When people think of durian, they often focus on its fragrant flesh or sometimes its seeds. However, few realize that the durian rind – the seemingly useless spiky shell – can actually be consumed and offers remarkable benefits. In addition to being used in delicious dishes, the durian rind also holds valuable properties in daily life and traditional medicine.
1. Health Benefits of Durian Rind
Modern research has revealed that durian rind contains numerous bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, coumarins, and polysaccharides. These compounds provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid metabolism regulation benefits, as well as support for liver and digestive health. Additionally, durian rind extracts have antibacterial properties, capable of inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa – two common pathogens.
In traditional Eastern medicine, durian rind is not just a by-product of this tropical fruit but is considered a valuable medicinal ingredient. With its bitter taste and warm nature, durian rind is known to aid digestion, invigorate the body, warm the lungs, and reduce excessive sweating. It is particularly effective in treating common ailments such as:
- Treating Indigestion, Bloating, and Diarrhea: Durian rind can help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea. For this remedy, clean the rind, slice it thinly, dry it, and brew it into a tea. In more severe cases, combining durian rind with mangosteen rind enhances its effectiveness. Drinking this concoction twice daily can significantly improve symptoms.
- Kidney Health: Durian rind can be combined with other herbs such as mistletoe, black beans, drynaria, fo-ti root, and mandarin rind to create a kidney-tonic remedy in Eastern medicine. Each ingredient is used in a quantity of 12g, boiled in water, to help eliminate toxins, treat kidney deficiency, and improve blood circulation, keeping the kidneys healthy.
- Cough Relief: With its warm properties, durian rind is effective in nourishing the lungs and treating persistent coughs. Consuming 20g of dried durian rind brewed in water daily can help reduce cough symptoms.
2. Can Durian Rind Be Eaten?
The answer to the question “Can durian rind be eaten?” is yes. The inner part of the rind (not the spiky outer shell) is edible and can be used in a variety of dishes. Some popular recipes using durian rind include:
- Durian Rind Soup with Pork Bones: The white inner flesh of the durian rind is sliced into small pieces and combined with vegetables and pork bones to create a nutritious, mildly sweet soup.
- Crispy Fried Durian Rind: After removing the spiky shell, the inner flesh is cut into pieces, blanched in salted water, and then coated in a batter before being deep-fried to a golden crisp. This dish pairs well with chili sauce for a unique and flavorful snack.
Additionally, durian rind snacks are gaining popularity. The spiky outer layer is removed, leaving the inner flesh, which is then processed to become light and crispy before being dried and seasoned. These snacks are not only tasty but also beneficial for health, as they are rich in fiber and antioxidants, supporting digestive health.
3. Practical Uses of Durian Rind in Daily Life
Durian rind is not only valuable in nutrition and medicine but also finds applications in various areas of life:
Paper and Art Production: Durian rind can be used as a raw material for producing handmade paper and art pieces. Due to its unique structure, durian rind is an eco-friendly, recyclable resource that can be creatively transformed into unique products.
Conclusion
Though often overlooked, durian rind is truly a valuable resource. From delicious dishes and effective medicinal remedies to creative applications in art and everyday life, the rind of this spiky fruit proves its worth. Instead of just enjoying the durian flesh, try exploring and utilizing the rind to unlock its surprising benefits.
Source: vnexpress.net
