Jackfruit vs. Durian: Key Differences + Recipes

Picture this: You’re strolling through the grocery store or browsing the ingredients online, and you land on durian and jackfruit. At first glance, these two fruits look identical. But if you smell or taste them, you might be shocked at how different they actually are.

Should you choose jackfruit vs. durian, and what else is different about these fruits? Let’s take a closer look at their appearance, size, taste, smell, origin, growing conditions and uses to help you decide whether to choose durian vs. jackfruit.

Table of contents

• Appearance and size
• Taste 
• Smell
• Origin and growing conditions
• Uses

Appearance and size

Both jackfruit and durian are large ovals with bumpy exterior textures. At first glance, you may mistake these two fruits for one another. However, there are some differences in the appearance of these summer fruits.

Jackfruit, the largest tree-borne fruit, boasts a green, spiky, bumpy exterior. Its large size is impressive — some jackfruits can reach upward of 80 pounds. The inside is intertwined with fibers, making it tough to break apart.

Durian has a similar spiky texture as jackfruit, but its spikes are surprisingly even sharper — in fact, its thorns can easily cut your hand if you pick it up too quickly. This unique fruit ranges in color from green to brown. Durians are much smaller than jackfruits; most weigh between 2 and 7 pounds. Their interior is pale yellow and white and often divided into five different pieces to eat.

Taste

One of the biggest differences between durian vs. jackfruit is taste. Because of their different flavor profiles, these fruits are used in different dishes.

Jackfruit has a sweet, tropical flavor profile with a blend of mango, banana and even hints of pineapple. Cut up your ripe jackfruit and enjoy a touch of sweetness with every bite. On the other hand, unripe jackfruit maintains a neutral taste and closely resembles a starchy vegetable, like a potato — which is why it’s often used as a meat substitute.

Durian has a complex flavor profile — some folks describe it as nutty, salty or even like a sweet cheese — and a rich and creamy texture. 

Smell

Another key difference between these two fruits is their smell. In fact, their odors couldn’t be more different.

Jackfruit smells sweet, similar to other tropical fruits, including mango, pineapple and banana. While the jackfruit’s smell is inviting, it’s not too overpowering — unlike the smell of durian.

Durian’s smell leaves a lingering, off-putting scent — some folks have even described it as sewage water, rotten onion and unwashed, overly used socks. Because of its bold scent, durian is banned in most public places in Southeast Asia.

Origin and growing conditions

When comparing jackfruit vs. durian, despite being tropical fruits, they come from different places in the world. You can usually find both fruits in most grocery stores.

Jackfruit has deep roots in Indian rainforests. Over time, jackfruit has spread to Southeast Asia, the Philippines and even parts of Africa. Jackfruit has proven to thrive in diverse climates and soils, which has helped its widespread growth. This versatile, sought-after fruit has become a staple in international cuisine.

Durian is native to Southeast Asia with strong roots in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Durian has been called “king of fruits” due to its significant cultural importance in these parts of the world. Durian trees thrive in the hot, humid conditions of tropical climates.

Uses

Jackfruit can be used in sweet or savory dishes and even as a meat substitute due to its texture and taste. Durian is often used for sweeter dishes despite its pungent odor. Not sure how to eat jackfruit or durian? You could build a fruit charcuterie board with both, spice up your fajitas with jackfruit or make your own durian ice cream. Here are a few additional durian and jackfruit recipe ideas.

Jackfruit recipes

• Jackfruit pulled pork 
• Coconut jackfruit curry
• Jackfruit tacos

Durian recipes 

• Durian ice cream 
• Durian pesto pasta
• Durian puree cheesecake

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Now that you know the difference between jackfruit vs. durian, it’s time to get creative with how to use these ingredients. From taco Tuesday to a celebratory cheesecake, the recipe ideas are endless.

If you find yourself in a pinch and need fruit and the rest of your grocery items, including storage for your fruit, quickly, you can place a same-day order with Instacart. Order all your items from wherever you are instead of dealing with the hustle and bustle of the grocery store.

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