I’m going to Boston the first week in October – plan
to bring back some apples, etc. Can anyone on this list direct me to some
good orchards – or yours? I’m looking for Empire apples, for sure.
My sister in Boston
went to one last weekend, and said all the apples were sour – sounds like
she was a bit too soon? I went to one around Concord
or Acton, but
can’t remember where.
You can reply privately.
Thanks,
Lori
Lori Rizzo, RN BSN MBA
Health Care Quality
Improvement
Pet Training &
Behavior Improvement!
Maryville, TN
larizzo@charter.net
From:
nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jwlehman@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009
8:26 AM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Durian, King
of fruits?
In a message dated 9/17/2009 12:40:22 AM Central Daylight
Time, Docshiva@Docshiva.org writes:
Anyone watch Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern? He
travels the world eating weird stuff: eyeballs, bugs, cheese with live maggots,
still-moving tentacles, that sort of thing. The only thing he found so
vile and disgusting that he immediately threw up afterward was durian.
Dear Group,
I have eaten durian several times in my travels. That is what fruit exploring
is all about.
My first exposure was in the south of China,
near the China Sea. It was in a farmers fruit
market. They delighted in having me smell it, watching my reaction at the first
smell, then laughing when through my wrinkled up face I said no to purchasing
one.
The second experience and first taste was in Thailand, at the home of a local
well educated family who had invited Barbara and I for dinner. They
treated us to a variety of local tropical fruits and vegetables, including
durian. Barbara couldn't get up enough courage to try it as she had
smelled the one in China.
I ate seconds.
It is my opinion that some people like to startle first time tasters with
durian just as giving unsuspecting people green astringent persimmons. The
people in the China
market delighted in my facial expressions to the aroma of a variety that had a
strong limburger aroma. I suspect Zimmerman was deliberately given a specially
bad stinky variety with equally foul taste. Adds to the show!
The durian I've eaten was pealed first, removing the skin, which reduces (not
totally eliminates) the foul aroma. It is best eaten by not smelling it first.
I've not had enough to "develop a taste" for it, but will eat it
again if the opportunity presents itself.
Breeders of durian have been working to reduce the limburger cheese smell of
durian and now have varieties that are being sold in US markets that carry very
little bad aroma, but still not an inviting aroma in my opinion. Just as in
apples, there is a great variety in durian. The taste of some varieties is
slightly sweet but still one must develop a taste for.
While traveling in China
last December with a travel group I purchased durian flavored candy in the Xian
airport. There was a couple from Indonesia in the group and they
enjoyed the candy and asked for seconds. A lady from NY (as I recall)
asked to try one and promptly spit it out, with force. Some sucked the hard
piece until gone but didn't ask for another. I still have some of that durian
flavored candy here in my office. I'm not a big hard candy eater and very
honestly enjoy this even less.
If someone would like to experience the taste of durian, send me a self
addressed $1 stamped envelope and I'll send a piece, while the supply lasts.
The candy was made in Thailand
and pieces are individually wrapped so should be sanitary. None of us got sick
from eating it in the airport.
Jerry