Thailand introduces a odorless durian variety.

According to SCMP, the Pak Chong-Khao Yai durian variety, a type of the popular Mon Thong durian grown in Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeastern Thailand, has been granted geographical indication certification by the country's authorities.

At the durian fair in Pak Chong district, co-organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this durian variety was widely available. Pak Chong-Khao Yai durian is described as sweet and dry, with firm segments, and most importantly, without an unpleasant odor (for many people). At this fair, many celebrities came to sample the "non-foul-smelling" durian.

The Pak Chong-Khao Yai durian variety was granted geographical indication certification by Thailand's intellectual property authority last year. This label is applied to products corresponding to a specific geographical location and possessing characteristics or qualities associated with that particular location, such as Scottish whisky.

Thailand is the world's leading durian exporter, earning approximately 187 billion baht (US$5 billion) last year amid soaring demand in China. According to UN figures, China's imports of fresh durian quadrupled to US$2.3 billion in 2020, compared to 2017. Durian surpassed cherries to become China's number one imported fruit by value in 2019.

Although durian is popular in many Southeast Asian countries and China, in other countries it remains a controversial fruit, primarily due to its strong smell. In 2018, a Sriwijaya Air flight (Indonesia) was delayed for 60 minutes after passengers complained of an "unbearable" odor, which turned out to be caused by bags of durian. The plane was only able to take off after all the durian had been removed.

In 2019, students and staff at the University of Canberra (Australia) had to be evacuated due to a "toxic fume smell," which turned out to be caused by durian fruit placed near the library's ventilation vents. Rescue teams were called in and had to put the durian in an airtight bag to dispose of it. In many cities, bringing durian into hotel rooms or onto public transport is also prohibited.

Anh Thi