13 Exotic Tropical Fruits You've Never Heard Of: Why Rambutan Will Amaze Your Taste Buds

2. Durian: The Controversial King of Fruits

Called the "King of Fruits" in Southeast Asia, the durian is maybe the most divisive tropical fruit available. Due in great part to its strong scent, this huge, prickly fruit is banned in many public areas and hotels. Those who brave past its strong taste profile combining sweet, savoury, and almond-like flavours are rewarded with creamy, custard-like meat that gives a complex taste sensation. Like a rich cream cheese, the texture is especially buttery and smooth, which makes it a remarkable cooking experience.

Though it's contentious, durian is quite nutritious and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and good fats that make it a sought-after component in classic Asian sweets and delights. The durian's notoriety predates it; it usually separates people into two camps: those who love it and others who find it intolerable. In the culinary arts, this division has attracted interest because of its complexity. Though its flavour can be shockingly good with traces of caramel and vanilla, the fruit's powerful scent is been described as a mix of rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. It is impossible to overestimate Durian's cultural importance in Southeast Asia; it is regarded as a delicacy in many nations and appears in customary mythology. Its special qualities have even motivated cooks to produce creative meals, therefore stretching the bounds of sweet and savoury food.