Durian, Peak Harvest

In 2002 Australia, during the height of terrorist attacks, airports were on high alert. And so it happened that cargo handlers at Brisbane airport discovered a powerful smell in the cargo hold of a plane and raised the alarm. Part of the airport was evacuated, security forces deployed, only to discover that the cargo hold contained a load of the infamous Asian fruit - durians!

Durian lovers can understand why public transport ban it.




The grade in rage now is Mao Shan Wang. Many years before, it was D24. It can cost a fortune especially when the fruit sell by the kilo.
But frankly even seasoned durian gluttons may not be sure if he is paying for the real thing.




There are durian plantations in north Queensland, perhaps 15,000 to 20,000 trees and maybe 5000 trees around Darwin. and they are just starting to put some fruit on the Australian market place. What a sight it would be to see angmo eating durians by the roadside.



Some described the durians as a powerful aphrodisiac, while women would eat the ashes from burnt durian skins to help them recover after child birth. Recently nutritionists have claimed that the durian fruit can help lower cholesterol and cleanse the blood as well as cure jaundice and alleviate fevers.

The durian is also packed with amino acids as well as Vitamins B, C, E and tryptophan.
Tryptophan is essential for making and maintaining serotonin levels in the body that regulates our happiness. People with low serotonin levels tend to have short tempers.