The durian (IPA: [duɾiɑn]) is the fruit of trees of the genus Durio. There are 30 recognised Durio species, all native to Southeast Asia and at least nine of which produce edible fruit.[1] The durian fruit is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and a formidable thorn-covered husk. Its name comes from the Malay word duri (thorn) together with malay suffix that is -an (for building a noun in Malay), meaning "thorny fruit".[2] Durian is widely known in Southeast Asia as the 'King of Fruits'.
The hard outer husk of the fruit is covered with sharp, prickly thorns, while the edible custard-like flesh within emits a strong, distinctive odour. Some regard this odour as fragrant while others find it overpowering or offensive. The seed can also be eaten after boiling, drying, frying or roasting.
Thailand grows and exports considerably more durian than any other nation, growing 781,000 of the world's total harvest of 1,400,000 tonnes of durian in 1999, and exporting 111,000 tonnes of that.
- ^ "Botany and Production of Durian (Durio zibethinus) in Southeast Asia" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-03-05.
- ^ Via durion, the Malay name for the plant. Oxford English Dictionary 1897; Huxley 1992.