- Email: [email protected]
Durian, King of Tropical fruit
Postharvest Biology and Technology 26 (2002) 117– 118 www.elsevier.com/locate/postharvbio
Book review Durian, King of Tropical fruit S. Subhadrabandhu and S. Ketsa, Daphne Brasell Associates, Thordon, Wellington, New Zealand, 2001. 178 pp. ISBN 0-85199-496-2; US$55.00 The durian is a large seasonal crop in South East Asia. It is rather unknown outside that region because there are a few problems relating to shipping and shelf life. Although certainly a matter of taste, it is regarded as a delicacy by many throughout Asia. To many others, however, its smell is rather penetrating or even intolerable. Due to its peculiar and strong smell the fruit is barred from aeroplanes and hotels. In Singapore you even have to carry the fruit home by walking or by car, as it is barred from all public transport. Many people do find that, despite the unusual flavour and odour, a taste for durian can be gradually acquired and eating the fruit may even become a passion. The common name ‘king of tropical fruit’ refers to two facets: the highly nutritional flesh and the big thorns on the skin (reminiscent of those in jackfruit), which apparently resembles the thorny thrones of the Asian kings of old. The authors are Suranant Subhadrabandhu and Saichol Ketsa, both professor of horticulture at the Kasetsart (Agricultural) University of Thailand. David Jackson and Eric Scott, from Lincoln University in New Zealand, wrote a foreword. The authors give a detailed overview of the crop, including its history and marketing. The monograph is meant for people working in durian cultivation or in the supply chain as well
as those interested in associated technology and research. The content is divided into three parts. Part one, ‘The plant and the environment’ roughly covers the origin and history, the production areas, and general aspects on the botany, genetics and physiology of the plant and its fruit. Part two ‘Pre-harvest management’ covers propagation, orchard practices and diseases. Part three ‘Post-harvest management, costs and marketing’ deals with economical aspects, post-harvest practices, various products based on the fruit, and marketing. The book contains references including about 150 citations of recent origin. In addition there is a glossary of terms. The book contains eight pages with coloured pictures. The monograph provides insight into the developments in several important growing areas in South East Asia (Thailand being the leading producer), but the available data do not include the more recent years. Each production area has its own cultivars, which are described in detail. About ten pages deal with post-harvest technology. The data include a harvesting index and postharvest physiology. It becomes clear that the postharvest knowledge of this crop is still rather meagre, and that no official standards are yet available for quality of export durians. The main durian products are minimally processed fruit, frozen fruit, and both powder and paste. These products become increasingly important, both locally and abroad. The odour problem is completely gone after processing, and this definitely removes a main obstacle for shipping.
0925-5214/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PII: S 0 9 2 5 - 5 2 1 4 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 0 - 0
118
Book re6iew
We agree with David Jackson and Eric Scott that the book can be recommended for everyone who works with this crop or is interested in getting an overview. The book is comprehensive, easy to read and rather complete. At a price of US$55.00 it is good value for money.
Anneke J.J. Polderdijk, Henry C.P.M. van der Valk ATO, Wageningen Uni6ersity and Research Centre, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands E-mail: [email protected]
Book review Durian, King of Tropical fruit S. Subhadrabandhu and S. Ketsa, Daphne Brasell Associates, Thordon, Wellington, New Zealand, 2001. 178 pp. ISBN 0-85199-496-2; US$55.00 The durian is a large seasonal crop in South East Asia. It is rather unknown outside that region because there are a few problems relating to shipping and shelf life. Although certainly a matter of taste, it is regarded as a delicacy by many throughout Asia. To many others, however, its smell is rather penetrating or even intolerable. Due to its peculiar and strong smell the fruit is barred from aeroplanes and hotels. In Singapore you even have to carry the fruit home by walking or by car, as it is barred from all public transport. Many people do find that, despite the unusual flavour and odour, a taste for durian can be gradually acquired and eating the fruit may even become a passion. The common name ‘king of tropical fruit’ refers to two facets: the highly nutritional flesh and the big thorns on the skin (reminiscent of those in jackfruit), which apparently resembles the thorny thrones of the Asian kings of old. The authors are Suranant Subhadrabandhu and Saichol Ketsa, both professor of horticulture at the Kasetsart (Agricultural) University of Thailand. David Jackson and Eric Scott, from Lincoln University in New Zealand, wrote a foreword. The authors give a detailed overview of the crop, including its history and marketing. The monograph is meant for people working in durian cultivation or in the supply chain as well
as those interested in associated technology and research. The content is divided into three parts. Part one, ‘The plant and the environment’ roughly covers the origin and history, the production areas, and general aspects on the botany, genetics and physiology of the plant and its fruit. Part two ‘Pre-harvest management’ covers propagation, orchard practices and diseases. Part three ‘Post-harvest management, costs and marketing’ deals with economical aspects, post-harvest practices, various products based on the fruit, and marketing. The book contains references including about 150 citations of recent origin. In addition there is a glossary of terms. The book contains eight pages with coloured pictures. The monograph provides insight into the developments in several important growing areas in South East Asia (Thailand being the leading producer), but the available data do not include the more recent years. Each production area has its own cultivars, which are described in detail. About ten pages deal with post-harvest technology. The data include a harvesting index and postharvest physiology. It becomes clear that the postharvest knowledge of this crop is still rather meagre, and that no official standards are yet available for quality of export durians. The main durian products are minimally processed fruit, frozen fruit, and both powder and paste. These products become increasingly important, both locally and abroad. The odour problem is completely gone after processing, and this definitely removes a main obstacle for shipping.
0925-5214/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PII: S 0 9 2 5 - 5 2 1 4 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 0 - 0
118
Book re6iew
We agree with David Jackson and Eric Scott that the book can be recommended for everyone who works with this crop or is interested in getting an overview. The book is comprehensive, easy to read and rather complete. At a price of US$55.00 it is good value for money.
Anneke J.J. Polderdijk, Henry C.P.M. van der Valk ATO, Wageningen Uni6ersity and Research Centre, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands E-mail: [email protected]