A Thai scientist has invented an oderless variety of durian, an Asian fruit famous for possessing an odor so nauseating that its banned from many hotels, airlines, and even the Singapore subway. Durian newbs often describe the fruit as smelling like dirty feet, an unwashed locker room, or dead cat, but aficionados swear by the distinct smell and even claim to grow to like it. This is probably akin to Stockholm Syndrome.

Rarely does durian season pass without newspapers somewhere in Southeast Asia reporting a durian death. The fruit, which is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat and sulfurous compounds (thus the smell), is said here to be ‘heady,’ and can therefore be deadly for those with high blood pressure, according to Wilailak Srisura, a nutritionist at the Thai Department of Health.

Fans Sour on Sweeter Version of Asia’s Smelliest Fruit [NYTimes]