'It's almost revolting': Singapore's durian craze is not for all

When wildlife advocate Robert Irwin tried durian for the first time in Singapore a year ago, he called it the "most polarising food in the world".

He might have a point. As durian season, which typically occurs between June and September, hits its peak and Singaporeans flock to satisfy their durian cravings, not everyone is sold on the king of fruits.

"I don't hate it but it's not something I will want to have," 19-year-old polytechnic student, Mr Seah, told The New Paper: "I used to be quite fond of it but as I grow older, I find the smell to be quite unpleasant. It's so strong that it's almost revolting, and when people have it, it just fills the entire space with that pungent smell."

He added: "If you paid me to eat it I think I would, but durian is not something I'll squeeze with people in queues for."

On a Reddit thread detailing different durian varieties with over a hundred comments, some netizens shared similar sentiments. "I swear, I really tried, but as soon as I had a piece in my mouth and it was all creamy and tasted like carrion, I just could not bring myself to have it," said one.

"Am I missing something crucial here? Because it was as horrendous in taste as in smell."

Operations executive Fu Jia, 24, echoed this sentiment. "I dislike the smell of it in general, it smells so foul. My instinct when I see a durian stall is to avoid it or walk really fast if I have no choice but to go near it," she said.

A shared experience for all

But durian fanatics could care less about such misgivings.

At Block 964 Jurong West Street 91, prices dip as low as $2 per durian, amid the hustle and bustle of the afternoon crowds and stall owners.

Durian stall vendor Cai Ming Hong (transliterated) noted that this year's durians are of excellent quality. He expects an even larger harvest by mid-July. His stall receives at least 5,000kg of durians daily, most of which sell out.

The 26-year-old told Shin Min Daily News: "For example, the B-grade Musang King durians are now going for $12 per kg, and we're using premium durians from Pahang for our promotions.

"A-grade ones are priced at $20 per kg and are of even better quality. Earlier batches had some weather-related issues, but the current supply tastes great across all varieties."

There are also durian delivery services like Durian Delivery, while others opt to visit durian cafes. Durian vending machines, installed by local durian retailer Kaki Kaki, have even popped up in Tampines.

So why do so many Singaporeans have such a fondness for the pungent delight?

One Reddit poster suggested that it serves as a form of community building, creating shared experiences that bring people together. "It's a seasonal thing, so getting together to eat it is a cultural/social thing that has developed over the years. It's just another way to chill with friends and family."

Another Redditor suggested that it is inextricably tied to national identity: "For a country as small as Singapore and only 50 years old, there's not much solid items of culture to look forward to. Especially because it's an amalgamation of other cultures like Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage.

"Other than the practices belonging to those races, there's not much physical things Singapore can attribute its original culture to. And that's why we cling to the things we can define as Singaporean."

While reactions remain varied, and sometimes even extreme, the durian continues to unite Singaporeans in the common experience of rushing to buy it - or avoiding it completely.