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The Smell of Durian Explained

Reactions is exploring the science and chemistry of the King of Fruits today. Durian is banned from many public spaces in Southeast Asia due to its powerful odor. This week’s Reactions video explains the unique chemistry behind durian, and catches our co-hosts at PBS Digital Studios reacting to this stinky delicacy as they try it for the first time.
Season 4 Episode 23 Length 05:21 Premiere: 08/15/17

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Specials

Season 4 Episodes

The Universe in a Cup of Coffee
S4 E40 Length 04:39 Premiere Date 09/10/18

The Periodic Table Table
S4 E39 Length 05:39 Premiere Date 12/26/17

The One Where We Put Stuff in Acid
S4 E38 Length 05:13 Premiere Date 12/21/17

Why Do Some People Hate Cilantro?
S4 E37 Length 02:44 Premiere Date 12/12/17

How Does Xanax Work?
S4 E36 Length 04:07 Premiere Date 12/05/17

How Do Hand Sanitizers Work?
S4 E35 Length 03:21 Premiere Date 11/28/17

How Do Hand Sanitizers Work?
S4 E35 Length 03:06 Premiere Date 11/28/17

How Does Glassblowing Work?
S4 E34 Length 03:59 Premiere Date 11/21/17

Your Liver and Kidneys Are Good Enough, Put Down the Detox
S4 E33 Length 05:15 Premiere Date 11/14/17

The Chemistry of Hollywood Fake Blood
S4 E32 Length 04:28 Premiere Date 10/27/17

How Do We Know How Old the Earth Is?
S4 E31 Length 04:27 Premiere Date 10/23/17

How Do We Know How Old the Earth Is?
S4 E31 Length 04:24 Premiere Date 10/23/17

How Does Chemotherapy Treat Breast Cancer?
S4 E30 Length 05:21 Premiere Date 10/17/17

3 Egg-cellently Weird Science Experiments
S4 E29 Length 03:46 Premiere Date 10/10/17

Better Pancakes Through Chemistry
S4 E28 Length 04:38 Premiere Date 09/25/17

The Delicious Chemistry of Sushi
S4 E27 Length 05:43 Premiere Date 09/19/17

What Makes Smartphones Explode?
S4 E26 Length 03:13 Premiere Date 09/12/17

What Makes Rubber Rubbery?
S4 E25 Length 04:26 Premiere Date 09/05/17

What Do Astronauts Do With Pee in Space?
S4 E24 Length 04:08 Premiere Date 08/22/17

The Smell of Durian Explained
S4 E23 Length 05:21 Premiere Date 08/15/17

Why Do Superhydrophobic Materials Never Get Wet?
S4 E22 Length 03:24 Premiere Date 08/07/17

7 Wine Facts & Myths
S4 E21 Length 07:36 Premiere Date 08/01/17

7 Wine Facts & Myths
S4 E21 Length 07:08 Premiere Date 08/01/17

Frying Your Way to Better Chicken
S4 E20 Length 04:55 Premiere Date 07/18/17

Dragon's Blood Could Save Your Life
S4 E19 Length 03:58 Premiere Date 07/11/17

Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?
S4 E18 Length 03:45 Premiere Date 06/29/17

Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?
S4 E18 Length 03:35 Premiere Date 06/29/17

Why is Olive Oil Awesome?
S4 E17 Length 04:34 Premiere Date 06/20/17

How Do Anti-Wrinkle Creams Work?
S4 E16 Length 04:33 Premiere Date 06/13/17

Chemistry Life Hacks: Food Edition
S4 E15 Length 04:55 Premiere Date 06/06/17

Does Peeing on a Jellyfish Sting Make it Stop Hurting?
S4 E14 Length 04:55 Premiere Date 05/23/17

The Leidenfrost Effect
S4 E13 Length 04:01 Premiere Date 05/16/17

How Is Whiskey Made?
S4 E12 Length 04:01 Premiere Date 05/02/17

What Do Electrolytes Actually Do?
S4 E11 Length 02:26 Premiere Date 04/25/17

How Do Worms Turn Garbage into Compost?
S4 E10 Length 04:49 Premiere Date 04/19/17

What is Bicycle Day?
S4 E9 Length 04:32 Premiere Date 04/11/17

How Do We Tell Temperature?
S4 E8 Length 04:49 Premiere Date 03/28/17

What's the Best Way to Cook Pasta?
S4 E7 Length 04:23 Premiere Date 03/21/17

Catalytic Converter Stolen? Here's Why.
S4 E6 Length 05:11 Premiere Date 04/20/21

Vertical Farming
S4 E5 Length 04:26 Premiere Date 02/28/17

Vertical Farming
S4 E5 Length 04:28 Premiere Date 12/15/16

How Does Cooking Affect Nutrients in Veggies?
S4 E4 Length 04:21 Premiere Date 02/21/17

Milk Vs. Dark Chocolate: The Ultimate Showdown
S4 E3 Length 04:11 Premiere Date 02/07/17

What is Your Snot Saying?
S4 E2 Length 02:40 Premiere Date 01/31/17

The Universe in a Cup of Coffee
S4 E1 Length 04:33 Premiere Date 01/24/17

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