Durian Fruit Facts and Health Benefits 101

Facts about Durians

The durian is soft, scrumptious, succulent and incredibly well-liked due to its distinctive qualities. The fruit is broadly adored as the King of Fruits in the South-East Asia.

The durian tree is originally tropical and is a member of the genus Durio from Malvaceae, a big group of plant species that also consists of hibiscus, okra and many others. It is botanically called Durio zibethinus.

The durian is unique due to its large size, distinctive odor, and solid thorn-covered husk. The size can go up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length and 6 inches (15 cm) across, and usually weighs 2-7 pounds (1-4 kg). Its shape ranges from oblong to round; the color of the husk varies from brown to green; and the flesh inside features pale yellow to saffron color based on the species.

The flesh may be eaten at different levels of ripeness, and has been employed as flavor base in numerous sweet and culinary preparations in Southeast Asian foods. The oval to round seeds can be eaten when cooked through and they taste just like almonds.

The fruit flesh produces distinctive scent that is robust and penetrating when the husk is still intact; this unique stinky flavor and strong odor of the durian have made most people expressing different and peculiar views ranging from great appreciation to extreme dislike about it.

Green Durians, Opened and Unopened

Health Benefits of Eating Durians

Durian fruit is abundant with energy, vitamins and minerals. Since it is high in calories, is durian fruit healthy? Let us look at some health benefits durians have:

The fruit consists of soft flesh which contains simple sugars such as sucrose and fructose plus some simple fats. It produces energy and revitalizes your body immediately and works extremely well as dietary supplement in the treatment for underweight kids. Even though it has a fairly large quantity of fats among some common fruits, but it is cholesterol free.
The durian is a good source of dietary fiber, rendering it an excellent bulk laxative. The dietary fiber content helps protect the mucus membrane of colon by reducing exposure time and binding to chemicals that cause cancer in the colon.
The fruit is high in antioxidant vitamin C. Intake of foods loaded with ascorbic acid helps body build resistance against contagious agents and at the same time scavenge hazardous free radicals.
The durian is a wonderful supply of B complex vitamins; an uncommon attribute among fruits, including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. All these vitamins are very important that the body needs to replenish from external source.
It contains also great amount of minerals such as manganese, copper, magnesium and iron. Manganese is utilized by your body as a co-factor to the antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzyme. Copper is essential to produce red blood cells, while iron is necessary for formation of red blood cells.
Durian fruit is definitely a good supply of potassium. The mineral is a vital electrolyte of body fluids that helps manage heartbeat and blood pressure.
On top of the above mentioned health benefits durians have substantial amounts of essential amino acid, called tryptophan, which metabolizes into melatonin and serotonin; these neuro-chemicals carry important tasks such as sleep induction and are used in epilepsy treatment.

Durian Calories and Nutrition Facts

Nutritional Value of per 100 g Durian
Calories	147kcal (614 kJ)
Total Fat	5.3 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	2 mg
Total Carbohydrate	27.1 g
Dietary Fiber	3.8 g
Protein	1.5 g
Calcium	6 mg
Potassium	436 mg

How to Choose and Buy Durians?

You have to make sure that the durian is not opened before you take an in depth whiff. The fine ones normally emanate an incredibly robust stinky scent.
You definitely want one with a stem still strongly attached. Additionally, check out the stem to ensure it does not have a dark color throughout.
Shake the fruit lightly. If you pick up the sounds of some soft stuffs thudding against one another that go "glook, glook, glook", chances are, the fruit is ripe.
Even unopened and frozen, a good durian is fragrant.

How to Store Durians?

Durians keep well for 1 or 2 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Use a flat container to prevent stacking the fruit one on top of another.
You can also store fresh durians in a container made for freezing. They keep well for up to 2 months in the freezer.

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