Seasonal Eating: The Hunt for Durian

One of the sweetest things about summer is the availability of exotic fruits from all corners of the world. For me, the summer season also spells durian season. Because it’s a seasonal fruit that thrives in tropical climates, it only surfaces around this time of year. Durian reminds me of Soursop (Annona muricata), which is also very hard to find.

The only downside to durian is its stickiness and how it makes a mess of everything I touch afterwards. Otherwise, the custardy texture and the sharp, yet sweet, polarizing aroma that fills the air makes it one of my favorite fruits to eat every year. It’s a sensory experience you either completely crave or actively avoid.

Finding it is always tough. Standard supermarkets rarely carry it, so I spend weeks looking for where to buy one. It’s a lot of effort for a fruit, but that’s the beauty of seasonal eating. The scarcity makes the reward taste that much better when you finally track down a vendor who has it in stock.

Unfortunately, there are no durian sellers near me this year. I guess I’ll have to wait until next year.