Durian. That big, hulking thorny beast, with an aroma so strong it’ll knock your grandma to her feet. Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, it’s a divisive figure in the world of food. Banned on Singapore subways for its smell (potent even when the husk is intact), it’s the Kanye West of fruits: you either hate it, or you love it. Intensely.
Happily for me, I belong to the second camp as I stare down an entire box of the things. I’m one of 15 contests taking part in a durian eating contest at the Malaysia festival in Sydney’s Tumbalong Park. But it wasn’t always this way.
Read More