This Is Where Durian Gets Its Notorious Stench From [WATCH]

durian stench

Durian is without a doubt one of the most well-known fruits in the world. People prize it for its amazing flavor, though its notorious for its stench that can stink up entire subway trains. While we love comparing the aroma and taste of this fruit, it’s hard to understand why it’s so odoriferous.

Luckily, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is here to help us understand the science behind this pungent produce. Their latest video to the ACS’s YouTube channel, Reactions, breaks down why durian has such a strong and unpleasant odor. This includes talking about the specific chemicals responsible for the fruit’s overall aroma profile. Additionally, the ACS talks about why durian’s stench is so strong and persistent, especially for humans. There’s also a discussion as to why some people can tolerate the smell more than others.

Overall, the ACS is aiming to sharpen your understanding of the fruit and sensory science by breaking down durian’s aroma. Hopefully, after you watch the video, you’ll be able to better comprehend what’s really going on when you smell durian. Perhaps you’ll even want to try some of the fruit for yourself, if you haven’t already. The fragrance may be unbearable to you at first, but trust me, the actual fruit is absolutely delicious.

More content

Innovation
Starbucks Swears Its New ‘AI Barista’ Won’t Replace Humans—But Should We Be Worried?
In June, Starbucks announced its first-ever generative-AI assistant, “Green Dot Assist,” designed to help human employees. Unlike the current iPad P.O.S. system, which requires you…
,
InnovationProducts
Lay’s And Doritos Are Getting A Clean Makeover—No Artificial Dyes or Flavors
In PepsiCo’s Second Quarter 2025 Earnings report, the company announced several innovations it plans to enact, in an effort to reduce the use of artificial…
,
Eating OutInnovation
Chick-fil-A Tests Its First-Ever 24-Hour Vending Machine
Chipotle is testing drone delivery, and Starbucks just announced an innovative AI-assistant named “Green Dot Assist” that predicts orders, manages inventory, and quite possibly, sets…
,
Burger
We Deliver!

Enter your email address below and we'll deliver our top stories straight to your inbox