Durian is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia and is known as the "king of fruits". It is a large, spiky, greenish-brown fruit that is well-loved in its native region. The fruit has a custard-like consistency that is typically white or yellow, and it has a savory-sweet taste that has been compared to vanilla and banana, as well as onions and rotten eggs. Durian is primarily harvested in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, but it has become popular throughout Asia and can be found in Asian markets in the United States.

Durians odor has been described as resembling dirty gym socks, rotten egg, cut onions, manure, and roadkill. Many people find the odor off-putting, and the fresh fruit has even been banned from some public places and mass transit. However, to some people, it is one of their favorite fruits. Durians often crack open when ripe, making extracting the edible flesh inside relatively easy.

Durian fruit is used to flavor a wide variety of sweet edibles such as traditional Malay candy, ice kacang, dodol, lempuk, rose biscuits, ice cream, milkshakes, mooncakes, Yule logs, and cappuccino. Es durian (durian ice cream) is a popular dessert in Indonesia, sold at street-side stalls in Indonesian cities, especially in Java. Durian is also used in savory dishes, such as soup and as a side dish.

Durian is a very nutritious fruit thats rich in fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, and various healthy plant compounds. One cup (243 grams) of pulp provides 357 calories, 13 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbs, 9 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. It is also used in traditional medicine and has some medicinal properties that are currently being studied.