Or, this is going to be quick because I can’t bear to think about it any longer than is strictly necessary
I was sure I would love this durian candy because it is ethnic and different and I am ethnic and different. Sniff. I thought we’d be like two peas in a pod, me and durian candy, two misunderstood souls trying to get past an unfair rap in a world that just doesn’t understand.
If you don’t know what durian is, it is a fruit that is famous for being stinky. Here is the wiki entry on durian, if you would like to know a lot about it. All I know is that they sell it at the local Vietnamese market but I’ve never had enough extra money to buy it (I spend my extra money on Yan Yans) and it seems very rude to sniff durian that you’ve no intention on buying. The store as a whole has an odd smell to it so even if I were right next to the fruit, there are just too many competing odors for me to get a sense of durian odor.
And you know what, it’s not surprising that it smells weird to me because I am half-KOREAN and the store is VIETNAMESE and they sell food from all over Asia and Mexico. Do you not think Canadian houses smell weird to Americans? I’ll wager they do! Sorry, somebody was extremely surprised once that I found the smell of the Vietnamese market odd which made me paranoid that perhaps I smelled like Chinese five spice powder mixed with pig uterus and Thai basil and just didn’t realize it because who can smell themselves? I mean, this person was that surprised. So, it’s a sensitive subject.
True story: Once I was walking in the Vietnamese food store in the produce section and this guy holds up something to me and asks “what’s this? how do you cook it?” and I said “yeah, I think that’s a cucumber.” I kind of wanted to add “and you stick it up your butt and around the corner” but I’m no longer 12.
So you see, love/hate relationship with all things that are in or come from the Vietnamese food store.
The candies were not chewy like caramels, instead they were very hard. Perhaps they were supposed to be chewy and dried out on the trip from Thailand? I sniffed them and couldn’t quite place the smell. It wasn’t overpoweringly bad, but not good either. Sort of musty and an elusive whiff of vomit and coconut.
I should break away to note that I hate the smell of coconut and the only way I like coconut is on a proper coconut cake, the kind that has been soaking in coconut juice in the fridge for a couple of days. Otherwise no coconut. I am thinking of starting a rumor that the next big allergy is coconut and kids can die just from sniffing coconut scented shampoo so people will associate it with death and stop using it.
I put it in my mouth and the taste was just foul mixed with coconut, which is also foul. Like dusty coconut that somebody had thrown up on and the person thought they’d rinsed it all the way but there was still some invisible vomit residue. There was no way I could finish it and I threw it out and felt sick for a long time, until I made some fresh homemade pitas and settled my stomach.
Well it was settled then I started writing this and now my stomach is churning and heaving and I have that weird feeling in my throat like I’d like to cry or throw up.
Durian candy is a big stinky lie of a candy.
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Oh Tracy – I’m laughing as I write this. I love you idea about starting the coconut rumor. I like coconut on a few things with magic bars (also known as seven layer bars) a favorite.
The candy doesn’t sound very appetizing though.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Like Bees on Honey – Learn to Attract Comments to Your Blog
Tracy, boy, nothing worse than a candy that doesn’t deliver. Hey is Durian the fruit that has been banned for traveling with in some countries because of the offensive odor (like decomposing flesh)? If so…
Hey, I’m just sayin’
Hehe. Cheers
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..85 writing posts and counting
It does not sound pretty- but it made for a very funny post!
Jay´s last blog post..The Duality of Language- Life Coaching Continued
Ewwww foul mixed with coconut. Sounds BAD.
Thanks for the link!
Vered – MomGrind´s last blog post..Pita Bread Recipe: Homemade, Soft and Fabulous
I hate when candy turns out to be a disappointment. And I am not picky when it comes to sweet stuff!
I am baffled by your lack of foresight and wild optimism.
Oh, I have been there. I spent 3 years doing my regular grocery shopping in a store that reeked of Durian. I almost ate durian fruit twice, since I’ll try anything, but when it got it close to my mouth, it was also close to my nose, and the smell was too overpowering. There are signs posted in Singapore on the public transportation showing “no pets” and “no food or drink” and of course, “no durian.”
Thank you for testing out all of the foods of the world for me. I will keep this one off my “must try before I die” list.
Alisa Bowman´s last blog post..How to combat a case of the crummies
@Barbara – oh, I forgot I like magic bars and I like Samoas, but something like a coconut curry? Blech. And fake coconut flavor gives me the willies.
@Tumblemoose and Ming – I am open minded and non-judgmental. Ahem.
@Jay and Alisa and Vered Thanks! I think I mentioned it before that my mom used to (I think lovingly) refer to me as “the human garbage disposal” because I would try anything. I am very glad to have found a way to use that quality to be of service to others!
@sara remember when you sent me a box of local foods in an exchange? Thank you for not sending durian!
Tracy, that was great! The whole ethnic market/smell issue really is a sensitive subject. I take my kids to a local Mexican market to buy carne asada and everytime we go, I have to warn them not to comment loudly on the smell. They sell innards of various sorts there, so the place has kind of a distinctive smell to it. Then one time I commented to a friend of mine that I loved mangoes, but think that papaya tastes like vomit. She was surprised and even seemed somewhat offended that I thought this. I’ve had other people tell me that they think the same thing though, so I know I’m not alone.
I just don’t understand how people can be offended by other people’s personal tastes. Like really, if you aren’t used to foods/smells of foods, they can be a little strange! I was friends with a guy from the Philippines and he thought eating roast beef was weird, was I offended, no of course not. He was never exposed to it, and its completely natural for someone to be unsure or something they have never experienced.
It takes a really self conscious person to be offended by the tastes of another. It isn’t like saying “the food from your country is disgusting and stinky and I have no idea how anyone can like it” it’s more: “this is outside my normal eating patterns and I find it a little strange and unfamiliar.”
Wow, I don’t think I am as adventurous as you are when it comes to food. Yea I say I would like to try something but when it comes down to it, unless someone tricks me, no way!
Durian…
I bought some from a Chinese shop in downtown toronto. It was presliced into thick chunks (kinda like you would do with watermelon) put on a tray, wrapped in plastic and frozen. Helps with the smell.
Anyhoo, I took it home and tried it. GAG. It was like fruit cheese. I put it back in the freezer. Ten minutes later I was tearing the package apart to eat more of that sweet and cheese fruit-cheese. I couldn’t believe what I was doing. it was like I was eating from a garbage can but I couldn’t stop. Never bought it again since I can’t reconcile my love of trash and rot and cheese in fruit form. I still remember it fondly… But, I’ve eaten pig brains in shabu-shabu, so I’m a glutten.
The only other food that has me so enthralled in memory is Japanese sanma (belt-fish?). The fish is completely forgettable. But the guts of the fish are divine. Your lips go numb as if you’ve just eaten a pound of coke. Great stuff.
Durian is the most wonderful fruit on this earth. The smell may be overpowering in a hot country but in London it’s just fine. I happen to come from middle east where lots of other good fruit grow but none could compete with durian. I think that poor candy was wasted on you…