and old socks. However, its smell has overshadowed its predominantly sweet flavor.
Durian fruit on a plate.
Its flavor has been compared to caramel and vanilla, but it also depends on which variety of durian you eat — it's estimated that there are over 500 varieties.
A bowl of durian dessert beside durian fruit.
Durians also have a funky, savory undertone that some liken to garlic, and their pale flesh has a creamy, custard-like texture that is soft enough to slurp.
Cut open durians bearing fruit.
Broadly speaking, durian types fall into one of two categories, sweet-leaning or bitter-leaning, and their intensity can vary dramatically.
Various types of durian sizes.
There are also durian varieties that offer a balance of bitter and sweet, and the world’s most popular variety, Musang King, falls in this category.
A cut open durina surrounded by whole durians.
Musang King durians have a star-shaped pattern on their bottom, and despite having a more pungent smell than most other types of durian, it has a rich, buttery texture.