The durian fruit is considered an aphrodisiac in Southeast Asian countries where it is found growing. One slogan in Indonesia is "When the durian fruit comes down, the skirts come up! Durian fruit is available in the US in many Asian food stores. One thing you should be aware of: it has an unusual smell and flavor. The flavor is very complex. It has been compared to limburger cheese, rotten socks, old garbage, kerosene, and other nasty smells. But it isn't all bad!

Underneath the funkiness, there is a rich, sweet custard that is really nice. The smell and taste are really amazing, and every time I thought I knew what it tasted like, I would take another bite and it would be different. Pine, Mango, canteloupe, pineapple, crema, they are all ~sorta~ there.

There is a definite musk note in the fruit - far muskier than musk melon or other common foods. Tigers and other jungle animals are said to smell the fruit from long distances and seek it out.

Small amounts (1-2 ounces) that I have eaten on several occasions had no effect, but after developing a taste for the peculiar taste of durian, I can say I felt something at larger doses (4-5 ounces or more).

The rotten aromas probably include some of the copulins. This may have an effect on some people. And the psychological/social considerations should not be ignored - a person willing to let their date feed them durian may be more open to experimenting, or more inclined to want more than just dinner and a movie.

Durians are rich in potassium - ounce for ounce, they have 3 to 4 times more than bananas. That's good if consumed in moderation, but larger portions can cause upset stomach and blood pressure problems (and could be a problem for people with kidney disease). Not usually a problem, but there are a few reports of Asians stuffing themselves on durian and needing emergency treatment.