Ode to the durian

[giotbuon]

I believe if John Keats had the opportunity to get a whiff of the sweet and addictive smell of the durian fruit (trái sầu riêng), he would have written an ode about it. This is a topic dedicated to that spiny fruit with the oh-to-die-for flavor, and a smell that is detectable from miles away.

I know there are people who think the smell of durian is comparable to the smell of dirty socks, rotten fish, onion, or puke. Durian is definitely an acquired taste, but trust me, once you are hooked, there is no going back. You will start dreaming about cà-rem sầu riêng (durian ice cream), bánh bía sầu riêng, sinh tố sầu riêng (durian smoothie), kẹo sầu riêng (durian-flavored candies), etc. etc.

So, this is the place to express your love or hate for trái sầu riêng. I will try to dig up tidbits of information and trivial facts about this special fruit and share them with you guys.

Someone recently told me that consuming durian with alcohol can cause death. No kidding. Has anyone heard of this before? Is this some sort of an urban legend or is there scientific evidence to back up this claim? I don't know which is more strange, that one can die from eating durian with alcohol, or that someone actually WANT to eat durian with alcohol.

[Khatores]

Someone recently told me that consuming durian with alcohol can cause death. No kidding. Has anyone heard of this before? Is this some sort of an urban legend or is there scientific evidence to back up this claim? I don't know which is more strange, that one can die from eating durian with alcohol, or that someone actually WANT to eat durian with alcohol.
It might give you a bit of a weird feeling, and is probably not be the best idea of a combination, but there's no real evidence of any problems.

http://www.bioversityinternational.org/publications/Pdf/654.pdf

In considering the available evidence, experiments with mice and
rats, observations of humans (by Ogle and Teh), and the recorded medical
case of Singh (1941), it is fair to say that consumption of durians with alcohol has not been shown to be harmful.

It should be noted that deaths or maladies apparently do occasionally
occur due to durians, but usually from being struck by one of these large
spiny fruits as it falls from a tree, rather than by ingestion (Craig 1973).
So, (obviously) don't stand under the trees and you won't get killed by a durian. :lol:

[nktvn]

The very thought of it makes my mouth water. I liked it the first moment I knew the fruit and soon it came to be my favorite fruit, bar none. I can't believe someone says it has a farting smell. So fragrant! Yay, long live the durian!

[Khatores]

The very thought of it makes my mouth water. I liked it the first moment I knew the fruit and soon it came to be my favorite fruit, bar none. I can't believe someone says it has a farting smell. So fragrant! Yay, long live the durian!
Until you learn to associate the smell with something you like to eat, it doesn't seem very appetizing. I remember a long time ago when I thought fish sauce was absolutely disgusting, but I quickly learned to make a very positive association with it. Now, whenever I smell fish sauce, durian or anything else, it reminds me of people I know. For others, it makes them throw up. :lol:

[giotbuon]

In considering the available evidence, experiments with mice and
rats, observations of humans (by Ogle and Teh), and the recorded medical
case of Singh (1941), it is fair to say that consumption of durians with alcohol has not been shown to be harmful.

:lol:

So, if I were to give you 5 bucks to consume durian with alcohol, just to prove that it is only a myth, would you do it? I will provide the durian and the alcohol. :D

[giotbuon]

The very thought of it makes my mouth water. I liked it the first moment I knew the fruit and soon it came to be my favorite fruit, bar none. I can't believe someone says it has a farting smell. So fragrant! Yay, long live the durian!

Yup, for me too. It was definitely love at first smell.

[maccavn]

I believe if John Keats had the opportunity to get a whiff of the sweet and addictive smell of the durian fruit (trái sầu riêng), he would have written an ode about it. This is a topic dedicated to that spiny fruit with the oh-to-die-for flavor, and a smell that is detectable from miles away.

Yep, I agree with you about durian. It's really an impressive fruit. I had already tried it for the first time since about more than 10 years ago
Acctually durian is a particular kind of fruit in South of Vietnam.
In North of Vietnam, we only have jacqkfruit (quả mít) which is similar to durian. Certainly jacqkfruit's taste and smell are not so impressive as durian's

[Khatores]

In considering the available evidence, experiments with mice and
rats, observations of humans (by Ogle and Teh), and the recorded medical
case of Singh (1941), it is fair to say that consumption of durians with alcohol has not been shown to be harmful.

:lol:

So, if I were to give you 5 bucks to consume durian with alcohol, just to prove that it is only a myth, would you do it? I will provide the durian and the alcohol. :D
Sure. Are you a wine nut? :)

[maccavn]

I believe if John Keats had the opportunity to get a whiff of the sweet and addictive smell of the durian fruit (trái sầu riêng), he would have written an ode about it.

Oh BTW, why did you mention to John Keats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Keats)? He was a very famous poet, right? Had he written any thing relates to fruit or something likes that? Very exciting :D

[giotbuon]

Oh BTW, why did you mention to John Keats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Keats)? He was a very famous poet, right? Had he written any thing relates to fruit or something likes that? Very exciting :D

Hi MACCAVN!

I mentioned John Keats because the title of this topic is "ode to the durian". When one talks about odes, the poet John Keats and his well-known work "Ode on a Grecian Urn", usually come to mind. I don't think he wrote any poems or odes on a particular fruit; however, as I said earlier, he would have, if he had the chance to taste durian. :D

[giotbuon]

Sure. Are you a wine nut? :)

I am still a poor college student, and thus I cannot afford to be an authentic wine nut. However, I do have plans to eventually take a trip up to Napa Valley for some wine tasting. Probably before I start grad school. It will be just like the movie "Sideway"...

You seriously will do it? Great! I am always up for putting people in experiments where they might die. One problem though, how am I supposed to send you the durian and the alcohol? Here is an idea, why don't you come to California? I will get you the freshest durian available and some of my dad's Hennessy and we can settle this myth once and for all.

[Khatores]

You seriously will do it? Great! I am always up for putting people in experiments where they might die. One problem though, how am I supposed to send you the durian and the alcohol? Here is an idea, why don't you come to California? I will get you the freshest durian available and some of my dad's Hennessy and we can settle this myth once and for all.
Yeah, I might go back there sometime. It would be interesting to have a chance to look around for once. Maybe there's not an ode out there, but with Hennessy we can write durian gangster rap. :lol:

[giotbuon]

Yeah, I might go back there sometime. It would be interesting to have a chance to look around for once. Maybe there's not an ode out there, but with Hennessy we can write durian gangster rap. :lol:

Oooh, durian gangsta rap, now that's something to talk about! I was practicing the gangsta walk the other day, and I couldn't do it. I must not have the gangsta in me. :( Well, for the durian gangsta rap, can we add some "cải lương" to it?

Vietnamese don't have any odes about durian, but we have songs. I will post them up when I can find them.

[nb]

What's the gangsta walk? Is that the same thing as the Crip-walk?

"Yer, I could drink a whole Henessy fifth. Some call that a problem but I call that a gift!"

[Khatores]

Durian, Yo! :lol:

10 pounds, 30 Washingtons
It got a million little spikes
All reachin' for ya hands
Look like a watermelon on creatine

If you think that's some bull****
Betta reach for da' sky
Cause here comes the durian
Gonna lay it on down for ya homie

This a durian
A durian
That's D-U-R
Ends wi' I-A-N

Duri-an
Duri-an
Kills a million unlucky f---s
Every day and night

When it fall outta da' tree
And clock you on the head
Well then you got capped
By a big ass fruit

Duri-an
Duri-an
That's the shizzle of our time
Eat it cold but use protection

If you can get it open
It's a sight to see
A tangled-up mess
Like Eichmann's brain

Dur-ian
Dur-ian
Smells like dead skunk vomit
In a fish factory fire

A durian shell keeps cats off the 'lac
Put your bling on it, you always get it back
Put it in the chairs of your enemies
Grabbin' their ass and shouting
CRIMINEY!

Dur-ian
Dur-ian

Nothing else like it
Dur-ian...

[giotbuon]

Durian, Yo! :lol:

10 pounds, 30 Washingtons
It got a million little spikes
All reachin' for ya hands
Look like a watermelon on creatine

If you think that's some bull****
Betta reach for da' sky
Cause here comes the durian
Gonna lay it on down for ya homie

This a durian
A durian
That's D-U-R
Ends wi' I-A-N

Duri-an
Duri-an
Kills a million unlucky f---s
Every day and night

When it fall outta da' tree
And clock you on the head
Well then you got capped
By a big ass fruit

Duri-an
Duri-an
That's the shizzle of our time
Eat it cold but use protection

If you can get it open
It's a sight to see
A tangled-up mess
Like Eichmann's brain

Dur-ian
Dur-ian
Smells like dead skunk vomit
In a fish factory fire

A durian shell keeps cats off the 'lac
Put your bling on it, you always get it back
Put it in the chairs of your enemies
Grabbin' their ass and shouting
CRIMINEY!

Dur-ian
Dur-ian

Nothing else like it
Dur-ian...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I AM SPEECHLESS. Let me gather my thoughts and I will respond to you at another time.

[giotbuon]

What's the gangsta walk? Is that the same thing as the Crip-walk?

"Yer, I could drink a whole Henessy fifth. Some call that a problem but I call that a gift!"

The gangsta walk is when your pants are too loose, and you cannot find a belt to keep them up, so you have to walk in a manner that would allow you be cool and at the same time, not pants-less.

[Khatores]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I AM SPEECHLESS. Let me gather my thoughts and I will respond to you at another time.
I wrote this while thinking of the Washington! Washington! song :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZCNrf0IH_U

(Warning: Objectionable everything, but it's all badly animated)

[nb]

What's the gangsta walk? Is that the same thing as the Crip-walk?

"Yer, I could drink a whole Henessy fifth. Some call that a problem but I call that a gift!"

The gangsta walk is when your pants are too loose, and you cannot find a belt to keep them up, so you have to walk in a manner that would allow you be cool and at the same time, not pants-less.

haha oh ok. Nothing wrong with a pants-less girl is there?

*runs and hides... and giggles like a little school-girl*

[Khatores]

What's the gangsta walk? Is that the same thing as the Crip-walk?

"Yer, I could drink a whole Henessy fifth. Some call that a problem but I call that a gift!"

The gangsta walk is when your pants are too loose, and you cannot find a belt to keep them up, so you have to walk in a manner that would allow you be cool and at the same time, not pants-less.

haha oh ok. Nothing wrong with a pants-less girl is there?

*runs and hides... and giggles like a little school-girl*

Actually, one of the recent things to do (not sure if this is still in or not) was for women to wear a tank top that's high, baggy pants (like cargo pants) that are low, and pull the sides of a thong up a little. The intended effect is that of a semi-erotic Tomb Raider look. :lol: Kind of attractive, but at the same time, stupid.

[nb]

Yer i know exactly what you mean. On the right girl it looks hot, but the chances of the combination of 'that appearance' and 'the right girl' coming together in one package are too small.

[Khatores]

Yer i know exactly what you mean. On the right girl it looks hot, but the chances of the combination of 'that appearance' and 'the right girl' coming together in one package are too small.
Well, there's some flexibility built into the system.

I just mean...on one hand, it's attractive (no clear idea why, but it just is). On the other hand...on anyone, it still looks retarded. :lol:

[nb]

haha. Maybe it's ok on some R'n'B dancer or whatever, but walking into a library like that perhaps is a bit odd.

[Khatores]

haha. Maybe it's ok on some R'n'B dancer or whatever, but walking into a library like that perhaps is a bit odd.

Yeah, something like that. Here's a pic (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/1455948757075778601plAvyh?vhost=good-times).

It just kind of begs the question, "So...why does your underwear absolutely have to end up above your pants?" :lol:

[nb]

She answers that question herself with the caption she used.

"old pic..... but my thong is showing so i wanted to show how sluttly i was last year HAHa"

She seems cute though, so no harm done :lol:

[giotbuon]

Durian, Yo! :lol:

10 pounds, 30 Washingtons
It got a million little spikes
All reachin' for ya hands
Look like a watermelon on creatine

If you think that's some bull****
Betta reach for da' sky
Cause here comes the durian
Gonna lay it on down for ya homie

This a durian
A durian
That's D-U-R
Ends wi' I-A-N

Duri-an
Duri-an
Kills a million unlucky f---s
Every day and night

When it fall outta da' tree
And clock you on the head
Well then you got capped
By a big ass fruit

Duri-an
Duri-an
That's the shizzle of our time
Eat it cold but use protection

If you can get it open
It's a sight to see
A tangled-up mess
Like Eichmann's brain

Dur-ian
Dur-ian
Smells like dead skunk vomit
In a fish factory fire

A durian shell keeps cats off the 'lac
Put your bling on it, you always get it back
Put it in the chairs of your enemies
Grabbin' their ass and shouting
CRIMINEY!

Dur-ian
Dur-ian

Nothing else like it
Dur-ian...

This durian rap song gets me every time! This is the fifth time I have read it, and it still makes me crack a smile. The image of some guy rapping this song is just too much. I especially like these lines,

A durian shell keeps cats off the 'lac
Put your bling on it, you always get it back
Put it in the chairs of your enemies
Grabbin' their ass and shouting
CRIMINEY!

And the reference to Eichmann's brain -- now that's a classic. You're killing me! Good job. :D

[giotbuon]

How did "ode to the durian" become "ode to the thong"? Do you guys know what I have my students do when they digress? :twisted:

[ChubbyChocobobo]

What's the gangsta walk? Is that the same thing as the Crip-walk?

"Yer, I could drink a whole Henessy fifth. Some call that a problem but I call that a gift!"

The gangsta walk is when your pants are too loose, and you cannot find a belt to keep them up, so you have to walk in a manner that would allow you be cool and at the same time, not pants-less.

haha oh ok. Nothing wrong with a pants-less girl is there?

*runs and hides... and giggles like a little school-girl*

Actually, one of the recent things to do (not sure if this is still in or not) was for women to wear a tank top that's high, baggy pants (like cargo pants) that are low, and pull the sides of a thong up a little. The intended effect is that of a semi-erotic Tomb Raider look. :lol: Kind of attractive, but at the same time, stupid.

You're very attractive, Khatores, If you know what I mean. :P