How should you choose a durian? A few practical selection tips for you
Durian is one of the famous tropical fruits, grown in relatively large quantities in some Southeast Asian countries, and most renowned in Thailand, where it is hailed as the “King of Fruits”. Its smell is intense: 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 support yang, and warm the body. Now let us take a look at how to choose a good durian!
How should you choose a 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 fairly ripe. If it feels very firm and simply cannot be pinched inward at all, it proves the durian is fairly unripe.
2. Look at the size: Choosing a durian works on the same principle as choosing a watermelon; generally speaking, a larger durian will be riper. Judging by the color of the shell, a good ripe durian is a relatively translucent yellow. If there is a lot of green, it proves it is not ripe enough.
3. Degree of splitting: When choosing a durian, pick one that has just begun to split open, because exposed flesh is easily contaminated and spoils easily. If you pick a fairly ripe durian that has just opened, it is best to enjoy it as soon as you get home, otherwise it spoils easily.
4. Smell the odor: An unripe durian has a “grassy green smell”, while a ripe durian has a rich, fragrant aroma that makes your mouth water; people who eat it often know it as soon as they smell it. However, if you smell an alcohol-like odor from the durian, do not buy it under any circumstances.
5. Look at the appearance: If the durian mostly has gentle, cone-shaped spikes with larger bases, it proves the durian has more flesh and is fairly ripe. Conversely, if the spikes are mostly sharp and thin in shape, it proves the fruit is not very ripe.
6. Shake it: Carefully place your fingers in the hollows between the spikes on both sides of the durian and lift it gently. Once you hold it steady, shake it lightly with your hand. If you feel a gentle bumping sensation inside or hear a slight sound, it proves the flesh is ripe and has separated from the shell.
How should you store a durian?
1. Natural storage: After buying a durian, if it has not been opened, you can simply put it in a cool, ventilated place. Before storing, it is best to wrap the outside in a layer of 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 food storage box. After sealing it, place the box in the refrigerator's cold storage compartment to keep it, and 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 freezer compartment of the refrigerator. This can keep the durian from spoiling for several months. When you want to eat it, take it out and let it thaw, and 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, among others. People with a weak body who eat durian can replenish the energy and nutrients the body needs, achieving the effects of strengthening the body and nourishing yin and tonifying yang. It can be used after illness and after women give birth to help restore the body.
2. Boosting immunity: Durian fruit contains a complete range of amino acids in rich amounts. Besides tryptophan, it also contains 7 essential amino acids for the human body, among which glutamic acid is especially high. It can improve the body's immune function, regulate the body's acid-base balance, and enhance 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, and after eating it, it can promote blood circulation, dispel cold and relieve menstrual pain. At the same time, its warming nature can improve coldness in the abdomen and help raise body temperature, and it is very helpful for 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 to treat constipation by eating durian, you must drink plenty of boiled water, otherwise the rich fiber has 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 essential important micronutrients for the human body, having the physiological functions of maintaining normal growth, reproduction, vision and resistance to infection, and can also prevent and fight cancer.