Malaysian Fruits & Delicacies: Durian

Regarded by many people in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", durian is distinctive for its large size, strong aroma (some call it odour >.< ), and formidable thorn-covered husk.

Durian can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the color of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to orange and sometimes even red, depending on the species.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive aroma that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the Durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its aroma has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.

The flesh of during is soft and cheesy. The flesh can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, and it is used to flavor a wide variety of savory and sweet edibles in Malaysian cuisines. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked.

There are hundreds of durian cultivars; many consumers express preferences for specific cultivars, which fetch higher prices in the market. Each cultivars taste can vary a lot, although individual taste may differ but in general the premium Cultivar taste much better than the normal one. So if you have a chance to be in Malaysia, go try out some premium cultivars. I found that in other countries where Durian is not available natively, frozen Durian may be available. If you had tried frozen Durian and think you know how Durian taste, please forget it, it is heaven and earth in terms of the fresh one vs frozen one. Go get a real one :) .

Famous Cultivars of Durian:

Musang King aka Raja Kunyit - The hottest Durian in Malaysia now and probably the most expensive cultivars. Famous for its "Golden" flesh and great taste. Many fake Musang King in the market so you better know how to identify them. Easiest way to identify a genuine Musang King is by looking at the bottom of it hush and look for the "star" shaped pattern.

D24 aka Sultan - Used to be very popular but is now overshadow by Musang King

D175 aka Red Prawn - Popular for it reddish flesh, easy to identify

Ho Lor - medium-sized and long oval shaped of skin. Its solid and yellow flesh gives you a soft and quality taste of sweet and creamy.

XO - Creamy flesh that bring a little bit of Brandy flavor

D600
Amy Yip
Kulit Hijau

If you want more, Bioversity International has published a booklet on "Descriptors for Durian" and you can get a free copy HERE..

Durian Health Benefit

Durian is seasonal fruit that is rich with antioxidant, vitamins and protein content. Durian have no cholesterol. Below are some health benefits of durian:

Durian high antioxidant content help enhancing the skin appearance. It is also high in Vitamin C which is an major factor in collagen generation.
High in Potassium and calcium promotes tooth and gums health
Vitamin B in fruit promote a normal appetite in stomach for better digestion. It also help reduce migraine.
High Manganese help regulate blood sugar levels.
High protein and amino acids help developing muscle and organ function.
Durian minerals content helps rejuvenate desire for sexual.
High fiber in durian fruit can prevent constipation
Help in overcoming depression, insomnia, stress, control inflammatory enzymes.
High Vitamin B9 to promote regeneration of red blood cells and prevent anemia.
Copper in durian can help avoid thyroid.
Vitamin B6 can helping fighting against depression and getting into a better mood.

Durian Delicacies
Some people may not like the smells of Durian nor the looks of Durian and therefore reluctant to try out Durian, which I believe is mainly due to psychology effect where one would start to create negative feeling about it >.< . Well one of the easiest way to get rid of that is definitely by trying out the sweet desserts made from Durian. Lets this "dressed up" Durian defeat your fear :).

Durian is made into desserts like Cendol, Cakes, ice cream, puff, dodol, sweets and can be find quite commonly around Malaysia. Here we list down some of the wonderful and tempting Durian delicacies that will definitely don't want to missed out when your are at Malaysia.

Durian strong aroma, its smooth texture is a wonderful ingredient for stunning desserts. I bet you will get addicted to it just by first taste of it and that will definitely allow someone to overcome the fear of Durian and able to accept eating raw Durian fresh. I personally know tons of people that once hated (it think is more appropriate to describe as feared :P ) Durian but become addicted to Durian once they overcome the fear and tasted Durian. How can someone resist the taste of Durian especially now that it looks so gorgeous and yummy.

Here are a list of the the goodies and where you can find them !! Now go get them

1. Trinity Durian Delight @ Lucky Dessert (發記甜品) Kuala Lumpur
Thick chunks of durian meat coarsely pureed with sago). How can you resist this???!!

2. Trinity Wrapz @ Lucky Dessert (發記甜品) Kuala Lumpur
Thick chunks of durian meat coarsely pureed with sago)

3. Durian Roll @ Lucky Dessert (發記甜品) Kuala Lumpur
Durian Roll. Uses only D24 durians sourced from local supplier (while mangoes are sourced from Philippines), which yields a nice balance of sweetness and durian flavour in each mouthful.

4. Durian Pancake @ Shanghai 10, Sungai Wang Plaza KL
This dessert is served cold and comes in a durian skin wrap and a filling made of fresh durians. Rich, creamy, sinfully delicious.

Restoran Sri Karak, Signature Durian Bombs

5. Durian Bomb @ Restoran Sri Karak PJ
Fresh durian cream is wrapped around a crispy batter which looks similar to yam puffs. The creaminess of the durian was well contrasted with the crunch from the batter.

6. McDurian @ Restoran Sri Karak PJ
A durian pancake made from fresh durian cream and wrapped in an egg pancake. This yummy treat is said to be a top seller among tourist to take home as souvenir.

7. Durian ABC @ Restoran Sri Karak PJ

While the Durian ABC looks like any other ABC out there, it is topped of with a scoop of frozen durian and gula Melaka which gives it an extra boost of taste.

8. Durian Cendol @ Justberrys Dessert House, Sunway Pyramid KL

9. Milky Durian Freeze @ Justberrys Dessert House, Sunway Pyramid KL

10. Durian Cendol @ Jonker street, Melaka

This is one of the most famous Durian Chendol in Malaysia located at one of the most famous tourist street in Melaka. Never miss this when you are in Melaka!!

11. Dodol @ Melaka
A traditional Durian sweets that is commonly available now in Malaysia. Popular brand including Tan Kim Hock @ Melaka

12. Durian Puff @ Jonker Street Melaka
If you love puff, you will love this for sure. Available in many other places across Malaysia and in some shopping mall as well