Durian away from Durians?

Some people love it, some people hate it, and some people hate to love it! The durian, D. zibethinus. That large spiky green fruit from Singapore, Malaysia & South East Asia with a really strong pungent odour. And what causes the stink you ask? None other than the culprits, 1-(ethylsulfanyl) ethanethiol and ethyl (2S)-2methylbutanoate, you see in the Durian Thank You Card below.

If you can be en-durian the strong aroma, you might get to try the creamy yellow custard flesh inside that tastes way better than it smells. Dare to try it? Durian season is in July & August in Singapore. There also exists many durian flavoured pastries, cakes and desserts, including a durian McFlurry I consumed a few years ago.

The pungent smell of a durian can really linger for days and that is why it is also famously banned on public transportation. This sign is from inside an M.R.T. train in Singapore.

This king of fruits has also inspired a building. The Esplanade Theatre by the Singapore River is aptly nicknamed "The Durian" because of its uncanny resemblance to the fruit.