11) Who named the “King of Fruits”!

Posted on December 1, 2012 Updated on December 1, 2012

Regarded by many as the “King of Fruits”; durian, is native to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.  British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace famously described its flesh as “a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds”.

During his stays in Malay Archipelago (1869) Wallace described “to eat durians is a new sensation, worth a voyage to the east to experience’.

The flesh is best when it’s ripe, though it can also be consumed at various stages of ripeness.  The unripe fruit makes good vegetables.  It is also used to flavour wide variety of Southease Asian cuisines.  The seeds can be eaten when cooked.

Durian is a spiky round or oblong husk containing pods in yellow custard-like fruit.  The trees are tall and straight.  Durians orchards are danger zones often covered with nets.  As the fruit strikes a man in its fall is strong enough to kill.

The fruit emits a pungent distinctive odour, you either like it or hate it.  It has a very unique character.  Some regard it as pleasantly fragrant; others find the aroma disagreeable.  The odour has led to the fruit’s banishment from hotels, airline cabin and public transportation. 

It is no wonder Wallace the “father of biogeography” in the letter to Sir William Jackson Hooker stated – “If I had to fix on two only as representing the perfection of two classes, I should certainly choose the Durian and the Orange as the king and queen of fruits.”

Durian flowers are usually closed during the daytime, I believe it is because the King needs more rest than others!