The 'Worst Smelling Ingredient' Bobby Flay Refuses To Cook With

Not all ingredients are equal, and some simply smell bad. Popular in Southeast Asia, durian is infamous for its pungent odor — even Bobby Flay refuses to cook with it. "I don't want to cook with durian ever or see it or smell it," Flay shared in a Q&A by Food Network on Instagram. "It's the worst-smelling ingredient in the world. Period. It's awful." Just how bad is it? Depending on who you ask, they might tell you durian smells like rotting meat or even a sewer.

The main culprit behind the unpleasant scent are sulfur compounds, which can be strong even in small doses, but what makes the smell unbearable is how they mix with esters, which give off a fruity scent. Put them together, and you can imagine how off-putting the combination is. When it's ripe, the compounds behind its unpleasant smell become more abundant and the smell shoots up in magnitude, making it even harder to miss.

If you've never encountered durian, you might still be familiar with just how much people are averse to it. Some airlines have banned this fruit in passengers' carry-on luggage to avoid the foul odor permeating the plane. It's so smelly that it's banned in public transportation in some Asian countries, including Singapore. Even some hotels have signs prohibiting the fruit on their premises, and it's not like you can smuggle it into your room — the odor gives your sneaky plans away.

If durian smells so bad, you might be wondering why it's still farmed. Believe it or not, the fruit also has redeeming qualities. On its own, its creamy texture, which reminds some of pudding or custard, is surprising, especially if you go in blind. The taste, though, can be harder to describe, though some folks might tell you it tastes savory and sweet. Grilling is an unexpected way to enjoy it, as seen in some parts of Vietnam. However, it can taste bitter and become even harder to enjoy when it's overly ripe.

You see durian in plenty of desserts in Asia, too. Because of its custard-like texture and depth of flavor, it makes a shake even creamier, affogato even fuller, and cheese-baked treats even more robust. While it's one of the worst fruits for pie fillings, you also see it in tarts. Durian candies also exist in places such as Davao, Philippines, combined with ube, cheese, or coffee flavors; even when the taste of durian is apparent, they're quite pleasant on the taste buds. There are also savory meals that feature durian to add an unexpected twist, including fried rice and pizza — fitting for those with adventurous palates. Whether durian is a delicacy or a weapon of mass destruction is debatable, but they don't call it the "King of Fruit" in Southeast Asia for nothing.