There are many fruits that people can eat on a daily basis, but out of all of them, there can only be one that claims the title of “The King of Fruits.” This title can only be given to the tropical superfood fruit known as the durian. This spiky-shelled fruit with a reputation for having a foul odor but having one of the most delectable tastes makes it incredibly sought after as long as the people buying it can handle the smell and know how to deal with it properly.
At the same time, there are so many different variations of the said fruit that one may get selection paralysis, not knowing which one to get. Let us take a closer look at some of the varieties of durian and see what differences they make in general.
D197 Mao Shan Wang
The Mao Shan Wang is the most consumed variety of durian out there, and for very good reasons. This version of durian has a lighter coloration, is shaped more like an oval, and typically grows and is cultivated in Pahang due to the soil conditions that best provide it with nutrients. The Mao Shan Wang Durian has little to no fiber, contains thick flesh, and the inside is a bright yellow fruit that is bittersweet.
D24 Tan Sri XO Durian
The Tan Sri XO is not a durian for the faint of heart, as this can be described as a durian on steroids that went out on a drinking binge. The durian has a stronger, more pungent durian smell that can put off individuals who are unprepared for this mighty fruit, and when one eats it, it has a very alcoholic aftertaste. This is due to the extended fermentation period that this fruit undergoes inside the flesh of the husk, making its taste highly sought after. Every bite of the durian flesh is fibrous but equally as refreshing nonetheless. The actual fruit is said to be creamy but can be bitter.
D13 Golden Bun Durian
The Golden Bun Durian has a beautiful dirt green coloration with a dark orange pulp and bright orange flesh. This magnificent durian variant originates from Muar, Johor, and is often said to be mistaken for red prawn due to its color and shape. Its taste is said to be sweet, and its scent is more tolerable than other variants, making it a great durian to give to those unfamiliar with this superfood.
D160 Tekka Durian
The Tekka Durian is one of the longer-length variants with a slightly yellow-orange coloration for its thick husk and originates from Tanjung Sepat, Selangor. When you split one open, you may notice that the pulp is a bit smaller than other variants, but just because it has more miniature size, it doesn’t mean that the taste is just as small. The sweet and creamy taste overwhelms and surprises people with its flavor despite its stature.
D200 Black Thorn Durian
Despite the durian having a really cool name that can pass off as a fantasy character, the husk, flesh, and fruit of this durian is not colored black. The real reason it is called as such is because of the remnant of the dry, shriveled flower stamen that resembles a thorn. Naming conventions aside, the Black Thorn Durian has a very custardy texture with a sweet, creamy, yet slightly bitter taste for its flesh and has a tinge of an alcoholic aftertaste. The production of this durian variant takes quite a bit of time, however, making it one of the rarer versions of the “King of Fruits,” but when you are able to get one, you will not regret having this awesome fruit.
D198 Golden Phoenix Durian
The Golden Phoenix Durian is also known as the Jin Feng Durian and is one of the rarest breeds to cultivate because it cannot cross-cultivate. It is among the top five durians sought after in Singapore because of its strong aroma, watery texture, and its bitter and alcoholic aftertaste. The seeds of the Golden Phoenix Durian are very small, making it have more meat as it matures and grows. This variant is very similar to the Mao Shan Wang, albeit it is much smaller.
D175 Red Prawn Durian
If the D13 Golden Bun Durian was often mistaken to be a red prawn, the actual Red Prawn Durian needs some explaining to do. First off, the reason the Red Prawn Durian is even named as such is not because it looks like a prawn but because it has a reddish-orange color that is much different from the yellowish coloration that most recognize and is rounder. Some also find a variation that is more gray in color, resembling a neglected durian. The actual fruit is also sometimes quite a way inside the fruit, so be very careful with handling it. If you can get past the odd naming and its appearance, you will find its taste to be very sweet and buttery with a tinge of floral, alcoholic, and fruity aftertaste.
D1 Gang Hai Durian
The Gang Hai Durian is one of the rarer variants of durians due to them only being available from June to July. These rare durians are said to be the heralds of the durian season. They used to be very popular back in the day before the more popular variations took over and claimed the spotlight. This variation is unlike the others as it is more chewy and fibrous, allowing people to enjoy the taste a bit slower than the rest. It is also a wonderful way to introduce people to eating durians due to its smaller size compared to the rest of the variants.
D78 Coffee Durian
The Coffee Durian is sought after, not like the other variants and its sweet taste. Much like its namesake, those that get this odd variant rather have a bitter taste that is similar to coffee. The riper the durian, the richer the coffee taste becomes. The one drawback is that this durian variant is hardly ever shipped because of how fast this durian ripens, making it taste dry and bland.
Closing Thoughts
The “King of Fruits” certainly earned its moniker, having enough variations to keep people wanting more of its sweet and succulent insides. This superfood is one that you should not pass the opportunity to eat once you are given it as the taste is certainly worth enduring the smell. After all, your nose can adapt as long as you allow your mind to anchor the wonderful taste to the fruit and somehow block the smell.