A Taste of the King

Durian, introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century, is often referred to as the “king of fruits”.

^{• 50mm • f/2 • 1/500 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & EF50/1.8 •}

For those who find the distinct aroma and flavour of durian too powerful, vanilla ice cream can be a good chaser.

^{• 50mm • f/2 • 1/80 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & EF50/1.8 •}

Late night dessert in Havelock Town, Colombo. January 2024.

^{• 20mm • f/4 • 1/40 • ISO800 • Canon R6 & RF14-35/4L •}

Sour Sweet

One of my favourite fruit, soursop (Annona muricata), known locally as anodha or katu atha, is native to tropical parts of the Americas, but is widely cultivated in Indonesia, from where it was probably introduced to Sri Lanka by the Dutch. The name soursop is a derivative of the Dutch zuurzak, and has nothing to do with the fruit’s flavour, which is comparable to pineapple and mangosteen, but with a texture more like durian. It’s impossible to eat a good soursop without juice running down one’s chin, so the fruit also makes an excellent drink. Colombo, June 2021.

The Last Sweets of Summer

Fresh strawberries from the garden. Simmern, Germany. August 2016.