Braving the smell of Durian in China! Check out AEON prices, why locals are obsessed, and my honest take on the King of Fruits.
1. So, What Exactly is This Spiky Giant?
If you’ve walked into any Chinese supermarket lately, you’ve likely been hit by a scent that’s hard to ignore.
We’re talking about 榴莲 (liúlián)—the infamous Durian.
In China, it’s hailed as the 水果之王 (shuǐguǒ zhī wáng), or the "King of Fruits."
Originally hailing from the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia—primarily Thailand (泰国 - Tàiguó), Malaysia (马来西亚 - Mǎláixīyà), and Vietnam (越南 - Yuènán)—this fruit grows on massive trees that can reach over 100 feet tall.
It is easily recognized by its heavy, thorn-covered green husk, which acts like natural armor for the precious yellow custard inside.
Because it requires a very specific humid, tropical climate to thrive, almost every durian you see in China is a carefully handled import, which only adds to its "premium" status.
But here’s the secret: Despite the intimidating spikes, once you get past the "stinky" barrier, the flavor is pure magic. It’s not crunchy like an apple or watery like a melon.
It’s incredibly rich, thick, and has a custard-like texture that melts in your mouth. Imagine a mix of almonds, vanilla, and a hint of cream cheese. It’s a total sensory overload!
2. Why is China So Obsessed?
I was recently at an AEON (永旺 - yǒng wàng) supermarket and snapped some photos of the durian display. If you look at the price tags in my pictures, you’ll notice something immediately: this stuff isn't cheap.
In a country where you can get a massive bag of oranges for a few bucks, why are people dropping nearly $20 on a snack?
* The "Durian Fever" Explained
In Chinese culture, durian is often seen as a "premium" gift. Bringing a high-quality durian to a dinner party says, "I value this friendship (and I have the budget to show it)."
And it's actually a favorite fruit of many Chinese people. Especially a fruit that women love. Sometimes they send durians to prove their love.
I sent them, too. ^^; Anyway, it's also the best fruit for my girlfriend who loves durians. It's a little bit expensive.
From durian-filled pizza to durian thousand-layer cakes, the younger generation in China has turned this fruit into a trendy dessert staple. It's the "salted caramel" of the East—it's everywhere!
And According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, durian is a "warming" fruit.
It’s believed to boost blood circulation and help people who have a "cold" constitution. It’s basically seen as a delicious health supplement.
In conclusion, it's a healthy fruit and it's delicious. And the expensive part is a way of expressing sincerity. So durian is very popular in China.
In fact, there is even a news that the price of durians in Southeast Asia is rising because they import so many durians from China, so the popularity is enormous
3. My Honest Take: To Eat or Not to Eat?
I’ll be the first to admit it—the price makes me hesitate every single time. It’s a splurge, no doubt about it. But is it worth it? Honestly, yes.
There is a specific kind of buttery smoothness you get from a good durian that you just can't find in any other fruit. It’s decadent. It feels more like eating a heavy dessert than a piece of produce.
They say it smells bad, but it smells not as bad as you think. In particular, frozen durians are like ice cream and can reduce the burden of smell.
Besides, it's still a tolerable smell unless it's too mature. (Mollone, it's the worst smell in China compared to stinky tofu!)
Anyway, this delicious fruit has captured the hearts of the Chinese people, and it is also a fruit that I ate really often when I was in China.
If you're going on a trip to China, make sure to try it. Then you'll know if I like durians or not.
So, what do you think? Are you brave enough to drop 130 RMB on a tray of "stinky" custard, or are you sticking to bananas?
0 Comments