Season of the Stinky Fruit

Durian season is fast approaching its end here in Bangkok. But before you rush out and get some to add to your fruit salad, consider a few things about this strange fruit. Though loved throughout Thailand and most of Southeast Asia, the durian has a flavor that most foreigners compare to turpentine and rotting garbage. And most significantly, it smells- so strongly that you can detect its presence long before you see it. Despite that, many people come to love it- its creamy texture, its complex taste. And hey, it’s great with coconut sticky rice.