durian

Everyday

1. A durian is a big, spiky tropical fruit from Southeast Asia with soft, creamy flesh inside. tree →
2. It is famous for its very strong smell, which some people love and many find awful. tree →

In the lessons

Geography and food lessons about Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore). In stories it is a funny or exotic detail. Some hotels and trains ban it because of the smell. Phrases: durian fruit, king of fruits.

Examples

• A durian is covered in sharp spikes. tree →
• The durian smelled so strong we opened the windows. tree →
• In Singapore some trains have signs saying no durians. tree →
• People call the durian the king of fruits. tree →
• My friend from Malaysia loves durian ice cream. tree →
• Carry a durian carefully, the spikes can hurt. tree →

Note

Countable. Say «DOOR-ee-an». It is a real fruit, not invented. The smell is real but harmless; tastes are personal. It grows on tall trees, and falling durians can hurt people.