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Durian is a large, spiky Southeast Asian fruit with custard-like flesh and a smell strong enough to split opinion: some people describe it as sweet and fruity, others as onion or rotten egg. Nutrition researchers notice something else. Unlike most fruits, durian fruit carries real fat and a lot of calories, plus notable amounts of potassium, thiamin (vitamin B1) and other B vitamins. One cup of raw or frozen durian has about 357 calories in USDA data. Below are the USDA durian nutrition facts, what makes the smell, what the research on durian benefits does and does not show, and what is known about eating durian with alcohol.
Peptide Labs does not sell durian or durian products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- One cup of raw or frozen durian (243 g) has about 357 calories, 13 grams of fat and 9.2 grams of fiber in USDA data.
- Durian is a strong source of thiamin (76% DV per cup), vitamin B6, copper and potassium.
- The smell comes mainly from sulfur compounds such as ethanethiol mixed with fruity esters.
- Human research on durian itself is scarce; most papers study chemistry, peel extracts or farming.
- Lab and rat studies suggest durian compounds slow alcohol breakdown; no human trial has tested this.
What is durian?
Durian (Durio zibethinus) grows on tall trees in the mallow family, Malvaceae, and is widely farmed in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Researchers often call it the king of the fruits, a nickname you will see across Southeast Asia. The fruit has a hard, thorny husk that opens along seams to reveal pods of soft, cream to golden flesh, each wrapped around a large seed. Well-known varieties include Monthong from Thailand and Musang King from Malaysia, and they differ in texture, sweetness and bitterness.
In the United States, most people meet durian as whole frozen fruit, frozen flesh in trays, or in desserts, candies and freeze-dried snacks at Asian grocery stores. Frozen durian is a sensible format here: the USDA entry covers raw or frozen durian with the same values.
Durian nutrition per cup and per 100 grams
The table uses the USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy entry for durian, raw or frozen (FDC 168192), converted to USDA’s portion of one cup chopped or diced (243 grams). The percent Daily Value (%DV) uses the FDA Daily Values printed on Nutrition Facts labels. SR Legacy lists no total sugars value for durian, so check the label on packaged durian for sugar.
| Nutrient (raw or frozen durian) | Per 100 g | % DV | 1 cup (243 g) | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 147 | Not applicable | 357 | Not applicable |
| Carbohydrate | 27.1 g | 10% | 65.8 g | 24% |
| Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | 9.2 g | 33% |
| Fat | 5.3 g | 7% | 13.0 g | 17% |
| Protein | 1.5 g | 3% | 3.6 g | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 19.7 mg | 22% | 47.9 mg | 53% |
| Thiamin (vitamin B1) | 0.37 mg | 31% | 0.91 mg | 76% |
| Riboflavin (vitamin B2) | 0.20 mg | 15% | 0.49 mg | 37% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.32 mg | 19% | 0.77 mg | 45% |
| Folate | 36 mcg | 9% | 87 mcg | 22% |
| Potassium | 436 mg | 9% | 1,059 mg | 23% |
| Magnesium | 30 mg | 7% | 73 mg | 17% |
| Copper | 0.21 mg | 23% | 0.50 mg | 56% |
| Manganese | 0.33 mg | 14% | 0.79 mg | 34% |
Three things stand out. First, calories: a cup of durian has roughly the energy of a small meal, which is why durian appears in our guide to calorie-dense foods. Second, the B vitamins: a cup supplies about three quarters of the Daily Value for thiamin and close to half for vitamin B6 in USDA data, nutrients explained in our vitamin B complex guide. Third, minerals: the cup provides about a quarter of the Daily Value for potassium and more than half for copper.
If a clinician has told you to limit potassium, for example because of kidney problems, ask how durian fits, since a cup carries more than 1,000 milligrams of potassium in USDA data. Our guide to potassium-rich foods puts that number in context.
Durian compared with other fruits
Durian sits between ordinary sweet fruits and avocado. The table compares 100 grams of each raw fruit in USDA SR Legacy data.
| Per 100 g, raw (USDA FDC ID) | Calories | Fat | Fiber (% DV) | Potassium (% DV) | Thiamin (% DV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durian (168192) | 147 | 5.3 g | 3.8 g (14%) | 436 mg (9%) | 0.37 mg (31%) |
| Avocado (171705) | 160 | 14.7 g | 6.7 g (24%) | 485 mg (10%) | 0.07 mg (6%) |
| Jackfruit (174687) | 95 | 0.6 g | 1.5 g (5%) | 448 mg (10%) | 0.11 mg (9%) |
| Banana (173944) | 89 | 0.3 g | 2.6 g (9%) | 358 mg (8%) | 0.03 mg (3%) |
| Mango (169910) | 60 | 0.4 g | 1.6 g (6%) | 168 mg (4%) | 0.03 mg (2%) |
Per 100 grams, durian has more potassium than banana, about the same as jackfruit, and far more thiamin than any fruit in the table. It has less fat than avocado but much more than other sweet fruits. For fruits with more vitamin C and fewer calories, see our mango guide; for fiber across many foods, see our guide to fiber-rich foods.
Why does durian smell so strong?
Food chemists have studied Thai Monthong durian in detail. A 2012 study identified 44 odor-active compounds. A 2017 follow-up measured them and found the most potent were a fruity ester, ethyl (2S)-2-methylbutanoate, and sulfur compounds described as rotten onion (ethanethiol) and roasted onion. When researchers rebuilt the aroma from these compounds, it smelled like durian. A 2020 study found ethionine, a building block for ethanethiol, in durian pulp, rising as the fruit ripens. That fits what people notice: the durian smell gets stronger with ripeness.
So the smell is not a sign of spoilage in itself. It is a blend of fruity and sulfur notes, and how you perceive the balance varies from person to person.
Durian benefits: what the research shows
Search for durian benefits and you will find long lists. The research behind them is thin.
- Nutrients: the solid evidence is the USDA composition above, which shows durian is a real source of thiamin, vitamin B6, copper, potassium and fiber.
- Antioxidant studies: recent papers measure phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in durian pulp, seed and peel extracts in the lab. Lab scores do not show effects in people; our guide to antioxidant-rich foods explains why.
- Peel and shell extracts: a 2021 review of durian shell describes traditional uses and lab findings. Shells are not what people eat, and no human trials support those uses.
- Blood sugar: durian has plenty of carbohydrate and no USDA sugar value. People managing diabetes should ask their clinician or dietitian how it fits; our low glycemic foods guide explains portion and pairing.
The honest summary: durian is a nutrient-rich, energy-dense fruit. Claims that it boosts libido, melts fat or replaces medicine are not supported by human studies.
Durian and alcohol
In Southeast Asia, many people believe it is unwise to drink alcohol after eating durian. There is some lab and animal support for a mechanism, but no human trial. In a 2009 study in the journal Food Chemistry, a durian extract blocked a yeast version of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde after drinking; the sulfur-rich fractions were the most active. A 2012 study by the same group gave rats durian and then alcohol and saw slower acetaldehyde clearance and a drop in body temperature, a pattern that resembles the reaction to the drug disulfiram. The authors themselves noted the human effect has not been established. Until it is studied in people, the cautious course is to avoid combining large servings of durian with alcohol.
How to eat durian
- Fresh: wear gloves or use a towel, cut along the seams of the husk and pry it open. Scoop out the pods of flesh; most people discard the large seeds.
- Frozen: thaw frozen durian in the refrigerator and eat it cold; store it sealed, since the smell travels.
- Snacks and desserts: durian candy, cakes and freeze-dried chips vary a lot in added sugar and fat, so read the Nutrition Facts label.
- Portions: because a cup carries more than 350 calories, many people share a fruit or eat a few pods at a time.
Durian is often paired in Southeast Asia with a very different fruit; our sibling guide to mangosteen covers that one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is durian healthy?
Durian supplies fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6, copper and potassium in USDA data, but it is also high in calories for a fruit. Portion size matters.
How many calories are in durian?
About 147 calories per 100 grams and about 357 per cup of raw or frozen durian, according to USDA SR Legacy data.
Why does durian smell bad?
Its aroma mixes fruity esters with sulfur compounds such as ethanethiol, which smells like rotten onion. The sulfur notes strengthen as the fruit ripens.
Can you drink alcohol after eating durian?
Lab and rat studies suggest durian compounds slow acetaldehyde breakdown, but no human trial exists. Avoiding the combination is the cautious choice.
Is frozen durian as nutritious as fresh?
USDA lists raw and frozen durian under one entry with the same values. Durian snacks and desserts differ, so check their labels.
What does durian taste like?
People describe a rich, custard-like texture with sweet, caramel-like, fruity or onion notes. Taste varies by variety and ripeness.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Mangosteen: Fruit, Benefits Research, Nutrition and Safety, Jackfruit: USDA Jackfruit Nutrition, Meat Substitute Facts and Allergy, Foods High in Potassium: USDA Table, Daily Value and Who Should Be Careful.