Indonesian President says grow more Durian

[Cindy Adair]

 

Thanks to Director IPS Laz Prieguez for passing on this link.

 

It quotes the President of Indonesia who recommends growing Durian fruit trees instead of more oil palms.

 

http://www.itfnet.org/v1/2019/03/indonesia-jokowi-tells-oil-palm-tree-growers-to-turn-

 

[rprimbs]

Somehow I found this funny.  I actually saved a couple of seeds from a particularly durian and sprouted them.  I will have to see how they're doing.  They are strictly greenhouse plants for Southern California in the winter.

 

 

[PalmatierMeg]

I remember how Andrew Zimmern gagged at the mere mention of durians on Bizarre Foods. Definitely scared me off trying them.

[Gonzer]

17 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I remember how Andrew Zimmern gagged at the mere mention of durians on Bizarre Foods. Definitely scared me off trying them.

Along with surströmming, the two most vile foods he's ever encountered. Viler than vile!

[oasis371]

Durian is the most disgusting, nasty fruit ever.  I bought one once (for the seeds as I have a tropical fruit tree collection); once the fruit ripened and I had sampled the putrid fruit, I burned the seeds in case one should ever manage to survive a Winter in NJ..., LOL.

[Darold Petty]

Guys, it is different when really fresh and completely ripe.  During the 1998 Biennial we were treated to lavish plates of fruit at each meal.  That's when I first tasted durian and enjoyed it.  I do find it to be very filling and only a small volume is plenty.  Also, something else to consider, the old folk saying, in reference to purported aphrodisiac properties.....

"When the durian comes down, the skirts go up!"    

[Zeeth]

I've had frozen durian and didn't much enjoy it; the taste was too strong. However, a local Thai place sells durian smoothies that are delicious. 

[oasis371]

yeah, right, it's an aphrodisiac. Very cleaver marketing, why else would anyone eat this disgusting fruit?!

[GottmitAlex]

Ist durian produced from a palm in the first place?

 

[Xenon]

2 hours ago, oasis371 said:

yeah, right, it's an aphrodisiac. Very cleaver marketing, why else would anyone eat this disgusting fruit?!

Durian is by far my favorite fruit and maybe even favorite food period. There's nothing that quite matches the creamy and fatty texture, the sweetness, the aroma...it's definitely a one of a kind fruit (and a polarizing one). I've only ever had frozen durian, can't even imagine how heavenly a tree-ripened fruit would be *salivating*. 

Durian itself is kind of a premium fruit even in Southeast Asia, and select varieties (Musang King, D24, etc) command high prices. Not to mention the other wild species in the genus like Durio dulcis, D. graveolens...oh my. I assure you that a lot of people are infatuated with this fruit and not because of marketing or it being an aphrodisiac haha 

Edited April 10, 2019 by Xenon

[Xenon]

2 hours ago, GottmitAlex said:

Ist durian produced from a palm in the first place?

 

Durian belongs to the Malvaceae (Hibiscus) family 

[sgvcns]

++++++durian

Even the locals aren't 100%

[bgl]

Pretty obvious from the responses here that durian is a unique fruit - either you love it or you hate it. For those who haven't tried it (yet) - keep an open mind,  all I can say.  I have had both frozen durian (in Southern California, flown in from Vietnam and can typically be bought in Asian type food stores in San Diego and Los Angeles),  and it was pretty good. Have also tried durian in many different places in SE Asia,  and there can be quite a difference how powerful the flavor can be between different localities Some have had an excellent strong flavor while others have been disappointingly weak.  Durian is an amazing fruit with contradictory flavors. The first time I tried it I couldn't decide whether it was disgusting or delicious. Fortunately, I tried a second time. Some have the ability to appreciate its richness and they are rewarded with one of life's most unique experiences when it comes to fruit. 

[Gonzer]

7 hours ago, bgl said:

 one of life's most unique experiences when it comes to fruit. 

Well now Bo, seems that's one of life's little experiences that I'll pass on . Reminds me of an old adage about AstroTurf...a ballplayer said "if a horse can't eat it, I ain't playing on it".

[Xenon]

25 minutes ago, Gonzer said:

Well now Bo, seems that's one of life's little experiences that I'll pass on . Reminds me of an old adage about AstroTurf...a ballplayer said "if a horse can't eat it, I ain't playing on it".

Somewhat ironic because it is one of the favorite fruits of many large mammals like orangutans, tigers, elephants, tapirs etc.  

[Xerarch]

18 hours ago, Xenon said:

Durian is by far my favorite fruit and maybe even favorite food period. There's nothing that quite matches the creamy and fatty texture, the sweetness, the aroma...it's definitely a one of a kind fruit (and a polarizing one). I've only ever had frozen durian, can't even imagine how heavenly a tree-ripened fruit would be *salivating*. 

Durian itself is kind of a premium fruit even in Southeast Asia, and select varieties (Musang King, D24, etc) command high prices. Not to mention the other wild species in the genus like Durio dulcis, D. graveolens...oh my. I assure you that a lot of people are infatuated with this fruit and not because of marketing or it being an aphrodisiac haha 

Where do you find frozen durian? Asian markets?

[Xerarch]

9 hours ago, bgl said:

Pretty obvious from the responses here that durian is a unique fruit - either you love it or you hate it. For those who haven't tried it (yet) - keep an open mind,  all I can say.  I have had both frozen durian (in Southern California, flown in from Vietnam and can typically be bought in Asian type food stores in San Diego and Los Angeles),  and it was pretty good. Have also tried durian in many different places in SE Asia,  and there can be quite a difference how powerful the flavor can be between different localities Some have had an excellent strong flavor while others have been disappointingly weak.  Durian is an amazing fruit with contradictory flavors. The first time I tried it I couldn't decide whether it was disgusting or delicious. Fortunately, I tried a second time. Some have the ability to appreciate its richness and they are rewarded with one of life's most unique experiences when it comes to fruit. 

Looks like my question above has been answered, guess I should read to the bottom of the thread first. 

[Xenon]

5 minutes ago, Xerarch said:

Where do you find frozen durian? Asian markets?

I don't know about your area, but they are readily available at most Asian markets in Houston due to the large Vietnamese and Chinese population here.  The vast majority of the frozen ones are the 'Monthong'  type imported from Thailand (I have never seen Durian from Vietnam for sale here).  A few markets sometimes have frozen Malaysian durian (Musang King). Fresh Monthong durian is also occasional seen, very pricey. In my experience, Thai 'Monthong' durians seem to be the ones most commonly found in the Little Saigon area (Orange County, California) as well. 

[joe_OC]

LOVE Durian shakes!  Have no problem that so many westerners don’t like them.

[palmsOrl]

I just got a hold of some seeds of this fruit, a neighbor brought over some Chinese dishes and durian was included.  The thing is, I saw some at the local Asian market and they were kept frozen, so if this is the way she procured the fruit, I have no idea if the seed will be viable.

[Xenon]

15 minutes ago, palmsOrl said:

I just got a hold of some seeds of this fruit, a neighbor brought over some Chinese dishes and durian was included.  The thing is, I saw some at the local Asian market and they were kept frozen, so if this is the way she procured the fruit, I have no idea if the seed will be viable.

That's jackfruit, not durian. 

[palmsOrl]

Ahhhh, well now I know, thank you Xenon.

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

On 4/10/2019 at 5:49 PM, Xenon said:

I don't know about your area, but they are readily available at most Asian markets in Houston due to the large Vietnamese and Chinese population here.  The vast majority of the frozen ones are the 'Monthong'  type imported from Thailand (I have never seen Durian from Vietnam for sale here).  A few markets sometimes have frozen Malaysian durian (Musang King). Fresh Monthong durian is also occasional seen, very pricey. In my experience, Thai 'Monthong' durians seem to be the ones most commonly found in the Little Saigon area (Orange County, California) as well. 

Wow i lived the first 35years of life in Garden Grove Ca and had never heard of Durian which with what i have read from this thread should've been brought up at some point as i had many vietnamese friends. I mean i have had balut (hard boiled duck embryo) which is delicious why am i just now hearing about this fruit haha =) 

[greysrigging]

They're an acquired taste....haha...... commonly grown in Darwin, with lots of fruit for sale at local markets...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-12-20/darwin-durian-farm-famous-in-asia/10631128

[palmsOrl]

Darn, I was hoping for a cost free growing challenge, as durian certainly would be in Orlando (would obviously require a lot of winter protection).  I am sure jackfruit will be as well, but I don’t believe it is ultratropical like durian.

[joe_OC]

Eating Durian is like eating Japanese Uni.  You either love it or hate it.   I, myself, LOVE both!  

[oasis371]

Now Jackfruit, I love.  Easy and fast from seed as well.

[Mangosteen]

To those who won't even try it, HUGE lose on your part.

To those who have only tried frozen (than thawed out) Durian from an Asian market please hold your judgement until you have tried it fresh in some S E Asia country. Think about if your only experience with raspberries were frozen ones.

It wasn't an acquired taste for me. I first tried it in Penang, Malaysia and loved. I don't find the "smell"  offensive at all and the taste is heavenly, but its very filling.

[joe_OC]

32 minutes ago, Mangosteen said:

To those who won't even try it, HUGE lose on your part.

To those who have only tried frozen (than thawed out) Durian from an Asian market please hold your judgement until you have tried it fresh in some S E Asia country. Think about if your only experience with raspberries were frozen ones.

It wasn't an acquired taste for me. I first tried it in Penang, Malaysia and loved. I don't find the "smell"  offensive at all and the taste is heavenly, but its very filling.

They make amazing smoothies!