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"In the East Village I noticed a small cafe making waves for its unconventional coffee drinks that are made with espresso and fruit puree. Not as Bitter opened in March and sells specialty lattes inspired by avocado toast and banana splits, but its most unique drink has to be the durian latte: made with chunks of durian (a polarizing fruit known for its distinct smell), simple syrup, coconut milk, heavy cream, and espresso. One of the owners, Linda Wang (who helped open Appas Pizza nearby), says she’s “neutral about durian” but likes it mixed into a latte because creamy fruits such as papaya, banana, or durian balance the bitterness of coffee. The durian latte costs $8.50 before tax and tip due to the high price of durian." - Luke Fortney