When we lived in Kuala Lumpur in the early 1980s, an American fast food chain decided to tailor its offerings to match local tastes. As part of their efforts they created a new milkshake flavored with a fruit that is considered a delicacy in much of Southeast Asia: the durian. Durian is a large fruit with creamy flesh and a strong taste. Its odor is unmistakable and quite pungent. People who eat durian often smell like it; the scent seems to seep out their pores.
At any rate, McDon --- I mean "the fast food chain" soon came to regret its durian shake decision. Shortly after the durian shake was added to the menu, and to the shake machine, every other shake flavor (vanilla, chocolate, or whatever) also came out tasting like durian! According to the rumor mill they had to get an entirely new machine before vanilla was vanilla again.
As a side note, passengers flying on most airlines in the region are forbidden from bringing durian on board.
It's the rainy season and that means it's durian season in Indonesia. Today during my trip to Trawas I was lucky enough to see not only durian at several fruit stands but also ripening on trees at the Ubaya campus. Tracy, these pictures are especially for you.
When a DPU Student Services staffer from Singapore gave a presentation at the public library, she devoted a few minutes on what this fruit was and how it is forbidden to eat in public in Singapore. Must be worse than garlic!
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