Where can I buy a durian?

Question

I live near an Asian market. Do all Asian markets sell durians? Only a few? A lot? If it turns out the Asian market doesn't sell a durian, does anybody know of an online store that would allow me to order a few fresh durians (verus in bulk)? I am a raw foodist so lots of raw foodists really love them but then there's also alot of people that hate them. I know many think the smell is terrible but I want to see what all this hooplah is about durian. Thanks.

Answer 1

Correct they are quite pungent, I am a former chef from Canada and worked in Asia, more specifically Singapore, and in North America they will freeze them to lower the aroma in hot weather, I live in Toronto Canada and buy them here in the summertime, you can buy a durian paste, there not processed in cans, so I would check with the markets you mentioned and in the next few weeks they may be available, like fresh lychee they are a seasonal thing.

Here in Toronto, I get a bubble tea from a Vietnamese Bubble tea shop flavoured with durian, but be cautioned if you have never had it the first time is an experience, a bit like eating a piece of very ripe cantelope wrapped in a old sock with a soiled diaper near by, and in the hot weather, you will know if there selling them at the store you mention for sure, I can smell them here in Toronto a block away, and we get up over 90 d F and humidity here is alway a 100% and makes it feel like 100+.

Answer 2

They have them fresh in a shop on Grand St. in Chinatown, NYC.   You can smell them a block away in the summer.

Answer 3

Because of the smell, I believe they are heavily restricted for sale fresh in the US.  Some really good Asian markets may carry the fruit frozen but finding a raw one is going to be difficult.  I would consult the Asian markets in your area.

Answer 4

I ordered a durian shake or smoothie in the Philippines and the people I was with warned me it would make my blood pressure go up. I drank it anyway and didn't have a heart attack. It tasted pretty good. I've seen them in the Asian grocery store here in Texas. I think they are seasonal. I've also seen them canned.