FRUITS & VEGGIES MONDAY by @lenasveganliving

growing on trees in moist, tropical climates throughout southeast asia, durians have a limited season and an extremely short shelf life. the trees themselves, sometimes as tall as 130 feet, are pollinated by bats 🦇

because of the short duration of tasty ripeness, durians are expensive, and purchasing one is a solemn, smelly ritual: only by odour can one determine whether a durian is truly ripe 👅

to us asians, eating durian can’t be adequately described with words. durian has a characteristic delicious flavour, creamy texture, and tantalising fragrance that is just.... durian!! - the king of fruits, nature’s most magnificent fruit gift 👑

durians have a very unique taste, being both appealing and slightly repulsive at the same time. they can be very strong, and is equivalent to eating garlic - it is a taste you’ll find repeating in you throughout the day. and how about the smell? some say it has been likened to rotting onions, unwashed socks and even a sewer full of rotting pineapples!! however, i personally find that the taste of durians are mildly sweet, almondly and very creamy, not unlike a rich cheesecake. it has a whiff of alcohol about it, which explains why eating it gives you this hot feeling inside - like you’ve downed a shot of vodka

in fact, the chinese believes that you shouldn’t eat too much durians, or you’ll develop “internal heat”. and you should definitely not eat durian with alcohol