Durian is actually very fragrant and the core is edible! How to choose a good durian?

Durian, the "weird smell collector" in the fruit world, is irresistible to those who like it, while those who hate it stay away from it. Recently, I heard that the price of durian is going to drop, which makes durian lovers ecstatic!

You know, Chinese residents love durian very much. The Thai Ministry of Agriculture said: China is the world's largest buyer of Thai durian. In 2021, the scale of my country's durian retail market reached 49.02 billion yuan, and 821,600 tons of durian were imported, of which 821,560 tons were imported from Thailand, accounting for as high as 99.99%.

However, as the "king of fruits", people still have many questions about it, such as whether it is "fragrant" or "stinky"? Does the durian shell have any other value besides being able to prick people? Who should be cautious when eating durian? Don't worry, let's talk about durian in this article.

Is durian fragrant or smelly?

People are divided over the smell of durian, which is a combination of "fragrant and smelly". Some say it smells like a gas tank, while others say it smells like shit. If you bake durian in an oven, your neighbors might mistake it for "baking shit".

Why does durian smell so special?

In fact, the normal smell of fresh durian is very sweet, accompanied by onion and elegant fruity aroma, which is very pleasant to smell. However, if the durian is picked too late and over-ripened on the tree, it will emit a sulfur smell. In addition, if the durian is stored in a closed environment, it will also emit a special odor.

Someone analyzed the flavor components of seven common durians and found that durian has a total of 58 volatile substances, so the flavor is rich. The presence of esters and sulfides gives durian its own unique and strong aroma. Sulfur compounds give durian a unique "onion-sulfur" smell. The different content and proportion of sulfide compounds will also make people have different perceptions and evaluations. The sulfide component is the highest in the Golden Phoenix durian, so its smell is the most special and strong; the presence of esters gives durian a fruity aroma and a pleasant smell. This component is the highest in the Golden Pillow durian, but it is also affected by genetics, environment (temperature, rainfall, altitude), cultivation, harvesting technology and other factors. [1]

How nutritious is durian?

Although durian has a strong taste, it is very nutritious.

-Vitamins: The vitamin content of durian is better than many common fruits, such as B vitamins, vitamin E, niacin, etc.

- Minerals: Durian is high in potassium and magnesium. In particular, the potassium content is as high as 261 mg/100 g. [2] This is higher than the potassium content of bananas, which are known to replenish potassium. Eating 100 g of durian can meet 13% of the average person’s daily potassium requirement and is also helpful in controlling blood pressure.

-Protein: Although the quality of protein in fruits is not as good as that in meat, eggs, milk and beans, in terms of protein content, durian is also considered to be a top-notch fruit, providing 2.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is 6.5 times that of apples.

-Dietary fiber: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database, the total dietary fiber content of durian is 3.8 grams per 100 grams,[3] which is 1.6 times the total dietary fiber content of apples.[4]

However, although durian is rich in nutrients, its calories should not be underestimated. The calories per 100 grams are as high as 150 kcal, which is equivalent to a small bowl of rice.

How to use durian shells and durian cores?

Although durian is soft inside, it is covered with armor and has thorns. Most people will throw away the durian shell and durian core after eating durian, thinking that these two things are useless.

▲Photo: Durian shell (left), durian core (right)

In fact, they can really be used. The white inner skin of the durian shell and the durian core can be used to make soup, which can increase the flavor of the soup. The durian core can also be cooked and eaten alone. After cooking, peel off the outer skin and there is a small kernel inside. It tastes a bit like chestnuts and is quite delicious.

▲Photo: The small kernel inside the durian core

In addition, durian shell and durian core also have some nutritional value. Animal experiments have shown that the extract of the white inner skin of the durian shell has a certain anti-inflammatory effect; [5] the durian core contains vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

How to buy a good durian?

- Look at the cracks: When durian is ripe, the shell will crack. Try to choose ones with smaller cracks. Large cracks will increase the risk of contamination.

- Look at the color: As the durian matures, its shell will gradually turn yellow, which may be due to the increase in the β-carotene content. [6] Therefore, choosing a durian with a yellower shell means it is relatively more mature. If the color is green, it means it is not mature enough and the taste may be worse.

- Smell: Choose those with sweet and fruity smells. Avoid those with obvious odors, as they may be overripe or spoiled.

- Feel the thorns: As the durian matures, the thorns will gradually soften and the tips will turn brown. If the durian thorns are green or very hard, it is not mature enough. [6]

▲Picture: The tip of the thorn turns brown

-Tap and listen for sound: As the fruit reaches a certain degree of maturity, a gap will appear between the flesh and the shell. Tap the fruit with something (such as the back of a knife) and it will make a hollow sound.

- Choose a variety: Golden pillow durian is the largest, has more flesh, smaller seeds, and a higher edible rate, but has a thick peel and a higher organic acid content; Musang King durian has a larger fruit, more flesh, a thicker peel, and a higher soluble solids content. [7]

How to store the purchased durian?

If durian is left for too long, people will smell the bad odor more easily. This is because durian is a respiratory climacteric fruit, which means that the respiratory rate will suddenly increase from the time when growth stops to the time when aging begins, and there will be a peak period. This process will release ethylene, and the respiration rate will increase rapidly, and the fruit will become more mature.

Studies have found that at temperatures of 24°C, 27°C, 30°C and 33°C, durian has very active respiratory changes. Overripe durian is prone to rotting and stinking. [6]

Therefore, in order to suppress the degree of respiratory rupture during storage, durian must be placed in a relatively low temperature environment. However, since it is a tropical fruit, it will suffer chilling damage if the storage temperature is too low, especially when stored with the skin on. The skin is more susceptible to chilling damage. For example, golden pillow durian will suffer chilling damage when stored at 13°C. [6]

Therefore, if the durian you bought is in the shell, it is recommended to store it at about 15℃, and it can be stored for up to 3 weeks. Because the durian flesh is less susceptible to cold damage than the durian shell, you can also peel the durian flesh separately, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. Depending on the maturity, it can be stored for up to one month. However, if it is stored for too long, the flavor may deteriorate, so it is best not to store it for more than half a month.

In addition, you can also freeze the durian pulp. Even if it is stored for more than 3 months, the flavor is still good, and you can also get a durian ice cream.

Who should eat durian with caution?

Although durian has a unique flavor and a smooth and sweet taste, not everyone can eat it. There are four types of people who must eat less or no durian.

- Diabetic patients: Although its GI value (glycemic index) is not very high, only 49, which is a low GI food, its carbohydrate content is as high as 28.3 grams/100 grams, containing sucrose, glucose, maltose and fructose. Eating 100 grams of durian GL (glycemic load) is greater than 10, and the increase in blood sugar is still quite obvious.

Therefore, if you have high blood sugar problems, try not to eat it.

- Obese people: Durian has the highest calorie count among fruits. Eating a fistful of durian is equivalent to consuming a small bowl of rice, and nearly three times the calories of an apple. If you want to control your weight or lose weight, you should control your diet and eat less durian.

▲Photo: 1 piece of durian flesh without the core weighs about 90 grams

- Patients with kidney disease: Durian is a high-potassium fruit. Patients with kidney disease and hyperkalemia should try to eat less or no durian.

-People who are allergic to durian: Some people may be allergic to durian, so don’t eat it.

Summarize:

Durian freedom may be coming, but durian lovers should not show off too much at once, otherwise you will really become "round"!

The three essentials for opening durian: a suitable knife + a pair of thick gloves that are not afraid of being pricked + a knife that can be used to break it open

References:

[1] Chen Dongjie, Li Huisheng, Sui Qing, Yuan Yanling, Zhang Yuhua, Duan Yupeng, Sun Chongde. Analysis of postharvest quality and volatile odor of seven durian varieties at maturity [J/OL]. Food and Fermentation Industries: 1-12 [2023-05-09]. DOI: 10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.035314.

[2] Yang Yuexin. Chinese Food Composition Table 6th Edition Volume 1[M]. Peking University Medical Press, 2018

[3]https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168192/nutrients

[4]https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168202/nutrients

[5] Xie Guo, Wu Minzhi, Cheng Jinle, Zhan Ruoting, Chen Weiwen. Study on the anti-inflammatory effect of durian peel extract [J]. Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015, 32(1): 130-135

[6] PAN Yonggui. Postharvest physiological quality changes and storage technology of durian fruit[J]. Fruit Trees in Southern China, 2008(04):45-47.

[7] Mao Haitao, Lin Xinge, Ding Zheli, Ming Jianhong, Gao Hongmao, Sun Xinhang, Tang Yuedong, Zhou Zhaoxi. Comparative analysis of main fruit traits of nine durian varieties[J]. Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences, 2020, 61(11): 2360-23612365

[8]https://glycemicindex.com/gi-search/?food_name=durian&product_category=&country=&gi=&gi_filter=&serving_size_(g)=&serving_size_(g)_filter=&carbs_per_serve_(g)=&carbs_per_serve_(g)_filter=&gl=&gl_filter=

The article is produced by Science Popularization China-Creation Cultivation Program. Please indicate the source when reprinting.

Author: Xue Qingxin, member of Chinese Nutrition Society, registered dietitian, health manager, public nutritionist

Reviewer: Ruan Guangfeng, Deputy Director of Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center

Source: Starry Sky Project