It’s durian season here in Penang, Malaysia and there are durian stalls selling this thorny fruit every corner you turn.
While a lot of people consider the smell of durian as “stinky” and “repulsive”–so much so that they are banned in hotel rooms in Malaysia!–I love this king of fruits. (For those who enjoy durian, we think of the smell as “aromatic.”) Some of the best durians in Malaysia come from the durian orchards in Balik Pulau, Penang, which is on the less-developed side of the island of Penang.
Growing up, my family–especially when my uncle and his family come to visit us in Penang–would drive all the way up to Balik Pulau, into the durian orchards in search of the freshest and just-drop-off-the-tree durians. At the durian orchards, we would sample various kinds of durian and pick the ones we loved the most to take back with us…
Once we get home, all my family would gather around savoring the durians, and the leftover will then be refrigerated for a “durian rice” dish (durian with steamed glutinous rice drenched in sweetened coconut milk). Eating durian is a family tradition, ones that I often reminisce.
I remember watching “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” (an American travel and food program) where Andrew Zimmern came to a durian orchard in Penang and described the taste of durian as “a rotten onion.” If you have tried them out, do let me know your durian eating experiences. I am very curious to find out what you think!
To learn more about the tropical fruits of Malaysia, please click here.
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I have eaten durians in most of the South East Asian countries. The best available is still in Malaysia. In taste, smell, texture and variety. The best variety now, in my estimation is the Musang King. Price ranged from USD5 - 8 per kg (inclusive of shell). I once tried smuggling some durians into a hotel in Vietnam. I managed to get an elevator without passengers. As the door was closing 2 Caucasians rushed in. When we were alone they detected the foul smell. They started looking for the source of the offensive odor but could not have visual contact. I have the durians well wrapped up.
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Yeah, I recall there’s also signage for “No Durian allowed!” I have only eaten Durian candy which I thought was just okay. I’m not entirely sure I can eat a fresh durian. I’m very sensitive to smell, so much that even the television suggesting the presence of a smell can make me hold my breath. I’m actually curious to find out how there can be much discrepancy between taste and smell, especially since flavor depends on smell!
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Every year I spend at least RM100 just on durians.. that’s like 20-30 biji lol.
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Durian rice, that’s an interesting idea. Personally i have never been adventurous enough to try it. Here in the States, i’ve only seen it frozen, maybe to reduce the smell.
The American Food host…..was that Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods? He did a show in New York City and had featured Durian. It’s an amazing show.
it’s also amazing how a fruit can bring back such memories. Thanks for sharing!!!!!!
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Raspberrycat replied:
They sell frozen durian? I’d like to try that! I live in the middle of the U.S., so I’ve never tried one.
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Back in Malaysia, we used to keep the leftover durians in the fridge. Imagine the smell when you opened it :O
You should be able to find frozen durians in Asian grocery stores in the Midwest. I saw them very often when I lived there.
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Worldwindows - I can’t agree with you more that Malaysia has the best variety of durians. I personally find durians from Thailand to be less desirable in terms of taste, smell, and especially texture. I haven’t tried durians from Indonesian but I heard durian from Sumatera are equally good. By the way, durians from Penang often win the top honors in regional durian competitions.
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Bee, guess what? I just visited my friend’s blog, she posted “jus durian”. She said, she was disappointed with the taste since in Canada, we only can get durian Monthong. The best durian, I’ve ever taste, is durian from Sumatra. I haven’t tried durian from Penang.
Durian is also like grape to make wine. By the way, there is a website about durian that I found http://www.durian.net/ . It’s said also that “Gourmet durian culture will have to be centered on Sumatra and Borneo, just as wine and cheese culture is centered on France.”
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oohhh im salivating now! i love love love durian and cant be choosy. beggar cant be choosy mah. haha. michael cant stand the smell but he’d go with me to find durian whenever i crave for it. ;)
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FAL: Andrew Zimmern hated it but gotta give him props for first trying it in Malaysia and then attempted it again in Chinatown, NYC. But his reaction was bordering on offensive to people who likes it. He can understand why ppl eat all those bizarre foods on his show but he can’t understand why ppl eat durians?!
Anyways, in comparison - Anthony Bourdain loves the durian but he hacked it apart wrongly in that ep when he was in Bali. :)
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I have tested durian when I was living in Singapore. I have to say that I do not like the smell… but when you pass over that the taste of the flesh is pretty nice.
Ciao.
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I’m British, lived for two years in Malaysia, and love all things Malaysian - including durians. I’ve only managed to eat them once since I left Malaysia though - in London’s Chinatown.
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I’ve eaten durian once before, and although it does have a very pungent smell, I thought it tasted great. I’m not sure what type of durian it was though, or what country it was from.
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So sad that the only kinds we can get here are the frozen Monthong. Durians from Thailand are underripe when they are picked and frozen, so they don’t have a chance to really develop. Durians from Malaysia are picked when ripe, which makes them yummier but much harder to transport before going bad. I do hope that Malaysia can develop a durian that has the awesome flavors of the best varieties, yet travels well.
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Bee, you and I must share similar family histories. We love durian too and after eating them fresh, leftovers always was eaten with rice (using hands)–I think it’s very Nyonya style of eating…
I LOVE durian. I haven’t been home in more than 2 years and have no choice but to buy the frozen Thai ones when I have my cravings. It’s so sad. As a matter of fact, I just had some the other day and I’ve been feeding them to my kids so that they won’t become like that tv host who can’t stand it or Nate who can just barely tolerate it…Even if it’s just Thai durian…it’s better than none at all.
Wish my mom could smuggle some for me from Msia when she comes. Hahahahaha…
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Gorgeous picture Bee. I have to admit I can only eat durian in very small quantities as I find it really rich. I love Penang! We use go there for holidays from Thailand. We'd catch the train from Hatjai to Butterworth and stay at the Eastern & Oriental hotel.
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Come upon your blog and what a coincidence - Durian! :) Grew up in Sumatra and spend lots of time in Penang (aunt had durian tree in her backyard), I really have to say that Sumatra ones are a tad better.
My dad would eat durian with plain rice. Or, using ‘days old’ durian in this spicy dish with shrimp - I have never work up the nerve to try it, it’s some kind of traditional dish in West Sumatra.
Great post!!!
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I love durians….and it’s not at all stinky or repulsive in any way. I have seen a food show (can’t recall which) where the host referred to the taste and smell of durian as worse than stinky tofu. While one friend of mine says durian smells worse than old gym socks. I beg to differ on both opinions. Durian is in no way in the same category as stinky tofu or old gym socks. I love me some durian fruit eaten as is or as a shake. Yum!
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In Sumatra, Indonesia, I once ate durian with lemang (sticky rice cooked in bamboo column).
so delicious, so memorable.
Thanks for this post-Beautiful durian photograph!
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I love durian! And in portable snack form, freeze-dried durian is the best! I can’t seem to find it anywhere outside of Thailand or ebay (on which it is severely overpriced). It has excellent texture and next to none of that smell some people find offensive.
Try it out :) (Freeze-dried durian is not the same as durian chips - it is not nearly as greasy).
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Siapa yg ada buat durian “preserved” macam ni?
Tak taulah apa nama!
It’s worth its weight in gold! ;)
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i love durian. deliciousness!
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Durians.. yummy. Care to share some durian cake recipe now?? :P I wonder where I can get good durian cake in Penang. I used to get good ones from Balik Pulau but the lady is too old to produce anymore.
http://crizfood.blogspot.com/
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Durian does have a strong smell and the texture of the fruit (slimy, gooeey) can be repulsive to some too. But I’ve eaten them.. it’s just a matter of getting used to.. I love the durian candy and the durian ice-cream!
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I would love to be able to try durian! But unfortunately it’s not so readily available here in the US. It’s so intriguing though.
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i missed those creamy and bittersweet durians from balik pulau! anyway it’s durian season now and the price is dropping as it goes haha
btw bee, fancy cooking some noodles for this year’s Merdeka Virtual Open House? This year’s theme is Mee and My Malaysia.
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ahh! i love how durians are so much in season this year! and they are selling them at a really low price. 7 durians for RM20? i might make some durian sorbet out of that :D
how much do the durians in penang cost though?
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I love anything durian! Would love to see some durian recipes from you. :)
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Are you in Penanag at the moment?
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Cheers,
Noir
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Oh my goodness! I miss durian so much!!! During durian session I can find them so easy and cheap! but here? they are hard to find:(
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oh my durians are my one big love! the ones you get here in sydney though have all been frozen and it leaves that ‘icy-water’ taste. i’ve been seeing more durian desserts in yum-cha restos though. they’re quite good encased in buttery flaky pastry - i can never stop just at one! :D
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durians….
i used to like it so much when i was a kid….could eat the whole durian by myself.
not anymore. the smell doesn’t bother me that much but it’s just too creamy.
the last time i had it was 10 years ago or something.
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OMG Durian is my favorite fruit. Although it’s fairly expensive to get it here in Westcoast Canada, I always have some money set aside for my frequent durian-craving moments. Mmmm… I’d eat it all day if I could :)
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Love durian. especially durian ice cream.. nyammmmie
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This year the most nice durian I had is “musang king” taste damn nice. :)
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["...Anonymous said...
This year the most nice durian I had is "musang king" taste damn nice. :)
1:14 AM ..."]
May I know where “musang king” could be found? Would you have a picture by any chance? Could you please leave an URL.
You can upload pictures for free at imageshack.us without registering or just about anywhere nowadays!
If you have a picture of “musang king” please kindly show us!
You’re not kidding, are you? :))
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Balik Pulau durian is the best!
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Oh my goodness DURIAN! LOL
I love the taste, oh ok put the terrible smell at a side… but I love durian a lot…1st trial was durian from Sipitang, its a WOWW…I fell in love…LOL
Then durian from Segamat…double WOWW…
I love sambal (durian) tempoyak from Raub, this type of sambal really boost up my appetite…Sambal should be alrite to bring home but I’m not willing to bring the whole fruit inside the house (smell will stay a week or so),will eat at park/playground or at the dusun durian itself…or at the road side next to the stall…
Cheerrzz to all durian lovers!
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Here’s to your tingling taste bud -
—>Durian Tembaga [CLICK]<—
This is a wild species from Sarawak; this one, I came across in Sibu, last week. Probably by now, it’s cultivated.
It has a honey like sweetness, stinks less and which tempts you to a feast.
The flesh has a distinctive copperlike color, hence Durian Tembaga. This picture makes it look more like golden color! Season’s on now and finishes by December end.
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I just tried a durian for the very 1st time, I bought it frozen from a market in Alhambra, CA, USA. To me it taste like a combination of a banana and an orange. A very different.
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I feel very sorry for people could not eat durian or the smells of it.
Durian is delicious like many people say. I can eat them all as I can.
Its smell is very good to me.
Love durian all the times. :)
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hi to all! i’ve discovered a durian orchard in Pengkalan Kempas (off Port Dickson) in Malaysia. It serves the BEST varieties of durian species available in Malaysia. It’s really great to be feasting on the best durian fresh from the farm! The price is reasonable, and the orchard owner’s got a great personality, taking time to explain to us the ways to enjoying the best durian. here at http://mydurianking.blogspot.com will give you more info about this lovely durian orchard. The only set back is the season starts in June.
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Raymond replied:
Hello Ames,
Do you have address of MDK farm? Where exactly in Pengkalan Kempas? Also can i have the owner’s phone or handphone number? i will be staying in Guoman Port Dickson this coming June 2009.
Thanks.
Regards.
Raymond.
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I luv durians, eating frozen durian is still better than none, its like eating ice cream, I read exported thai durians are cultivated so that they can actually further ripen after being picked! hooray !
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