Key information
The durian fruit is widely known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia, though its notoriously pungent smell frequently causes dramatic public incidents. In 2019, a university library evacuation involved 550 people fleeing alongside firefighters and emergency crews due to fears of a gas explosion, which was ultimately traced back to the fruit.
Descriptions of the scent vary widely from a strong onion or garlic odor to rotting eggs or sewage, leading to explicit bans on bringing the fruit into public spaces despite its widespread presence in local markets.
Despite the repulsive aroma, those who consume it describe a sweet flavor resembling almond custard with a hint of cheese, which has driven massive economic demand across the region.
China imported 8,000,000,000 dollars worth of durian during last year, fueling intense cultivation efforts in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam that unfortunately create severe deforestation challenges for local governments.
