The fruit Durian (Durio zibethinus) is named after the Malay word ‘Duri’ for ‘Thorn’, referring to the thorny skin, and ‘zibethinus’ obviously refers to its smell. And the most sought-after variety in Malaysia is ‘Musang King’, where ‘Musang’ means ‘Palm civet’. There seems to be some relationship.
Every country in Southeast Asia pretends to have the best-tasting Durians. Therefore, every traveler should be aware of when to talk and when to be quiet on the topic of Durans. There are generally some topics that cannot be discussed without emotion. In Southeast Asian countries, this not only concerns politics and religion but also Durian, Mangoes, and Batik textiles. I have an opinion on this question, but I do not want to offend my friends in other countries.
There is a wide variety of Durian species, but they can be divided into cultivated and non-cultivated ones. All of the cultivated ones have a specific smell, flavor, or texture or have more exotic traits, like when they release their odor after harvesting. Depending on nationality and culture, there are certain preferences.
Non-cultivated (wild) Durian
On the other hand, non-cultivated ones are mainly available within rainforest areas by Orang Asli (a collective term for various tribes of First Nation People in Malaysia). They grossly vary in size, shape, color, and smell—from round orange hedgehogs to light green oblong shapes with bright red, orange, or bright yellow fruit inside. They smell and taste intensely.
Check the ripeness of Durian.
Checking out the ripeness of a Durian requires some experience. Every article I read on the internet recommended shaking the fruit next to the ear and hearing the movement of the fruitlets inside. This is not easy, as the spiky and heavy fruit has to be held in hand. Additionally, hawkers don’t like shaking their fruits around.
It is far easier and more accurate to take a slim wooden hammer with a long handle and a minimal head, hold the Durian at its stalk, and give it a good club. That’s the way the Hawkers are doing it, too. The sound will tell the ripeness of the fruit. If the tone is high, the Durian is still unripe. A dull sound, on the other hand, gives you a ripe fruit. After that, smelling the fruit confirms the ringtone. Over-ripeness will not occur, as such a stage would split open the rind of the Durian.
How to enjoy Durian’s best
And now we are turning to some emotions: For me, Durian is the king of fruits. What can be more relaxing than a Saturday morning, where I walk to a big heap of Durians next to the road? Check out and discuss the ripeness with the people standing around. There is much clubbing and chatter, and in the end, Durian and I, still intact, walk home.
After that, have tea for relaxation on the veranda, and the final act is taking a Kiwi-knife (seasoned Asian travelers will know what it is) and cutting open the durian along the slight depressions in between the fruits inside and taking out these creamy, fruity portions and sucking this vegetarian vanilla custard (with a subtle hint of cinnamon) off the big seeds. Total joy and happiness! After that, there will be the next one and the next. Ultimately, I feel filled up and satisfied and need some time to stare a hole into the air. Wow, this was good.
It is just important not to cool down the fruit, as it has to be enjoyed at the surrounding temperature and somewhere outside with a whiff of the surrounding air. Most importantly, no alcohol should be drunk up to half a day after enjoying Durian, as otherwise, gases develop in the stomach, which smell like carbolic acid.
And Durian has a perfect partner: Mangosteen, the queen of fruits. Both complement each other perfectly. By eating both together, you will be choc-bloc full by the Durian and still have a light and pleasant taste from the Mangosteens enjoyed.
Lessons learned about Durian fruits
- Be open and try to eat a variety of Durian’s. If it is not your taste – just leave it and try Mangosteen instead.
- Learn how to determine the ripeness of Durian yourself
- Don’t buy Durian in a Supermarket. Nearly all of them are still unripe.
- Learn how to cut open Durians
- When eating Durian on the veranda, Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
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