Durians– one of the tastiest summertime treats that many Singaporeans enjoy. There may be other, more popular summer fruits that the world enjoys, but for Southeast Asia, there are no other fruits that stir up the imagination quite like the durian. Also known as the “King of Fruits”, this fruit has earned this title for being one of the culinary staples that define many Southeast Asian cuisines and cultures. Its versatility allows it to be served in a myriad of different ways: served raw and fresh right out of a newly-opened durian fruit, as a key ingredient in many savory traditional dishes, or even baked into sweet and scrumptious pastries. Its versatility makes it very popular amongst both locals and tourists alike. Nowadays, it’s found almost everywhere. It even reaches your doorstep through durian delivery here in Singapore!

Part of the versatility of durians is owed to the fact that durian fruits are more diverse than meets the eye. What does this mean? Let’s find out more.

The uniqueness of durians

Before we get into the specifics, let’s learn more about the durian in general. The durian is one of the most recognizable fruits in the world, having a unique shape, smell, and even taste. The durian is a pretty big fruit, oval or round in shape, about a foot in length, half a foot in diameter, and can weigh an impressive seven pounds. Its outward appearance may resemble a jackfruit at first glance because they share the same shape and can be both greenish or brownish in color, but when you take a closer look, they couldn’t be any more different. While a jackfruit has a pebbled surface, a durian is covered with many stout, sharp spikes that are very hard to the touch. This, combined with its tough husk, make it a dangerous fruit to handle with bare hands.

Think it’s unique enough? You haven’t seen anything yet! Its most distinguishing feature by far is its funky odor, which is unmistakable when you first crack open a durian. You’ll know what this means when you pass by a durian stall– the fruit’s unique smell pervades the air and leaves an indelible impression on you. To some, it smells good, and to others, it can be a bit too strong for them to ever overlook it.

The different durian varieties

But did you know that even with these distinguishing features, durian fruits have even more subtle differences that tell them apart?  If you’re a first-timer to tasting durians, don’t pass up the opportunity to taste them here in SEA! Outside of the region, only a select few varieties are available for consumption. But there are tons of delicious varieties grown locally in Southeast Asia, each with slightly different flavor profiles from one another. Let’s take a look at just a few of the many different types of durians that you can taste:

• Mao Shan Wang. The Mao Shan Wang durian type is one of the most popular varieties in all of South East Asia. It’s also regarded as one of the highest-quality durians that you can find on the market. As a result, it can be quite expensive when you go hunting for it in the market. Its flesh is rich and creamy, yellowish-green in hue, and almost seems to melt in your mouth when you eat it. It
• Red Prawns. So-called because of the orange-to-red hue that sets it apart from most other durian types, the red prawn is an interesting variety with a taste that varies depending on the age of the tree that produces it. Younger trees can produce some of the sweetest durians available on the market! It is also a durian type with seeds not as large as other types, which gives it more edible flesh per fruit.
• XO. The XO durian’s flesh is very pale, almost milky in color. It is regarded to be the durian type with the strongest “durian flavor”, with a peculiar taste that is almost alcoholic in its bitterness.
• D24. The D24 is an old favorite of many locals. It has a classic durian taste: lightly sweet with just a hint of the trademark bitterness of the durian. Paired with a creamy texture, it almost sets the “standard” of durians, a perfect gateway for curious people who want to try durians.

Where can I find these specific varieties of durian?

Here in Singapore, there’s a large number of places selling durians. You can find them in markets, grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, and even right at your doorstep if you use a durian delivery service. You’re spoilt for choice if you ever get the itch to try it out! It’s a cultural heritage that the people of Singapore should appreciate more.

What are you waiting for? Do you want to taste all the varieties of flavorful durians? Durian Delivery SG is the best place to start. We’ll drop off your prepackaged, dehusked durians, fresh and high-quality right at your doorstep.

Clare Louise