Durian, truly the King of fruit
I wish you can smell my fingers as I am typing on the keyboard right now. The sweet pungent smelly socks aroma on every keystroke is driving me insane, I have to stop and put those fingers next to my nostril for a good sniff… “Ahh…..” This is the good stuff.
Durian, either you love it or hate it, this prehistoric fruit isn’t called “The King of Fruit” for nothing. It is so notorious that most office buildings and hotels are forbidding durians inside. I am so glad that I am in Malaysia at the right time for the durian season and able to try some of the best ones.
Working in a durian plantation is a risky business, I’m sure no one wants to have one fallen on his head. That also explains why the price for one durian can fetch good price, especially the rare breed, D24 for that extra aromatic yellow flesh for instance. During the durian season, you will be able to find durians almost at every corner on the streets, not in the supermarket. Farmers usually arrived either early in the morning or late afternoon, unload all the durians from the truck, and mount them as high as a small hill to catch passerby, and that’s when the fun begin.
Usually it doesn’t take long to form a big crowd around the durians, picking them up and sniffing on every single one until they found the one they are happy with. Everyone seems to have their own technique how to choose a good one, but here are some simple steps on how to purchase durians.
Clockwise L to R: choose your durians; see and smell it for perfection; haggle for a good price; cut out to see inside is up to expectation
Choose
Don’t get frightened of the big mount of durians, just imagine they are all tasty little cute porcupine. The durians are usually from the farmer’s own plantation, hence they will be from the same batch, more or less taste the same. When choosing a durian, best to go for the medium size. The small ones are usually unripe with whiter flesh and less flavour. The big ones tend to get too big and too old, resulting a dryer flesh and sometimes worms get inside. Also try to get one that is in even, rounder shape, it will be a lot easier to peel than those odd shape ones.
Smell
If you think you have found the one that you like, pick it up. Have a closer look of the skin, make sure there is no worm hole. Feel the skin that is still solid and spiky, a sign of freshness. Then, turn the durian to its back side — and sniff it. Oh yeah… sniff it baby… I have to admit I am no sniffer dog, can’t really sniff out the good ones or the bad ones. But you definitely can smell the scent of the durian if it is a ripe one.
See
“To cut or not to cut?” He will ask you. If yes, he will chop a small triangle shape of skin out to reveal the flesh inside for your approval. If the flesh is nice and yellow, and you say yes, then the deal is sealed. If you are not happy with it, pray the lord and start arguing. Hopefully the seller is nice enough for you to choose another one. By then, the seller probably unhappy with your pickiness and making haggling for a good price will be a lot tougher later.
Haggle
The durians are range from RM3 – RM8 (AUD$1 – $3), according to sizes. There are no strict rules (no measurement/no weighing) on how they should be priced, is all up to the farmers whatever price they want to charge. So never accept the first price offered, and start haggling with the seller. Usually you probably won’t buy just one durian, but possibly few more and share. Hence, is a lot easier to haggle when buy more and round the price up to an even number which they are more likely to accept the offer. For me, the price is already so cheap without haggling comparing to those that I bought in Australia, so not much bargaining needed in the end.
The newspaper is spread on the floor, with cleaver in one hand, it is time to taste the durian. The durian is actually very easy to peel, just use a sharp knife and slit into the segment line (you can tell by following the thorns that point inwards), the durian will then just split open easily by yanking it open with both hands.
Yes, I did grunt when I saw Anthony Bourdain chopped the durian in half!? And eating it with a fork!?Sacrilege! Fingers all in I’ll say, is part of the pleasure eating a durian. Eating durian is truly an experience involves all five senses – the pungent smell, the rich velvety flesh, the vivid yellow flesh, the soft mighty touch, and hear everyone groans on the first bite…. bliss.
Hmm…. let me sniff my fingers one last time…*sigh* how I miss you.
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
LOL! You obviously have a slight fetish for these and the smell. I must admit the smell is horrible but the insides taste quite good. Good to see you made it to Malaysia safely Billy!
.-= Peter G´s last blog ..Mandarins =-.
I have yet to understand why they think it smells bad ;-P It tastes great!
.-= yewenyi´s last blog ..The week gone by – 1 Aug 2009 =-.
Ahhh, its such a shame Australian Quarantine won’t let you bring any back…
Phew.
.-= Peter´s last blog ..Apple iDisk arrives on iPhone =-.
Hmmm durians. I don’t think I have ever seen that many durians in one place in Sydney! I can almost smell them through my monitor…. LOL
.-= Yas´s last blog ..You’re my drug. =-.
love the action shots, and omg durian are so cheap!
i am so jealous. you are giving me serious cravings. king of fruits? oh yeah!
.-= Helen (GrabYourFork)´s last blog ..Faheem Fast Food, Enmore, Sydney =-.
Based on my experiences in Australia, I’m one of those in the hate category. However, based on your photos, I’d be tempted to try one of the best at their peak. If that doesn’t win me over, nothing will
.-= Simon´s last blog ..Masterchef Winner & Daily Telegraph Fail! (Spoiler Alert!) =-.
hmmm…. i grew up not liking durian. odd one in the family.
And yes, my parents will travel over the border to find the d24, eat it there and then drive back to SG.
.-= penny´s last blog ..Mid week brunch at Creperie Le Triskel =-.
Based on my experiences in Australia, I’m one of those in the hate category. However, based on your photos, I’d be tempted to try one of the best at their peak. If that doesn’t win me over, nothing will
.-= Simon´s last blog ..Masterchef Winner & Daily Telegraph Fail! (Spoiler Alert!) =-.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
“tasty little cute porcupine” ? You mentioned Anthony Bourdain and I just watched an episode of No Reservations where he is in Vietnam and is about to eat a woodland creature called ‘squeazel’. Hilariously, it turned out to be a porcupine. I think I’d prefer durian. Looks wonderful, hungry.
.-= lili – pikelet & pie´s last blog ..Penne with parmesan and orange. =-.
love the photos. although i really don’t like durian. i’m not used to the taste even though i’m half malaysian. give me a mango any day!
.-= Simon Food Favourites´s last blog ..Meltdown of Adriano Zumbo Chocolate Mousse Cake: Masterchef Recipe (31 July 2009) =-.
wow..darn i miss durian! can get them in sydney?!! where?
.-= chinesechic´s last blog ..Songs which Remind Me…. =-.
Remember to eat more durians in Penang, go straight to the orchards in Balik Pulau, I can hook you up if you want…
.-= Rasa Malaysia´s last blog ..tofu_bean_sauce4.jpg =-.
Great shots! Wish I’m in M’sia! It’s durian season now. Gotta to try “Mou San Wong/ cat mountain king” in Cantonese. What a name but it taste great!
oh i love! just did my durian recap as well and oh-how-i-miss them
the ones in Australia just aren’t the same. eat lots! have fun! and just in case you’re feeling like getting the smell off your fingers, try the shell washing technique.
miss you!!
.-= shez´s last blog ..durian =-.
… kusai >__< … but I love the old mans haggling pose/stance hee hee
.-= FFichiban´s last blog ..Clipper Cafe – Glebe, Sydney. =-.
Oh man, it sure looks good! I don’t mind the smell when snacking on the occasional durian but can you imagine how/what the durian farmer smells like? He must constantly reek.
.-= Forager´s last blog ..Nonno’s gnocchi with pork and veal sugo =-.
LOL I love your line ” Don’t get frightened of the big mount of durians, just imagine they are all tasty little cute porcupine. ”
So jealous that you got fresh durian so cheap!!
.-= clekitty´s last blog ..Environmental News – 31/07/09 =-.
awww… I love your pics, once again!
Perfect reading for lunchtime, except now I don’t want to go back to work but feel like booking plane ticket instead! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
.-= myriamthi´s last blog ..myriamthi: Just came across @NotQuiteNigella’s interview with Adriano Zumbo in January, before MasterChef frenzy. Great read http://tinyurl.com/d9f8xn =-.
I just can’t get passed the smell! It’s far too pungent for my poor nose.
.-= Syrie´s last blog ..Bacon & Egg Tarts =-.