Plural of durian; large spiky tropical fruits native to Southeast Asia, known for their pungent smell and creamy, custard-like flesh.
From Malay durian, from duri meaning thorn or spike. The name perfectly describes the fruit's distinctive spiky exterior, and the word traveled into English through colonial trade with Southeast Asia.
Durians are called the 'king of fruits' in Asia, yet people either love or hate them—the smell is so strong that they're banned from public transportation in some cities, but fans say it tastes like sweet onions mixed with almonds.
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