Facts about Durians
The durian is soft, scrumptious, succulent and incredibly well-liked
due to its distinctive qualities. The fruit is broadly adored as the
King of Fruits in the South-East Asia.
The durian tree is originally tropical and is a member of the genus
Durio from Malvaceae, a big group of plant species that also consists
of hibiscus, okra and many others. It is botanically called Durio
zibethinus.
The durian is unique due to its large size, distinctive odor, and
solid thorn-covered husk. The size can go up to 12 inches (30 cm) in
length and 6 inches (15 cm) across, and usually weighs 2-7 pounds
(1-4 kg). Its shape ranges from oblong to round; the color of the
husk varies from brown to green; and the flesh inside features pale
yellow to saffron color based on the species.
The flesh may be eaten at different levels of ripeness, and has been
employed as flavor base in numerous sweet and culinary preparations
in Southeast Asian foods. The oval to round seeds can be eaten when
cooked through and they taste just like almonds.
The fruit flesh produces distinctive scent that is robust and
penetrating when the husk is still intact; this unique stinky flavor
and strong odor of the durian have made most people expressing
different and peculiar views ranging from great appreciation to
extreme dislike about it.
Health Benefits of Eating Durians
Durian fruit is abundant with energy, vitamins and
minerals. Since
it is high in calories, is durian fruit healthy? Let us look at some
health benefits durians have:
- The fruit consists of soft flesh which contains simple sugars such
as sucrose and fructose plus some simple fats. It produces energy
and revitalizes your body immediately and works extremely well as
dietary supplement in the treatment for underweight kids. Even
though it has a fairly large quantity of fats among some common
fruits, but it is cholesterol free.
- The durian is a good source of dietary fiber, rendering it an
excellent bulk laxative. The dietary fiber content helps protect the
mucus membrane of colon by reducing exposure time and binding to
chemicals that cause cancer in the colon.
- The fruit is high in antioxidant vitamin C. Intake of foods loaded
with ascorbic acid helps body build resistance against contagious
agents and at the same time scavenge hazardous free radicals.
- The durian is a wonderful supply of B complex vitamins; an uncommon
attribute among fruits, including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. All
these vitamins are very important that the body needs to replenish
from external source.
- It contains also great amount of minerals such as manganese,
copper,
magnesium and iron. Manganese is utilized by your body as a
co-factor to the antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzyme. Copper is
essential to produce red blood cells, while iron is necessary for
formation of red blood cells.
- Durian fruit is definitely a good supply of potassium. The mineral
is a vital electrolyte of body fluids that helps manage heartbeat
and blood pressure.
- On top of the above mentioned health benefits durians have
substantial amounts of essential amino acid, called tryptophan,
which metabolizes into melatonin and serotonin; these neuro-chemicals
carry important tasks such as sleep induction and are used in
epilepsy treatment.
Durian Calories and Nutrition Facts
| Nutritional Value of per 100 g Durian |
|
| Calories |
147kcal (614 kJ) |
| Total Fat |
5.3 g |
| Cholesterol |
0 mg |
| Sodium |
2 mg |
| Total
Carbohydrate |
27.1 g |
| Dietary Fiber |
3.8 g |
| Protein |
1.5 g |
| Calcium |
6 mg |
| Potassium
|
436 mg |
How to Choose and Buy Durians?
- You have to make sure that the durian is not opened before you take
an in depth whiff. The fine ones normally emanate an incredibly
robust stinky scent.
- You definitely want one with a stem still strongly attached.
Additionally, check out the stem to ensure it does not have a dark color throughout.
- Shake the fruit lightly. If you pick up the sounds of some soft
stuffs thudding against one another that go "glook, glook, glook",
chances are, the fruit is ripe.
- Even unopened and frozen, a good durian is fragrant.
How to Store Durians?
- Durians keep well for 1 or 2 days in a sealed container in the
refrigerator. Use a flat container to prevent stacking the fruit one
on top of another.
- You can also store fresh durians in a container made for freezing.
They keep well for up to 2 months in the freezer.
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