Creamy, sweet, bitter and bold, all in one bite. Tucking into durian is simply the epitome of indulgence. Its pure, natural flesh alone is so good that you can enjoy it by itself — no accompaniment necessary!
That being said, durian does pair fabulously well with a bunch of other flavours. By incorporating durian into a sweet treat or pairing it with other foods, you can enhance its flavour and open a whole new world of durian enjoyment. Every hero needs a sidekick, after all. We’ve talked about the worst durian combinations, so let’s take a look at the best durian sidekicks and food pairings!
1. Tropical Fruits
2. Desserts
Just like plenty of other fruits, durian works beautifully with the neutral flavour of cream to form a host of desserts. From Western classics like layered cream cakes, crepe cakes, cheesecake, and ice cream, to local favourites like pancakes, chendol and even mooncake and ang ku kueh, you’ll find plenty of durian desserts here in Singapore.
You don’t even have to whip out your mixing bowl to make your very own dessert creations. Take a shortcut by adding a few pieces of durian on a plate with store-bought vanilla sponge cake or milk ice cream and voilà — homemade durian dessert! The strong, intense flavours of durian still shine through and allow you to indulge in unique durian versions of your beloved treats.
3. Sticky Rice
4. Salt Water
As mentioned, durian is considered in TCM to be a ‘heaty’ food. One of the popular ways to combat heatiness is to drink salt water — specifically, pouring salt water into the empty durian husk and drinking from it. This has been a tradition and a myth in the durian world for ages. Does it actually work? Nobody knows for sure, but it is widely believed that salt water helps reduce toxins and heatiness.
5. Even MORE Durians!
The best thing to pair with a plate of durian… is a second plate of durian! With so many types of durians widely available, durian can very well be their own sidekick. Why not stage your very own durian tasting session at home? Create a sampling platter by buying several varieties, trying them from the lightest and sweetest to the most intense and bitter. Only when indulging in multiple durian variants in a row, can you fully notice and enjoy their distinct aromas and differences in flavour.