Question:
I don't know how many people here know what durians are.
Durians are considered the King of the Fruits by South East Asian people. It has a hard thorny shell. (indeed the fruit is so heavy and thorny that it is capable to be used as a weapon!!! One angry fruit seller had been reported to throw one at his customer and was arrested for assault).
Durians have a strong taste and strong pungent smell that make you HATE or LOVE it. Many people hate durian and scram away from the overwhelming smell. Others love it so much and there is a joke that a woman can sell her baby in exchange for a bag of durians.
Anyway, the funny thing is about my friend's two cats who have different reactions to the King of the Fruit.
One day, when her family was enjoying a feast of durians, Prince William a white cat smelt the fruit and came. He began to lick the inside of the fruit and they offered him some durian flesh and he ate it!! He wasnot offended by the smell or taste at all. In fact, he wanted more. The next times the family ate durian , he would immedaitely come amd beg for the fruit.
On the other hand, Michael her orange cat is not interested in durians at all... One sniff and he turned away.
Prince Williams although loves the fruit, develops constipation after eating the fruit.
One Ring
Singapore
Website for my Silly Piggy Iggy!
http://my-cat-iggy.diaryland.com
Answer:
One-ring. thanks for telling us what a durian is. Personally, I had never heard of them until now.
Cats have different tastes, just like people. I have some cats who do not like fish! Yet, they all love BBQ'd chicken. Also, whenever I get out a pecan pie, or pizza, I have to eat it walking around my house, because of the cats that follow me. I have a few who will eat almost anything I eat, not because it is particularly good to them, but because they see me eating it. There are a few who love to eat "crunchies" from the bag, in particular party mix.
Answer:
You wouldn't expect a cat to like fruit, but I've found my cat gazing up at me pleadingly when I eat mango! But he always runs a mile when I'm eating an orange. I don't think there are many cats that can stand the smell of citrus.
'Even the smallest feline is a masterpiece' - Leonardo da Vinci
Answer:
Wow! I am going to look up this durian fruit you speak of...I love how each cat has their own unique personality even down to the food they prefer.
Answer:
Is this what they look like One Ring?
SO do you peel them? I love fruit and vegetables and this sounds so exotic - I know I would love it..I haven't seen it here in the United States.
When I first read the info - I started thinking of the Idiana Jones movie - it is not relevant to the story ...
What fruit can you compare their taste with ?
Oh, and they do look like a weapon
explore, doubt and discover for yourself what is the truth.
Answer:
Ioana, yes!!! that's the fruit!!!!
Yes, it looks like a weapon.. In fact , it reminds me of the medieval weapon, the Flail, or otherwise known as the Morning Star, if you tie a chain to it and swing it at enemies. haha....
OK, for Jungle kitty and Ioana regarding the taste of the fruit.. :
It is not a citrus fruit. Its taste and smell is indescribable... Smell is pungent, strong, overwhelming. Some call it stinky and rotting. Others call it fragrant. The flesh tastes sweet and thick besides its strong characteristic flavour and the texture is creamy. Some of the best durians are from Thailand, and durian "connoisseurs" say the Thai durians' taste has a touch of rum flavour. My favourite durian is the type with a bitter flavour.
If you keep the fruit in a closed box in the fridge, the fridge will still smell of durian 3 days after you removed the fruit from the fridge!!
If you eat the durian in an air con room, you will chase the rest of the people out of the room, miles away. In Singapore where I live, the fruit is banned in air conditioned public transport (trains and cabs) to be considerate to fellow passengers!
I have a colleague who loves durian milk shake. And whenver she drinks it in office, the smell permeates the office such that other colleagues will complain of the pong.
Some people who dislike the fruit's smell have described the smell as like cat's poo... But I can tell you, the fruit smells nothing like cat's poo, except for the strength of the smell. haha...
You have to smell and taste for yourself. Then you'll know whether you like or hate the fruit. Do try it someday. If it turns out you like the fruit, you will fall in love with it forever!!
On how to open the fruit:
Use a knife to make a cut in the thorny shell near the stem, and then twist the knife to widen the cut. Then use hands (prefably gloved for protection) to force open the cut so that the shell split apart into segmented halves. It is not easy! Must have steady and strong hands. You don't want misdirect your strength incase you or someone else get hurt by the thorns. It takes a bit of skill.
Some info on durians, :
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~durian/
http://www.gty.org/~phil/durian.htm
http://www.durian.net/
http://www.ghouse.com/daniel/durian/index.html
One Ring
Singapore
Website for my Silly Piggy Iggy!
http://my-cat-iggy.diaryland.com
Answer:
Thank you for the good piece of information, One_Ring. I would definitely love to try this controversial fruit. I have been through the first 2 links you gave me already and some of the comparisons of the fruit were with rancid cheese. I am very fond of strong (un processed ) cheese so that shouldn't be a problem.
I am sure Frosty would like it too - he eats every fruit and vegetable I do (he can't have onions though ).
I have read that you can also cook it.
One thing that really got my attention was that Durians are good for your teeth. Is it true? And what other qualities are attributed to this fruit- like you eat a banana when your stomach hurts (menstrual pains esp), or eat carrots to provide your body with plenty of vitamin A ...Anything known or just the incredible taste (for some )?
explore, doubt and discover for yourself what is the truth.
Answer:
Hello Iona
Sorry, I don't know the health properties of Durian...
One Ring
Singapore
Website for my Silly Piggy Iggy!
http://my-cat-iggy.diaryland.com
Answer:
It is alright, One_Ring - I am sure I can find out about it online
Great information though - much appreciated from a fruit lover
explore, doubt and discover for yourself what is the truth.
Answer:
It does sound fascinating. I'd love to try one, to find out if I'd be a lover or a hater. You can get most things here these days, mangoes, passion fruit, star fruit - all sorts. But I've never even heard of one of those.
Like I've said before - this forum is an education in itself
seashell