Durian — Everyone Warns You About the Smell First

Durian's reputation precedes it — banned from hotels and public transport across Southeast Asia for a smell that people either love or genuinely can't tolerate, somewhere between rich custard and something far less pleasant, depending on who you ask. It's worth pushing past the warnings, because the fruit itself has a devoted following for good reason: rich, creamy, custard-like flesh with a flavour often compared to almonds, caramel, and savoury undertones all at once, nothing else in the fruit world tastes quite like it. Ripeness is judged mostly by smell — a light, sweet fragrance coming through the spiky husk means it's ready; no smell at all usually means it isn't, while an overwhelming stench can mean it's gone too far. A gentle shake that produces a dull thud, rather than silence, is another good sign.