Durian is a tropical fruit known for its strong odor and unique taste, often referred to as the “king of fruits.” Although some people find the smell off-putting, those who love the fruit can’t get enough of it. If you’re ready to start enjoying this flavorful, fleshy fruit, follow these 13 steps.

1. Choose the right durian: Look for a durian with a strong aroma and slightly soft flesh. This indicates that the fruit is ripe and ready to be eaten.

2. Prepare your workspace: Durian can be messy, so it’s best to lay down newspapers or plastic bags on your table. Have a cutting board, sharp knife, gloves or napkins, and a trash bag handy for easy cleanup.

3. Wear gloves (optional): The durian’s thorny exterior can make handling it difficult. If you prefer not to hold the fruit directly, wear gloves or use napkins to protect your hands.

4. Inspect the durian: Look for seams between each section of the fruit. These natural seams indicate where you should split the fruit apart.

5. Cut along the seam: Hold the durian firmly and carefully slice along one of the seams with a sharp knife until you reach the center.

6. Pry open the durian: Grasp both sides of the durian and gently pull apart along the cut seam, exposing the juicy flesh inside.

7. Locate the edible sections: Inside each section of the durian are segments containing soft, edible flesh surrounding large seeds.

8. Scoop out the flesh: Use a spoon or your fingers to remove each segment of flesh from its outer shell. Be sure not to puncture any seeds in doing so.

9. Remove seeds (optional): You can either eat around them or remove them before eating—just be sure not to swallow them accidentally.

10. Enjoy the fruit: Savor the rich, custard-like texture of the durian flesh and enjoy its unique flavor profile.

11. Repeat steps 5-10: Continue to cut along the seams, pry open the durian, and scoop out each segment of flesh until you’ve eaten your fill.

12. Clean up: Dispose of any shells, seeds, and newspapers in a trash bag, then wash your hands with soap and water to eliminate any lingering odor.

13. Share your experience: Introduce friends and family to this exotic fruit, helping them follow these steps as needed. You might just find fellow durian lovers you can share your passion with!

In conclusion, eating durian can be a fun and unique experience if you follow these 13 easy steps. Enjoy the flavors this ‘king of fruits’ has to offer and don’t let its notorious odor deter you from trying something new!