So you’ve polished your piece of durian clean, making sure to nibble off every tasty morsel of meat.
But once you’re done, what do you do with the seed?
Like most people, you probably toss it into the trash, not giving it a second thought. But durian isn’t known as the king of fruits for nothing, as apart from its creamy flesh, its seeds are edible too!
Now hold up, don’t go gnawing into a raw durian seed just yet. When uncooked, they contain toxic substances (cyclopropene fatty acids) that are poisonous and potentially carcinogenic in nature, so be sure to only consume properly cooked durian seeds. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the health benefits and ways to use the neglected durian seed!
Nutritional Benefits of Durian Seeds
Durian meat offers several health benefits, but so do its seeds. Durian seeds are high in starch, which is a source of carbohydrates and energy. Starchy foods tend to hold lots of fibre, which helps to keep your digestive system healthy and prevents constipation. Apart from starch, durian seeds are also packed with plenty of minerals such as calcium for strong bones, and zinc, which acts as an essential catalyst for over 100 enzymes to function.
Ways to Use Durian Seeds
1. Boiled Durian Seeds
One of the easiest ways to turn durian seeds into a snack is to boil them. Start by soaking the seeds in water to remove any remaining durian flesh. Next, boil the seeds like you would a potato until soft. Peel away the outer skin and enjoy!
Since they are mostly starch, boiled durian seeds can be rather bland, so you might want to sprinkle some salt on them to enhance their flavour. Some have likened the taste of durian seeds to chalky potato, yam, or cassava (yucca) root.
2. Roasted Durian Seeds
Just like roasted chestnuts or jackfruit seeds, roasted durian seeds are a delightfully toasty treat. Simply lay the seeds on a baking tray, cover with aluminium foil and roast them in an oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15-20 minutes. They make an excellent snack with a drier texture and more roasted flavour than their boiled counterparts.
3. Fried Durian Seed Chips
Durian seed chips are a real, albeit somewhat uncommon, product that you can buy! Of course, you can also try making them yourself at home by following this Malaysian netizen’s viral recipe.
Begin by cleaning the seeds and soaking them in a bowl of saltwater overnight to soften. The next day, slice the seeds into 2-3 millimeter-thick pieces and deep fry them in oil over a low flame, stirring continuously. Once they are light and crispy, remove them and place them on paper towels to soak up any excess oil. Optionally, you can toss them in salt or other seasonings like garlic powder for an extra savoury flavour.
When served plain, they are a perfect topping or garnish on your favourite durian desserts, providing a wonderful crunchy element especially for those who are allergic to nuts.
4. Turn It Into Glue
Yes, you read that right! When durian seeds are processed into a pulp, they become a naturally sticky glue that can be used to stick building materials or household appliances. In fact, scientists from the Nanyang Technological University have found that this same durian gum can be used as a natural food stabiliser.
Give Durian Seeds a Chance!
The next time you are having a durian feast, why not collect the seeds to make a homemade snack? After all, you’ll never know until you try! Head over to our e-shop to get your durian fix delivered to your doorstep.