Sunday Shoot: Fruit

Durian, like Lord of the Rings the world's population can be categorized into two neat groups, either those that love it to death or hate it like hell. Many unfamiliar pallates not familiar with this thorny fruit, often hailed as the king of fruits, may not be under any suspician that it is a potentially lethal weapon to the uninitiated. Durian season often occurs once a year though certain plantations have worked out a system to supply the fruit year round. Once you braved the thorny outer husk, try whiffing the smell of the fruit. Some will recoil with utter disgust as Adrian's friend from Japan found out while others will claim there isn't any other aroma sweeter than this heavenly body. It's so pungent certain places (airports and hotels) have outlawed this fruit from being brought into their premises.

To be fair there are various types of durian with different textures, consistency, flavour, taste and of course smell. Some may like the custard looking firm D24 (often touted as the best among the lot) while others may settle for the watery puke looking white flesh varient. Different regions within Malaysia too boast that their kind are the best among the competition. Whatever the criteria the only real test to whether one will become a durian fan is to actually taste one.

I wouldn't be surprise that Fear Factor would use this in their stunt one day seeing how foreigners react to it, though there are some converts to the Durian cult. For me I love durian, not all the variety, I still like the form sweet kind and shun the more bitter fruits. The only wat to select a good durian is to open the fruit and smell it, some of the stall owners are kind enough to open the fruit and if it not up to quality decline payment. Prices can be steep too depending on the type and place. Usual prices range from RM10 and above for a kilogram. So if you're ever down in Malaysia, this is one experience you must try, like tasting balut in the Philippines.

The stall owner opening the fruit to reveal the golden bodies inside.

Displaying the quality fruit to potential buyers.

Durian on display.

Beware thorny problem ahead, proceed with caution.

Buyers selecting the perfect fruit.

The final product from your efforts in breaching the fruit.