Durian

A large, thorn-husked tree fruit (Durio zibethinus and related species) native to Borneo and Sumatra, cultivated across Southeast Asia and known for a strong odor that divides opinion sharply, banned from many hotels and public transport systems in the region despite the fruit's prized creamy flesh and status as a delicacy. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are the leading producing countries, and China has become the dominant export market, driving a rapid expansion of durian orchards across mainland and island Southeast Asia in recent decades. Dozens of named cultivars are grown, prized for differences in flesh texture, sweetness and aroma intensity, and durian is eaten fresh or used in a range of regional sweets and dishes.