Scent of a Durian

When it comes to cheese, many think the smellier the better. But the same rule seems not to apply to durian, the spiky yellow fruit native to many southeast Asian countries. While  local eaters enjoy it dried, as a paste, or raw, the fruit's foul scent, which has been likened to sweaty socks and diaper pails, turns away many others.

But now, The World reports, that some enterprising restaurateurs are cooking up ways to make the offensive fruit more appealing to foreign palates — and sell more durian dishes while they're at it. At Bijan restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, chef Zulkifli Razali presents durian as a delectable dessert by layering it in — what else — a chocolate cake. At Ignatius Stephen's cafe in Brunei, the fruit is made into a shake. The smell won't be entirely covered up, but the point is to slowly ease people into the experience.

Still not sold? We hear that durian has great nutritional benefits including high levels of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. So do bananas, you say? Well, folklore also has it that durian is a potent aphrodisiac. We thought that might get your attention.

Photo courtesy of Irrational_Cat, via Flickr