Durian is packed for export at a port in Laem Chabang, Thailand, which is by far the fruit’s biggest exporting country. — Photos: ©2024 The New York Times Company
BEFORE he started a company 15 years ago selling the world’s smelliest fruit, Eric Chan had a well-paying job writing code for satellites and robots. His family and friends were puzzled when he made the career change.
The fruit, durian, has long been a cherished part of local cultures in South-East Asia, where it is grown in abundance. A single durian is typically the size of a rugby ball and can emit an odour so powerful that it is banned from most hotels.
