Penalty for durians on the Singapore subway

Quote: 1nickelmiracle

A skunk spray to me smells quite similar to the smell of fresh brewed coffee.

I take slurs against coffee personally ;)

A mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph, pinpointed 50 discrete compounds in the durian responsible for its uncommon aroma. Those compounds included eight that hadn’t been detected in durians before—and four compounds that had been completely unknown to science.

Not any single compound but instead the mixture of different chemicals produces the fruit’s powerful stench. What’s interesting is that none of the compounds individually seem to match with the characteristic durian smell—they range widely, and include labels like fruity, skunky, metallic, rubbery, burnt, roasted onion, garlic, cheese, onion and honey. A number of them have been detected in just a few other substances, such as cooked beef, yeast extract, dried squid and leeks. Somehow, the combination of these 50 chemicals produces the powerful scent that has entranced and repulsed people the world over.

According to a 2009 Japanese study, durian extract strongly inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), used by the liver to break down alcohol. This might account for a piece of traditional Asian folklore: that getting intoxicated while eating durians can lead to death.

It sounds like a Puritan's dream food. Makes you totally repulsive to the opposite sex, and kills you if you drink too much.

I saw a video of a woman in Thailand who
tried it for the first time. From the 2nd
bite on she loved it. She said the taste
was like nothing she'd had, it had half
a dozen pleasant aftertastes. Fruity, buttery,
flowery, peppery.

Quote: rxwine

Tempts me to carry one where I don't want people crowding around me.

The next time a smoker lights up next to me in a casino I should take out a durian and cut it into little pieces until he leaves.

Here's a confusing image. A pretty girl eating a durian.

Quote: Wizard

The next time a smoker lights up next to me in a casino I should take out a durian and cut it into little pieces until he leaves.

1) Want to guess what a spoiled durian smells like?

2) In court the smoker would be acquitted, as your actions offer grounds for a justification defense.

Here is a follow up on my latest obsession with durians.

My wife bought one at the Asian market here in Vegas. This morning we tried it. First, I had my wife take a movie of me juggling the durian with two grapefruits. I wore thick leather gloves, of course.

Then I cut it open with a big serrated knife. I thought it would be difficult to cut, but it was easy. Fearing the worst I took a gentle whiff at arms distance, but the smell was not so bad. Feeling it was more safe, I stuck my nose right up in it. I'm not going to say it smelled good, but stories about how awful they smell are definitely exaggerated. It is hard to compare the smell to anything else. It smells somewhat sweet and rotten at the same time.

Next, I had a small taste and it was not bad. Not something I would eat everyday but not bad either. I feel the same way about other exotic fruits like papayas. It was a little strong to just eat straight so I made a strawberry and durian milkshake.

My kids all initially refused to try it but after much badgering they each dipped their tongue about one millimeter into a shot glass, as they pinched their noses, and said that was enough.

In case you're wondering, the inside of the durian has about 20 sacks where the fleshy edible part is. Between the sacks is same harder material that makes up the shell.

So, there you have it. Now I can cross off "try a durian" from my bucket list.

Quote: 1nickelmiracle

Cat poop smells like Taco Bell.

Quote: Face

That's because it's the same thing XD

Face gets the 'Best Post Award' for the thread.

Quote: Wizard

Here is a follow up on my latest obsession with durians.

For your sake, I hope you never wonder what life without a limb is like.

Quote:

I'm not going to say it smelled good, but stories about how awful they smell are definitely exaggerated.

I've smelled one. no, it's not the worst smell in the world. Any piece of rotten meat, manure pile, open sewage or spoiled fish smell worse. But it's not a smell I'd like to have around ever, much less one to eat to.

Quote:

My kids all initially refused to try it but after much badgering they each dipped their tongue about one millimeter into a shot glass, as they pinched their noses, and said that was enough.

Don't you remember being a kid? Nothing turns kids against any kind of food than badgering them to try it.

It's not just one durian that's bad, it's
when you're in a durian culture and
they're everywhere under different
stages of decay. That's when it gets
bad.