Most would liken the King of Fruits to rotten cheese but truthfully it’s an acquired taste packed with a whole lot of goodness. In fact, Malaysians love it so much that even through a global pandemic in 2020, we consumed over 303 million kilograms of durians, which is equivalent to more than 75,000 elephants! A true testament of our love for the fruit!
Despite having a huge appetite for all things durian, the King of Fruits is also known to cause a great divide among Malaysians because of its taste, smell, and high fat content. But contrary to popular belief, our favourite thorny fruit is packed with health benefits you may not have known - here’s some of them to help break the stigma!
- Sinful yet surprisingly nutritious
Although some of us love to overindulge come durian season, durians can feel “jelak” to most if we have too much of it (or anything for that matter) - one of the reasons the durian has gained a reputation for being unhealthy. But really, they are filled with nutrients too! For example, durian contains a high amount of healthy fats, just like avocados, that helps our bodies absorb vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K. Like everything else though, it should still be taken in moderation. (durian toast anyone?)
DurianFact #1: The original Musang King durian tree is believed to be from the district of Gua Musang in Kelantan (hence its name… Musang King)
- High blood pressure? You might need more durian
Other than being full of healthy fats, durians are also an excellent source of potassium. Potassium-rich foods are important in managing high blood pressure, which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Potassium also helps to ease tension in your blood vessel walls, which further helps to lower blood pressure. Take care of your heart with a healthy dose of Malaysia’s favourite spiky fruit!
DurianFact #2: D24 durians are also known as “Sultan” durians as they were traditionally reserved for royalty due to its limited availability back in the day.
- Feeling pain in your joints? Have a durian or two
Durian contains more Vitamin C than many other tropical fruits. This is especially important because Vitamin C is the “hero of heroes” when it comes to vitamins - a deficiency of it can lead to joint pain and an adequate intake has been connected with a reduced risk of cancer-related pain. More reasons to end durian distancing and have a ken-durian with your family!
DurianFact #3: Red Prawn durians were named after the flesh’s curved shape and light pink hue, reminiscent of a cooked red prawn. (cute!)
- Need help with that bowel movement?
Besides containing plenty of fibre to help with you-know-what, durians are rich in natural sugars that ferment after being exposed to gut bacteria during digestion. This acts as a prebiotic, feeding the many tiny bacteria in your gut, supporting digestive functions and colon health.
DurianFact #4: The most expensive local durian variety is not the Musang King, but the Black Thorn. Its price is known to exceed RM100/kg compared to Musang King’s RM70/kg.
#BonusFact!: Whether or not you swear by the King of Fruits or bear great resentment towards it, it’s clear now that there are benefits to consuming this thorny fruit! But of course, just like everything, moderation is the key.
This durian season, Grab wants to help all Malaysians maintain close contact so that together, we can End Durian Distancing! So no matter if you’re a lover or a hater, we have everything you need from fresh durians, durian flavoured desserts and even odour-fighting solutions to embrace (or brace for) durian season. Order your favourite variety today from merchant-partners like Durian Man SS2, Best Durian, Ah Teik Durian and so much more
For more information, please visit: #GrabDurian #EndDurianDistancing
