But is it still really durian?

Thai agricultural officials have recently succeeded in their experiments to obliterate the distinctive smell from durian, the king of all fruits, in a bid to attract international consumers.

Yes, we are talking about the wonderful fruit - the size of a football and covered with spikes - that is notorious for its odour. Thais consider the robust scent the most sensual element of durian, while Westerners are generally appalled.

According to the durianpalance.com website, Westerners have described durian's odour as "rotten onions with Limburger cheese and low-tide seaweed," or "French custard passed through a sewer pipe".

Well, we think the smell isn't that bad. After all, any disgust about the durian's fragrance vanishes with the heavenly taste.

Now - horrors! - the Agriculture Department recently developed a new strain of durian with virtually no odour.

Songpon Somsri, an official of the department's Horticulture Research Institute, said he had been working on an odourless durian for more than 20 years since he was in his 20s. He has bred new hybrids named Chanthaburi 1 and Chanthaburi 2 and plans to distribute one million saplings to farmers. The Chanthaburi 2 is less smelly than the Chanthaburi 1.

Songpon believes the new breeds will promote Thai exports.

"I have an Australian friend who said this new durian tastes perfect," he says.

Congratulations to Khun Songpon for his successful research.

But we still want to know what's the point of stripping the sensual odour from durian? The mystique of this fruit is that its smell is intolerable until you take a bite. Then it's love at first bite!

[email protected]

i can't believe i still haven't eaten durian!! probably due to the warnings about durian and alcohol!! will get round to it next week!! the smelly stuff!! not this new fangled GM stuff!!

Forgive my ignorance, but what happens when you mix durian and alcohol?

I LoVE Durian with fat smell!!!!!!!

ghee: Smally or smelly?

stegee: Better get some while it's still in the market!

CMG_UK: Triple-foul beer farts I imagine. Other than that I dunno!

namie_so_lovely: They say you've lived here too long when the durian starts to smell good! lol

:S

had the whole durian last night... now I dont wanna see this pic anymore LOL

Sensual odor? I pity Khun Jeerawat's partner.

Seen it in Thaland, but haven't tryied it yet....... Lol

-

i'm dying for Durian.

OMG!!!!!! WHAT'S THAT SMELL!!!!!!!!!!

Can I grow it on my balcony, or will the seeds be sterile?

Gagging....

i guess it wont be the same anymore

its like a cheese without smell is no cheese at all

Dr_Sassy: A whole durian? OMG that's a LOT of calories na!

Loburt: Yes, I agree!

afook06: You're in for an experience, maybe pleasant, maybe not!

Periboea: Hmmmm. I'm kinda neutral toward durian. Kin dai.

ghee: Hmmmmm...never heard that!

koolbreez: Yep, that says it all!

Yvr_in_bkk: So go buy some!

Whiskers: The smell is unmistakable!

londonmarty: Agree. I can tolerate the smell of durian, but not the smell of dried squid! Yuck!!!

hyper223: Think you can grow a tree on your balcony?

balibatman: C'mon, it's not that bad!

germed: It will be quite a few years before the trees are mature enough to bear fruit.

I will try to eat durian later .. if you sure : its smell is intolerable until you take a bite. Then it's love at first bite! .. maybe love it then !! Thanks ..Dear.Mike ,for sharing.

I like it

Abbadi: The taste of durian is not like the smell at all! Try it!

funnygirl: What do you like: Durian or non-smelly durian?

I like to eat it, but not too much. The smell is disgusting. When you eat it, you should eat a smelly one though... it's part of this fruit's properties..

The only time I tried to taste it, I felt the taste is just less awful than the smell, but nothing great!