Grilled and odorless durian, anyone?

Can’t stand the natural smell of durian? Now, you can enjoy the fruit without having to suffer.

According to the “24 Oras” report of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s Tek Ocampo on Wednesday, grilled durian is being offered and sold in Davao City.

The report said grilling the fruit for 20 minutes or until its skin turns charcoal-like takes away its strong smell.

“It’s good, actually. Its texture is like yema and it has no bad smell, unlike the natural durian,” said tourist Paolo Abao in a mix of English and Filipino.

Because it has jam-like texture, grilled durian can also be used as sandwich spread.

Ana Borja, Davao Crocodile Park’s chief operating officer, said the idea came from Thailand, where durian was also abundant.

In 2017, scientists in Singapore identified what gives durian its pungent and distinctive aroma.

They identified a group of genes responsible for odor compounds called volatile sulfur compounds, and found that these genes become highly activated as the fruit ripens, driving its unusual smell. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News