Most cultures have foods that come under the heading 'an acquired taste' for outsiders: marmite in the British colonies,surstrømning in Sweden, balut in the Philippines, skærpekød from the Faroe Islands, chitterlings in southern USA.... Direct confrontation with such specialities can range from being a torture to a challenge. If you take special pride in eating weird international delicacies that gross out others, you're going to enjoy this series!
So get your taste buds tuned up, guys, 'cos today we're going to introduce you to Bombaceae Durio zibethinus L./Murr, a.k.a. Durian.

The creature is mostly seen in South-East Asia around July-October, in altar-like piles, where afficionados have set an astronomical price on its infamous head.
Unlike Elvis, despite being considerably smaller, durians cannot go into hiding: Part of their charm lies in an offensively penetrating characteristic pong, that provokes strong feelings in those who get into (too) near contact with it: these feelings range from ecstasy to gagging, to flight in the opposite direction when confrontation threatens!

The creatures look strange too. And are reputed to be heavenly in a peculiar way (or so I've been told - haven't tried the thing myself - yet). Oh, and people are known to do strange things with them: see the related article, 'Durian-jumping'.

So, what the heck is a durian anyway? Animal, mineral or vegetable?! .... >>