The King of Fruits

In the Malay archipelego the durian is hailed as The King of Fruits. However, opinion is divided.  Personally I have managed to live in SE Asia for 15 years without succumbing to tasting the durian.  Why? – suffice it to say I came across more appealing odours when I was commissioning the Kranji sewage treatment works in Singapore. Foreigners tend to have the same opinion as me. However, for most Singaporeans, the King of Fruits is venerated.

Facilities managers in Singapore however do not always share this view and often offices and retail outles will put up signs warning ‘ No Durians Allowed’. Enclosed spaces such aselevators are very nice places to be post durian opening. 

So if you do allow yourself to be  persuaded by a local like Tan Seng Chai to partake of this wonder fruit, the Latin phrase Caveat Emptor will surely apply and make sureyou do it in the open air. Seng Chai only does this for his own amusement by the way.

Durian is also available in ice cream, soft drink and various other less offensive formats.

The durian is also the architectural model for Singapore’s wonderful Esplanade complex…but that smells a lot better.

Esplanade - The Split Durian

     Posted by: Gerry O’Toole