Durian is a  fruit  which is well liked in Southeast Asian countries, but westerners usually do not want to try it because it has a pungent smell that is difficult to describe.    Some people compare the penetrating odor of durian to cheeses like limburger.   Airlines and hotels in Southeast Asia do not allow clientele to enter them with durian in their possession.  Durian has a very thick and thorny husk, which usually is opened with a machete or large knife.  The color of the skin is yellowish green.  Inside there usually are largesections [phuu] that are pale yellow in color and covered with athinmembraneundetectable to the tongue.   At the center of each section is a large,brown seed that isdiscarded. The flesh is like a thick, rich, mildly sweet custard or soft cheese like brie.   The durian is roughly the size of a soccer ball.  The very best durians are, per kilogram, the most expensive of all fruits during a normal harvest year.   It is often eaten with sticky rice and coconut cream or used to flavor ice cream.