[dd (OP)]

This one is the hands-down winner !

The world's smelliest, and largest, flower is the Titan arum or "corpse flower" (in latin called Amorphophallus titanum) which has a bloom measuring a metre or more in diameter and, as the name suggests, gives off an 'aroma' like rotting meat which can be smelled up to half a mile away !

The plant is a native of the rainforests of central Sumatra, Indonesia, there are specimens at Kew Gardens in London where the first one flowered in 1889, and one recently flowered in the US, attracting massive crowds :

newbielink:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1369827.stm [nonactive]
 

[Quantumcat]

They have those at the sydney zoo ^_^

[dd (OP)]

Thankfully far enough away that we won't be able to smell it here then !

d

[Ians Daddy]

I saw a national geographic program covering food taboos. There was this fruit that was not allowed into hotels (due to foreign guests) that smelled of carrion. It was in Indonesia. It's a very popular fruit to the locals, but repulses anyone from outside. Could this be the fruit of this plant?

[NakedScientist]

The fruit to which you are referring, Ronnie, is a DURIAN. Known colloquially as the king of the fruits, these large green, spiky smelly objects are actually banned from public transport, including taxis, ferries and buses in Singapore on account of their smell.

Apparently they taste great.

TNS

[cuso4]

TNS, have you tasted it before? I have and I don't think they taste great at all [xx(], however my mom loves it. May be it's one of them food that you either love it or hate it. There's one time my mom bought a load of it and put them in a fridge, I had to hold my breath every time I open the fridge door.

Angel

[nilmot]

I'm allergic to that particular fruit, I eat every other fruit but that one. I can smell it even if it was in the room hours ago, isn't it AG.

Tom

[Ians Daddy]

Durian, that is it, thanks....ick! However, I also learned that on one occasion, the hotel manager explained to a French family that the smell that repulsed them (the durian fruit) was instead...Cheese. They were cool with that. It's all in your perception I guess.

That fruit, as far as I know, isn't here in the US. I've never heard talk of it. I'd be interested in trying it, but will probably have to look for it the next time I travel abroad.

[chris]

You can buy it on the street in Whitechapel, London.

Then again, I suppose that counts as 'abroad' for me too....not many people speak my language down that way...

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[Ians Daddy]

Hahaha. I speak english in Fort Worth, Texas, USA and it almost seems that english is the second language here too. I wonder if Durian can be ordered and shipped. I'll look around.

[Exodus]

quote:Originally posted by chris

You can buy it on the street in Whitechapel, London.

Then again, I suppose that counts as 'abroad' for me too....not many people speak my language down that way...

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

I've seen that, know exactly what your getting at...

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

[ssjh]

quote:Originally posted by Quantumcat

They have those at the sydney zoo ^_^

I love this fruit, it is considered to be the king of fruit and for gourmet dishes.  You either love or hate it, my family is terrified when I bring it home, they usually have to put closepins on their nose to walk near the durian.  I buy it often in the asian markets, they can usually be found in the vietnamese asian markets.  Good luck...great fruit!!!

[Ultima]

Does everybody agree that the smell is revolting? Or is it that some people can get over the smell and like the fruit?

wOw the world spins?

[roberth]

While it's a strong smell, I don't find it revolting. I think the smell is similar to an over ripe mango. Taste is really nice.

[tweener]

A lady I work with, who is from Vietnam, says that it smells good to her, and she really likes the fruit.  Most people in our office think she brings some really strange things for lunch.  I'm waiting to see the reaction if she brings durian.

Personally, I find the smell of oranges revolting.  I'm getting better as time goes along - now I don't run from the room retching when someone peels an orange. [xx(]

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Chemistry4me]

Is there a way to measure smell?