Opening Durians, a photo from Bangkok, Central

Photographer's Note

The fruit called durian ("THURIEN" - ทุเรียน) is famous for its smell when it is ripe. Durians are often forbidden in public places such as Thai hotels. This is due to the strong smell of the durian, which persists even if the fruit has been moved to an other place. One thing is sure, nobody can steal a durian. Due to the smell it is impossible to hide it!

There are many different durian species. Prices range from 100 Baht up to 2000 Baht. Those high prices are reserved to durian ( species "MON THONG" ), which are big and contain abound flesh and small pits. Species "KADUM", "CHANEE", "KAN YAO" have bigger pits and less flesh.
Opening a durian is a difficult task. A big butcher knife has to be used to open it. The top of the fruits is cut by making big slices and it is necessary to pull the hard and stick peel to open the durian. Inside the big slices there is also flesh.
In Thailand there are 133 species of durian in Thailand. It is said that the 1942 flood has destroyed many durian orchards. After most producers did only plant easy growing durians, which could be sold easily. Generally, the lifespan of a durian tree is about 150 to 180 years. At hot season a tree can have up to 50 fruits.

markoci, kevinos, pari_ali, Angshu has marked this note useful

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markoci (3933) 2006-04-20 4:21

thank you for the informative note! a good accompanying photo, just too bad for the plastic ribbon and wish the third man's face would be more visible...

kevinos (7517) 2006-04-20 11:11

A nice street scene picture. Yes, it wouls have been better if the piece of ribon had not obscured the face of the man.

entrelec (8328) 2006-04-20 14:39

Tu n'es pas loin d'une très bonne compo, Laurent.
En te décalant un peu à gauche, pour donner + d'impact au mur de durians, tu faisais disparaitre cet espace vide entre les durians et le premier client; et ducoup, ne plus avoir dans la partie droite que tes 3 personnages.
C'est une suggestion, bien sur, très personnelle.
Bonne soirée

Joel

pranab (5354) 2006-05-18 14:18

laurent,
it is funny to see pictures of durian here. one thing you shoud mention is that it also has white sticky fluid which can be nasty. in india these are avilable too, the english call it jackfruit.
good color and detail

pari_ali (433) 2006-11-07 9:24

Have always read about it and the strong smell but didn't know how they looked, thanks for the picture.

fayeulle (27827) 2007-04-13 4:35

Salut Laurent
Beurk ! Je sens l'odeur jusqu'ici...
Bon reportage et note.
Amicalement
JP

Angshu (56760) 2008-08-21 20:53

Hi Laurent
Had kept good distance from Durians in Thailand…but in my heart of hearts I do want to taste them…are they similar to jackfruits in taste? Nice candid street scene & a great note. I never know so much about this fruit. Hope there was less wind with the ribbon obscuring the guy’s face for us a bit as he enjoys the fruit!
Best Regards
Angshu