Juicy Bananas

Does anyone like the stink fruit? Is anyone trying to grow it?

I currently have Kilauea & D132 growing. I started a seed close to 4 years ago & I recently put that one in the ground. Maybe I will get fruit from her in 10 to 15 years.

JP

Not me! Can't handle the smell... or the taste!

chong

Durian is a much maligned fruit, and I think that in most cases, its reputation precedes discovery by many. When I first tried the fruit as a kid in the Philippines, I was the only one in our family besides my Dad who ate them. The rest of the family complained about the smell of the fruit in the fridge. I didn't think it was too bad. Just a little strong, I thought. The taste was very good but not as great as most afficionados would tell you. When it wasn't available in the L.A. area, I have friends there who asked me to bring them some from Seattle, whenever I went there. The only problem the first time was I packed them in my luggage instead of a separate box. So then, I had to wear the same clothes that I wore, when I flew there, for a couple of days until I got the clothes from my luggage dry cleaned (and deodorized). By the way, the seeds are really great tasting when roasted. Smells just like a typical nut, and they are huge.

When planted from seed in the ground, they bear fruit in 8 to 10 years in the Philippines. That is, from native varieties. There are a lot of new hybrids. I would assume that these are bred for size, climate adaptation, and/or fruiting frequency, etc. I cannot imagine that they are for taste improvement.

There is another fruit in the Philippines that is a relative of the Durian called Jackfruit. The majority of people I know like the smell of this fruit, which is akin to Juicy Fruit gum. And the taste is very very good. But there are some people that think that the smell is offensive, though not as bad as Durian. I put strips of the Jackfruit with sliced Saba banana then wrapped with Lumpia wrappers, then fry them for a mid-day snack called "Turon". Very tasty.

Don't give up on the Durian, they also make them into ice cream! Hmmmmm.....

Chong

JP

I first tried the jackfruit when I lived in Mauritius. I hated the smell because it smells like a mix of tropical fruits fermented in a very cheap women's perfume. That's what it tastes like too! I can say that it's not a taste you develop over time. Either you like it or not. Unripe and used as a vegetable is less bad but I still don't like it. You need gloves to cut it and do not use your favorite knife!!!

Worm_Farmer

Jackfruit is awesome! I really loved it but hated the clean up.

I have not tried a Durian. But look forward it it one day. The smell is suppose to be really bad but flavor good. I have heard people say, If you dont like custard you wound like the texture.

Juicy Bananas

I have been doing further research and I do not know If we have a natural way of pollination. A well known farmer here has very large trees. He hasn't been answering his phone. But I would like another tour. He has much success in getting fruit. Maybe something about his orchard attracts the right pollinators... bah, oh well. If I don't get fruit I will at least have a beautiful tree to look at.

We have Ulu here. Also known as Bread fruit. It's in the same family... but nothing like Durian. Have you heard of the Cemepdak? It's another in the family. I am currently clearing room to plant one.