Smelly Fruit, Kuala Lumpur

l have tried and tried to eat durian, but every time the smell drives me away, its like a mixture of cheese, sweaty socks and a few other things you dont want me to mention

there are signs in most hotels during the durian season forbidding the fruits inside

With such a grandiose title as that, what could be wrong or dangerous about the Durian, especially considering it is such a popular fruit in SE Asia?

Probably because this ungainly and spiky football sized fruit stinks to high heaven! It is the cultural equivalent of Marmite - you will either love it or hate it!

The smell is similar to that of the decomposing body of small creature, but despite this millions of people eat it when its in season!

If you're 'game' (another form of decomposing foodstuff!), why not try a slice at a local stall making sure not to get any over yourself in the process - you never know, you may decide you like the taste of rotting flesh... ;-)

Its unique 'perfume' is so all pervading that most hotels ban it by posting 'No Durian' signs in the foyers and lift areas with a warning that you will have to pay a 'fumigation' fine if you stink out one of their rooms...!