How to pick the freshest durian? A few practical methods to teach you

Durian is one of the famous tropical fruits, grown in large quantities in some Southeast Asian countries, and most renowned in Thailand, where it is hailed as the “king of fruits.” Its smell is strong: those who love it praise its fragrance, while those who dislike it complain of its stench. But it is rich in nutrients, and eating it regularly can strengthen the body, fortify the spleen and boost qi, tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang, and warm the body. Now let us take a look together at how to pick a good durian!

How do you pick a good durian?

1. Pinch the spikes: Use your fingers to pinch the tips of two adjacent spikes and press them gently inward toward each other. If they can easily “come closer” to each other, it proves the durian is softer and has better ripeness. If it feels very solid and simply cannot be pinched, it proves the durian is rather unripe.

2. Look at the size: Picking a durian follows the same principle as picking a watermelon. Generally speaking, a larger durian will have better ripeness. Judging by the color of the husk, a good ripe durian is a relatively clear yellow; if there is a lot of green, it proves it is not ripe enough.

3. Degree of splitting: When picking a durian, choose one that has just begun to split open, because exposed flesh is easily contaminated and also easily spoils. If you pick a durian that is fairly ripe and has just opened, then it is best to enjoy it as soon as you get home, otherwise it easily spoils.

4. Smell the odor: An unripe durian has a “grassy smell,” while a ripe durian has a rich, fragrant aroma that makes one's mouth water; people who eat them often know at a single sniff. However, if you smell an alcoholic odor from the durian, then by all means do not buy it.

5. Look at the appearance: If the durian mostly has gentle, larger-based conical spikes, it proves the durian has more flesh and better ripeness. Conversely, if the spikes are mostly sharp and thin in shape, it proves the fruit is not very ripe.

6. Give it a shake: Carefully place your fingers respectively in the hollows between the spikes on both sides of the durian and lift it gently. Once holding it steady, shake it gently with your hand. If you feel a slight bumping sensation inside or hear a slight sound, it proves the flesh is ripe and has separated from the shell.

How do you store a durian properly?

1. Natural storage: After buying a durian, if it has not been opened, you can directly place it in a cool, ventilated place. Before storing, it is best to wrap the outer layer in a cardboard box. This storage method can extend the durian's storage time by three to four days.

2. Refrigerated storage: If you cannot finish the durian, you can take out the flesh and put it in a fresh-keeping box. After sealing it, place the fresh-keeping box in the refrigerator's cold storage compartment to keep it. This can ensure the durian will not spoil for about a week.

3. Frozen storage: After taking out the durian flesh, wrap it in plastic wrap, then store it in the refrigerator's freezer compartment. This can keep the durian from spoiling for several months. When eating, take it out, let it thaw, and then eat it; it is cool and refreshing, especially tempting.

What are the benefits of eating durian?

1. Nourishing yin and strengthening yang: Durian is rich in sugar, starch, protein, vitamins, fat, calcium, iron and phosphorus, etc. People with weak bodies who eat durian can supplement the energy and nutrition their body needs, achieving the effects of strengthening the body and nourishing yin and tonifying yang. After illness and after women give birth, it can be used to nourish the body.

2. Enhancing immunity: The amino acids in durian fruit are complete in variety and rich in content. In addition to tryptophan, it also contains 7 essential amino acids for the human body, among which glutamic acid content is especially high. It can improve the body's immune function, regulate the body's acid-base balance, and improve the body's ability to adapt to stress.

3. Promoting blood circulation and dispelling cold: Durian can relieve menstrual pain, because durian is a warming fruit; after eating it, it can promote blood circulation, dispel cold and relieve menstrual pain. At the same time, its warming nature can improve the cold condition of the abdomen and promote a rise in body temperature, which is very helpful to friends with a cold constitution.

4. Stimulating appetite and relieving constipation: Durian contains very rich dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, stimulate appetite and treat constipation. But note that if you eat durian to treat constipation, you must drink plenty of boiled water, otherwise the rich fiber will have no water to absorb and will absorb water from the intestines.

5. Preventing and fighting cancer: Durian fruit is rich in vitamins, with relatively high levels of vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C. A large number of studies have proven that vitamins are important micronutrients essential to the human body, have the physiological functions of maintaining normal growth, reproduction, vision and resistance to infection, and can also prevent and fight cancer.