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Can Durian Seeds Be Eaten? [How Much Per Day]

Can Durian Seeds Be Eaten

Aptly dubbed the King of Fruits, the durian is a large, spikey fruit of several tree species belonging to the family Durio.

Famous for its strong scent, a durian can grow up to 12 inches long, 6 inches in diameter, and weigh up to 7 lbs.

The rich, yellow flesh of the durian fruit is intensely flavorful and is used in various dishes.

In addition, the large seeds of the fruit can be eaten but must be cooked.

Common ways to cook durian seeds are boiled, fried, or roasted.

An often neglected part of the fruit, durian seeds can provide additional nutrition.

A note of caution; raw durian seeds contain cyclopropene fatty acids that are known to be unsafe for consumption.

Durian seeds are rounded or oval-shaped and range from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown.

A durian fruit consists of 20% to 35% flesh, 60% to 70% husk, and 5% to 15% seed.

Cooking and consuming the seeds will maximize the nutritional benefit you get out of this famous fruit.

Boiling

Boiling the seed is easy.

Once the flesh is off, the seed can be washed to remove any residual flesh and soaked for a few minutes.

Then just boil the seed as you would a potato for approximately 30 minutes or until soft.

Remove the skin of the seed, and you’ve got a cooked seed ready for consumption!

Boiled durian seeds smell mildly of potatoes and onions.

They are starchy and have the texture of a slimy baked potato.

Roasting

First, pierce the durian seed with a knife to prevent them from or cracking in the oven.

Lay the seeds individually on a baking tray and roast in a pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes.

Skin the seed after roasting.

Roasted durian seeds have a texture similar to a chestnut.

Frying

The skin of the seed should first be removed, and the seed sliced thinly.

Next, fry up the thin slices in hot oil on low heat, and you get durian chips!

Durian chips are crisp, crunchy, and absolutely delicious.

Frying removes the taste of onions, and you are left with a chip that tastes mildly of a french fry.

A safer way to cook durian seeds would be to boil them then fry them, ensuring that they are fully cooked.

It also makes the skin easier to remove and the seed softer to slice up.

Ensure that durian seeds are fully cooked before consumption; uncooked durian seeds are unsafe!

Are Durian Seeds Poisonous?

Are Durian Seeds Poisonous

Raw durian seeds contain compounds called cyclopropene fatty acids, which are toxic. Durian seeds MUST be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

Two compounds called malvalic and sterculic acid are found in cyclopropene fatty acids.

These compounds have been known to be carcinogenic and are harmful to humans.

In addition, durian seeds have trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide.

While the tiny amount of cyanide found in durian seeds is not harmful to humans, it might be toxic to smaller mammals like dogs and cats, so keep durian seeds away from your beloved pets.

Durian seeds need to be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

You can boil, roast, or cut them up into thin slices and fry them.

You can eat the cooked seeds on their own or add them to ice creams and desserts for added texture.

The seed is starchy, and unless you fry them in oil, they tend to be slimy and sticky.

In addition, scientists have recently started experimenting with using the gum from durian seeds to make natural food stabilizers.

One of the applications tested was to use the gum as a stabilizer to extend the shelf life of probiotics in drinks.

Studies have shown that the probiotic count in drinks using chemical stabilizers was significantly reduced in a four-degree Celsius environment after five weeks.

In comparison, beverages using durian seed stabilizers lasted two months.

In addition, the gum can also be used to grow probiotics, reducing the production cost from US$44 for every liter to US$9.50. (Source)

What Are The Benefits Of Durian Seeds?

What Are The Benefits Of Durian Seeds

Durian seeds are typically tossed away, and it might surprise folks to know that they are an excellent source of nutrition.

They contain good essential oils, fiber, starch, and zinc.

In addition, each average-sized seed has about 1.4g of healthy fat.

Zinc is an essential mineral and found in the second-highest concentration in our bodies, the first being Iron.

It is found in our cells and is a crucial part of our immune system.

It also breaks down carbohydrates, heals wounds, promotes cellular growth, and makes DNA and proteins.

Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in rice, wheat, potatoes, and other staple foods.

Digesting starch makes glucose; a vital energy source. In addition, starchy foods provide dietary fiber.

Dietary fiber is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

There is insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and creates a gel that is known to reduce cholesterol and sugar levels.

It helps your body control blood sugar levels and may help in reducing the risk of diabetes.

Our bodies cannot digest insoluble fiber.

It moves through the digestive system and eventually finds its way into your colon, or large intestine.

There, it runs into your friendly gut bacteria called probiotics, which are more than happy to munch hungrily on them.

Probiotics are what is keeping your digestive system balanced and healthy.

It boosts your immune system and lines your gut cells to help fight against invading harmful bacteria.

To feed the good guys in the belly, you’ll need to consume enough dietary fiber.

It is estimated that the average American eats only 16 grams of fiber a day.

In comparison, the recommended daily fiber intake is:

Men under 50 38 grams
Women under 50 25 grams
Men over 50 30 grams
Women over 50 21 grams

In addition to maintaining a healthy gut, fiber has also been credited with:

  • Helping with weight control by regulating your body’s satiation signals
  • Reducing the risk of hypertension
  • Regulating bowel movements
  • Reducing bad cholesterol
  • Lowering the risk of severe diseases like cancer and diabetes
  • Regulating blood sugar levels

Durian Calories Per Seed

Durian Calories Per Seed

A small durian seed of about 40g of seed and flesh contains about 60 calories and 1.4g of fat.

In comparison, the flesh of a whole durian fruit contains about 900 to 1500 calories depending on its size.

Durian seeds are rich in fiber, zinc, starch, and essential oils.

The durian fruit is a highly nutritious fruit rich in fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

One cup of pulp will give you:

Calories 357
Fat 13 grams
Carbohydrates 66 grams
Fiber 9 grams
Protein 4 grams
Vitamin C 80% of daily value (DV)
Thiamine 61% of DV
Vitamin B6 38% of DV
Potassium 30% of DV
Folate 22% of DV

(Source)

Durians aren’t called the “King of Fruits” for nothing. In addition to the nutrients, they have been linked to:

  • Reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels
  • Reducing the risk of cancer. The antioxidants found in durians like polyphenol fight free radicals and maintain a balanced body.
  • Lowering blood sugar. Durians have a low GI (Glycemic Index) and will not spike blood sugar levels as much as other tropical fruits.

What Happens When You Eat Too Much Durian?

What Happens When You Eat Too Much Durian

Durians are a rich fruit high in fat, sugar, and calories.

A single fruit can contain between 900 to 1,500 calories.

In addition, they are a rich fruit that has to be eaten in moderation.

Excessive consumption of durians can lead to weight gain, sore throat, mouth ulcers, and constipation.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the durian is considered a “heaty” food, meaning “yang” energy.

They have “warming” properties, and overconsumption can lead to some illnesses.

All foods have “heaty/yang” energy or “cooling/yin” energy.

Balance the durians out with foods with “cooling” or “yin” energy like apples, mint tea, coconut water, or green tea to avoid side effects.

In addition, durians should not be consumed with alcohol.

The fruit contains a sulphuric compound that slows the metabolism of alcohol.

Your liver is also busy processing both the alcohol and the high sugar and fat content in durians.

If liquor and durians are consumed excessively, some side effects include bloating, indigestion, and a pretty bad hangover.

Even though durians contain no unhealthy fats or cholesterol, it is still high in calories.

A large durian has up to 1,500 calories, making up most of the 2,000 recommended daily caloric intake.

Folks that have type-2 diabetes also should be wary of the number of durians they consume.

Durians are high in the simple sugars sucrose, fructose, and glucose, wreaking havoc on the insulin levels.

Conclusion

Durians aren’t called the King of Fruits for nothing.

In addition to their powerful smell and taste, they are a nutrient powerhouse.

The next time you indulge in one, consider using the seeds as well to save on food waste and extract the maximum nutrients from the fruit.

Happy durian eating!