Plant atlas Short
Durian Seeds: Boil or Roast Them Before Eating
Durian · ทุเรียน · Durio zibethinus
Durian — ทุเรียน (thu-rian) — Durio zibethinus.
You can eat the sweet fruit fresh, and boil or roast the seeds. In cholesterol-fed rats, durian blunted blood-lipid rises. It's rich in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and folate. Khao Niao Thu-rian tops sweet glutinous rice with soft, ripe durian and warm coconut sauce, which you often eat with fresh mangosteen to cool the palate. Massaman Thu-rian simmers firm, unripe durian with chicken in a spiced coconut gravy, which you eat hot with steamed jasmine rice and pickled cucumbers. Boil or roast the seeds before eating; the flesh is calorie- and sugar-dense, so keep portions small. The tree's roots are highly sensitive.
Khao Niao Durian — ข้าวเหนียวทุเรียน (kao-niao-tu-rian)
Massaman Durian Curry — แกงมัสมั่นทุเรียน (gaeng-mat-sa-man-tu-rian)
Food and nutrients
Rich in: vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, folate
Research context
Durian blunted blood-lipid rises in cholesterol-fed rats — European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2011 (animal study)
Sources
Source: Leontowicz H et al. (2011). Positive effects of durian fruit at different stages of ripening on the hearts and livers of rats fed diets high in cholesterol. Eur J Integr Med 3(3):e169-e181. DOI:10.1016/j.eujim.2011.08.005. Related rat lipid study: BioFactors 2007 (PMID 17673829)
Narration transcript
Opening
This is the fruit that hotels ban from their rooms and subways post warning signs against — one whiff of durian and you'll get why. Durian — ทุเรียน, too-rian. You eat the rich, custardy flesh fresh, and boil or roast the big seeds until they turn starchy like a chestnut.
Khao Niao Durian (ข้าวเหนียวทุเรียน)
Durian sticky rice features sweet glutinous rice topped with rich ripe durian and warm coconut sauce, traditionally paired with fresh mangosteen to balance its sweetness.
Massaman Durian Curry (แกงมัสมั่นทุเรียน)
Massaman durian curry features firm, unripe durian simmered with chicken in a spiced coconut gravy, traditionally served hot with steamed jasmine rice and pickled cucumbers.
Nutrition summary
That rich custardy flesh is unusually high in thiamin for a fruit, with a good hit of copper and vitamin C.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Potassium
Potassium helps with normal fluid balance and muscle function.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy metabolism, supports a healthy nervous system, and helps your body make red blood cells.
Folate
Folate supports normal cell division and blood formation, and plays an especially important role before and during pregnancy.
Closing
Don't wash durian down with alcohol — compounds in the fruit slow the enzyme that clears alcohol from your body, which can leave you flushed and sick. Cook the seeds before eating, and go easy on the flesh, since it's heavy with sugar and calories. If you grow the tree, protect its roots — they're shallow and easily damaged. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.
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