This is one of those fruits that most people dare not to eat, or even come close to it. It’s not because it can harm you, but this fruit has a very pungent smell to it. For those who can accept the smell of it, they will be rewarded with creamy and sweet meat inside. Durian is a popular fruit in Asia, but have recently found their way to the U.S. Since durian is new to most people and for those who dare to eat it will wonder how long they can last.
So how long does durian last? The whole fresh durian will last a couple of weeks in the pantry. Durian that has been opened will last up to 5 days in the fridge. Frozen durian can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
Above is just an estimated time of how long they should last under normal conditions. The temperature, where it’s stored, and how it’s stored, will play an important role in how long the durian fruit will last.
Durian Shelf Life
| Pantry/Room Temperature | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole durian last | 1 Month | Not Recommended | Not Recommended |
| Cut durian last | 2 Hours | 4-5 Days | 2 Months |
How Long Does Durian Last?
A whole durian that hasn’t been cut open yet will last up to a month at room temperature. Their shelf life can be shortened if the room temperature is hot. Warmer temperature will cause the durian to ripen quickly, which causes the fruit to crack open. When it opens, the durian will usually go bad within a couple of days.
If you’re not planning to eat them yet, keep the fruit away from direct sunlight to prevent it from ripening. The best place to keep them is in a cool and dry place like the pantry.
Durian is one of those fruits that tends to go bad quickly once it’s exposed to air. Either you’ll need to eat all of it right away or put them in the fridge as soon as possible.
Durian that has been opened will usually last about 5 days in the fridge. The flesh of the fruit tends to go bad quickly when it’s exposed to air and heat. By keeping them cool like in the fridge, they will stay fresh longer.
Durian that is frozen will last up to 2 months in the freezer. However, it can last much longer, but after 2 months, the quality of the fruit will start decreasing. This is due to freezer burn which causes the durian taste and texture to degrade.
If it’s in the freezer for more than 2 months, durian can be used in smoothies to drink or preparing a meal as the taste will not be affected much.
How to Store Durian?
Most of the time, you’ll be buying a durian that is already opened and the flesh is frozen. Fresh durian is not easily found at your local supermarket because this exotic fruit is seasonal. However, during the harvesting season which runs from February to June, it’s possible to find them at Asian grocery stores.
If you do have a chance to come across fresh whole durian, proper storage is the key to keeping them lasting for a long time. Always check the quality of the fruit before you buy them. Look for cracks and browning of the spikes on the skin of the fruit. If you see cracks or the spikes turning brown, the durian will usually not last for more than a couple of days.
For fresh whole durian, keep them stored in a cool and dry place. Durian is one of those fruits that go bad really quickly if it’s exposed to air and heat. A good location is in the pantry where it’s dark and cool. If a pantry isn’t possible due to its size, you can simply put the fruit somewhere in the kitchen, just as long as it’s not in direct sunlight.
Once the durian has been cut and if there are any leftovers, you’ll need to store them in the fridge right away. It’s best to store them in an airtight container where no air and moisture can get to them. If the container is not airtight and the air gets into it, the durian will go bad in a couple of days.
If you need to keep the durian longer than a week, you’ll need to freeze them. Freezing durian will help preserve their taste and texture for a long time. Durian that is kept in the freezer will usually last for about 2 months before the quality starts degrading. This is due to the freezer burn on the flesh of the durian.
Can You Freeze Durian?
Freezing durian is possible, and it’s recommended if you’re planning to store them for a long time. However, only the flesh can be put in the freezer, not the entire durian fruit.
Freezing the entire durian fruit is perfectly fine, but the problem is the size of it. Durian is a large fruit and could take up your entire space in the freezer. In addition, it will take a long time for the durian to freeze entirely.
The best way to freeze durian is to cut out the flesh and put them into an airtight container that’s suitable for freezer usage. When freezing the fruit, you’ll want to freeze both the flesh and seed. The seed is what keeps the durian it’s shaping when it’s frozen and when it thaws. When using an airtight container, get the one that is rectangular and only put a couple of them in each container. Put the durian gently into the container and give them some space between each other.
Another option and what I personally recommend is to vacuum seal each flesh of the durian individually and store it in the freezer. This way you can take as much as you need to eat or used it to make your favorite smoothie drinks.
Related Article: Can you freeze durian?
How To Freeze Durian
Since these fruits are seasonal, you may want to freeze them for later. Freezing durian is great for keeping them fresh longer.
Preparing the durian fruit to be stored in the freezer is simple. Below are the steps:
- Cut open the durian fruit. Make sure to wear protective gloves to prevent yourself from getting injured by the sharp spikes. It’s best to take your time and cut it slowly to prevent any injury.
- Once the fruit is opened, gently remove all the flesh of the durian and place it on a plate. It’s best to keep the seed inside the flesh when freezing it. The seed will help keep the flesh together when it thaws.
- Prepare the airtight container by rinsing it thoroughly with clean water and then dry it with a cloth.
- Once the container is completely dried, place the flesh of the durian gently in the container.
- Try to avoid stacking the flesh on top of each other. It’s best to place them next to each other and give them some space between each other.
- Put the lid on the container and seal it tightly. You’ll want it sealed tight, so no air can get to the flesh.
- Put the airtight container with the durian fruit in the freezer.
To thaw the durian, simply take it out from the freezer and transfer it to the fridge. It should thaw in about 5 hours or so in the fridge. If you need it sooner, take it out of the airtight container and leave it on a plate at room temperature. It should thaw in a couple of hours at room temperature. If it’s hot, the fruit will thaw much quicker.
If you are planning to use it to make a smoothie drink, you can just put the frozen durian fruit in the blender with ice.
How To Tell If Durian Is Bad?
When the durian fruit goes bad, there are some signs to look for. If they are bad, it’s a good idea to throw the entire fruit away. You may be tempted to cut only the bad part away, but when one part of the fruit is bad, the entire fruit is bad as well.
One sign to look for is the texture of the durian. Durian that is good will be firm to the touch and won’t slouch when you pick it up. If the flesh of the durian feels mushy and slouch when it’s picked up, the durian is bad and should be thrown away.
In addition, the durian that is bad or about to go bad will become watery. The flesh itself and around it will be watery. Good quality durian will be dry. If you notice that the flesh is watery, it’s best to throw the entire fruit away.
Another thing to look for is mold on the flesh. Since durian has a high amount of sugar and water content, mold will easily grow on them. Mold will usually occur after a couple of days in the fridge if it’s not stored properly.
If you’re buying a fresh whole durian, make sure to look at the shell of the durian for any cracks. If there are cracks, it’s a sign that it’s bad already or about to go bad.
Related Questions
Why does durian smell so bad?
To most people, the smell of the durian is unbearable. The smell can be so bad that some airlines actually bans durian from being carried on board. This is also true for some hotels as well. The reason behind the strong pungent smell that the durian gives off is to attract birds and insects to the fruit. When they come and eat the fruit, they help spread the seeds of the fruit to other places as well.
Are jackfruit and durian the same?
Durian and jackfruit aren’t related to each other. Durian originated in Southeast Asia, while Jackfruit originated in India. Jackfruit has a sweeter taste to it, and it doesn’t have the same smell or taste as the durian fruit.
However, both fruits are similar in appearance, except durian have thorns on its outer skin.
What happens if you eat too much durian?
Too much of anything isn’t good for you. As for this exotic fruit, it is high in sugars such as fructose and glucose. Eating too much durian can increase blood pressure, especially for those who have diabetes.