What’s the Difference Between Durian & Jackfruit?

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Comparing the world’s smelliest fruits, so you don’t have to

5 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: February 1, 2023 Fact Checked

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What is durian?

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What is jackfruit?

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Differences

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Similarities

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Warnings

You’re walking through a food market when you spot two peculiar fruits (well, you think they’re fruits). One’s spiky and small, and the other is bumpy and large—what are they? My friend, it sounds like you’ve stumbled across some durian and jackfruit! These tropical fruits sure are interesting, but which is which and how do they differ? In this article, we’ve put durian and jackfruit head-to-head to teach you everything there is to know about their smell, taste, appearance, and more.

Things You Should Know

Durian smells like socks and sewer water, whereas jackfruit compares to a mixture of pineapple, banana, and rotten onions.
Jackfruits are the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, while durians are roughly the size of an apple.
The fibrous texture and malleable taste of jackfruit make it a great meat substitute, and durians are tasty sweet and savory snacks.

Section 1 of 4:

What is durian?

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Durian is a tropical, smelly fruit with a custard-like pulp. This fruit is infamous for its pungent smell and acquired taste. Durian naturally grows in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand and is banned in many public places due to its foul odor.^{[1]
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- The scientific name for a durian plant is Durio zibethinus.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 4:

What is jackfruit?

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Jackfruit is a tropical food that can be served as a fruit or vegetable. This large and robust fruit is native to Asia and grows in wetlands. When jackfruit is green and unripe, it can be cooked as a vegetable. When it’s ripe, the sweetly acidic pulp can be enjoyed as a fruit.^{[3]
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- The scientific name for jackfruit is Artocarpus heterophyllus.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 4:

Differences

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Ripe durian is soft, while jackfruit is crunchy. These tropical fruits have a sweet taste when ripe, but their textures are very different. Jackfruits are fibrous and dense, whereas durians are creamy, like bananas.
- Durian is said to taste like a mixture of cheese, almonds, caramel, and onion.
- Jackfruit is often described as tasting like a cross between mango and bananas, but its unripe form can easily take on other flavors.^{[5]
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These fruits are often banned from public transportation because of their foul odor. Durian is described as smelling like socks and sewer water, while jackfruit is compared to pineapple, banana, and rotten onions (depending on who you ask).^{[6]
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When comparing the two fruits, jackfruit is massive compared to durian (or any fruit).^{[7]
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Research source} Jackfruits can be 2 feet (61 cm) long and weigh 40 pounds (18 kg), whereas durians are typically 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in size.^{[8]
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Apart from their size, the main way to visually tell these fruits apart is by their rough exteriors. Jackfruits have a bumpy and almost scaly outer shell, whereas durians are covered in needle-like spikes.
Jackfruit is a common staple for those within the vegan and vegetarian communities, thanks to its pork-like texture. When pulled apart, a jackfruit’s pulp becomes stringy and meaty. Because of this, jackfruit is often used to make savory dishes, such as “pork” or “chicken” tacos, sandwiches, or casseroles.^{[9]
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This is one of the reasons why jackfruit is an awesome meat substitute. Its protein-dense flesh can be more filling than a durian’s, as there’s about 1.9 g of protein per 100 g of ripe jackfruit.^{[10]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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Section 4 of 4:

Similarities

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Durian and jackfruit seeds can be roasted and eaten. Although durian and jackfruit seeds cannot be eaten raw, they make a delicious snack when roasted. These seeds can be baked like pumpkin seeds with a little oil and salt.
- Keep in mind that jackfruit seeds are scattered amongst their flesh, while durian seeds are encapsulated in oval compartments surrounded by pulp.
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Durian and jackfruit are both packed with vitamins and minerals. These smelly but delicious fruits are a great addition to any diet. Take a look at how they compare:
- Durian is high in copper, zinc, iron, and vitamin B.^{[11]
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  PubMed Central
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- Jackfruit is high in calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and C.^{[12]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
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Warnings

Avoid eating jackfruit if you have a latex or birch pollen allergy, as these allergies can have cross-reactions with the fruit.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
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