Let's face it: No other fruit in the world has a worse reputation. Not only is durian ugly looking, it also suffers from permanent body odour. 

Despite the odds stacked up against it, the fruit has held durian lovers captive. They adore everything it's hated for. The more pungent the smell, the better it seems to taste. Its high price hasn't brought down demand either.

Just what is it about durian that sets the lovers and haters apart? Why does it have different names, smells and tastes? Our guide will turn you into a durian pro, helping you identify the different types and tastes the next time you shop for the fruit.

Indulging in a Singaporean passion
Retired trader Thomas Chong and his wife Rosalyn represent both sides of the husk: He loves it but she hates it. Thomas is such a huge fan of the King of Fruit that he takes day-long organised durian tours to Johor Bahru. In fact, he will eat very little the day before he embarks on these tours to maximise his appetite at those all-you-can-eat durian buffets. In Singapore, he buys D24 durians all year round and seeks out desserts or food items that have even a smidgen of durian.