Scientific Name: Durio zibethinus
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Durian (Durio zibethinus) is the edible fruit in the Malvaceae plant family, which includes the cacao tree. Durian trees are widely grown throughout the Southeast Asian region. While durian carries the nickname king of the fruits, it earns a bad reputation for its strong odor. Despite its strong aroma, its taste is slightly sweet and musky. This fruit is also distinctive in its large and spiky (often sharp), hard outer shell.
Durian fruits contain dietary fiber (14% daily value [DV]). Dietary fiber is important for easing bowel movements, which helps digestive health and reduces the risk of constipation. Durian has vitamin C (22% DV) as well. This nutrient is a strong antioxidant that helps reduce the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the growth, development, and repair of our body's connective tissues.
Interestingly, durian also has high amounts of thiamin (31% DV). (Usually, nuts contain high amounts of this B-vitamin.) Thiamin is important for metabolizing amino acids, glucose, and lipids. In addition to thiamin, this fruit is a good source of manganese (14% DV). Manganese is critical for the maintenance of blood sugar levels and bone health. Please note that overeating durian could lead to some digestive problems, such as diarrhea.
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