In case you didn’t know, it’s durian season!

If you love this controversial fruit, you may be thinking of keeping some durian at home for your next gathering or just to snack on every now and then. However, you may also be worried about the infamous durian smell lingering in your kitchen and dining room.

Keeping durian at home without the lingering smell is very much possible. We spoke with Winn from Benelux, the fruit supplier for Brightfarms, in collaboration with foodpanda, to find out how to avoid and remove the durian smell in your kitchen and the rest of your home.

How to prevent the durian smell at home

Image courtesy of Alexey Demidov, Unsplash

“Contrary to popular belief, you can very easily avoid the smell of durian overwhelming your home,” Winn shares. “When eating durian, always keep your windows open and turn on a fan. This allows fresh air to circulate and disperse the smell in the room.”

For those particularly sensitive to lingering smells, Winn recommends placing bowls of activated charcoal or baking soda around the house to absorb the durian odour.

The best ways to remove the durian smell

There are a number of natural remedies to remove the durian smell from your kitchen—in fact, several methods use items found in your everyday pantry.

“The most effective method I’ve found is using vinegar to wipe down surfaces and utensils to neutralise odours. For a more refreshing scent, you can follow this up with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice on a sponge,” we learn from Winn.

“If you have particularly stubborn spots after cutting and serving durian, apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to the surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping it down.”

His personal favourite tip? “Simmer a pot of water with aromatic spices like cinnamon sticks, gloves or ginger for a fragrant scent throughout your home.”

How long can you keep durian in the fridge?

Image courtesy of Jim Teo, Unsplash

When it comes to keeping durian fresh, the best storage method really depends on how long you intend to keep the durian.

“If you plan on consuming it over a few days, I recommend transferring your durian into an airtight container and storing it in the fridge at two to five degrees to maintain freshness. Any longer and you should store away your leftovers in the freezer, where durian can stay fresh for up to six months.”

Hosting a gathering and want some extra fresh durian? Winn points out that you can get it delivered on the spot. He recommends ordering the Brightfarms Pahang Blackgold Mao Shan Wang durian, available on pandamart.

How to prevent the durian smell in your fridge

“Proper storage is the best way to keep the durian smell from affecting other food items in your fridge,” Winn advises. “In addition to storing my durian in an airtight container, I like to keep it tucked away in a dedicated section or drawer of my fridge.”

To keep your fridge smelling fresh and absorb any durian odours, “you can also leave a dish of baking soda or ground coffee, or place a few slices of citrus fruit in the fridge.”

His final tip: “If you don’t have any airtight containers available, reuse empty takeaway containers with a layer of plastic wrap before closing your lid!”