Did You Know That Black Thorn Durian Comes From Malaysia? Here’s Its Origin Story

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While most Malaysians are familiar with the famous Musang King, fewer may realise that another popular premium variety — Black Thorn — is also proudly Malaysian

Also known as D200, the Black Thorn durian first took root in a humble orchard in Kampung Lima Kongsi, Penang nearly 40 years ago.

The story begins in the 1980s, when durian farmer Leow Cheok Kiang grafted a local durian tree with an unknown Thai variety given to him by a friend.

Leow, who started helping his father in the durian trade since eight years old, planted the seed on his father's land, unknowingly giving rise to one of Malaysia's most prized durian varieties.

"I planted the seed, and about four or five years later, the tree produced fruits and flowers.

"The fruit is pale in colour while its taste is sweet and soft, and quite intoxicating," he told the New Straits Times in an interview in 2024.

What sets Black Thorn apart from other durians is its creamy, lighter texture and rich flavour — often described as sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste, and less overpowering than Musang King

Its name comes from its distinctive dark brown tips of the durian's otherwise green spikes. Locally in Penang, it's affectionately known as orh chi (dark thorns) in Hokkien.

Leow said it took almost three decades for his tree to start producing top-quality fruit. But patience paid off.

In 2011, he entered his Black Thorn durian into Penang's Annual Fruit Competition and took second place.

He returned the following two years and won first place both times, earning recognition, and officially registered it as D200 with the Malaysian Agriculture Department in 2014, recognising Leow as the owner of the original black thorn tree.

Today, Black Thorn could be said to rival Musang King in prestige, with demand growing in countries like China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia

Leow's Black Thorn has gone on to win over 10 more awards, including top honours at the 2022 World Durian Championship: Malaysia Edition.

"There were other participants with black thorn durians but because my tree is the oldest, its taste is better," Leow said.

The farmer's original 40-year-old tree also still stands tall in Kampung Lima Kongsi and draws crowds to visit it every year during the durian season.

"Even if it is planted worldwide, the tree's origin and the oldest one is here in Malaysia. You cannot deny this fact," he added.

This year, Leow was honoured with a Datukship for his contributions to the nation's durian industry

On Monday, 28 July, he was awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the title 'Datuk', during the 84th birthday celebration of Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.

Leow currently manages several orchards with his friends in Sungai Baung, Relau (Nibong Tebal), Sungai Rambai (Bukit Mertajam), and Bayan Lepas. Although he grows more than 10 varieties of durian — including Musang King, Red Prawn, and D14 — Black Thorn remains his "crown jewel" and best-seller.

"Earning a Datukship is nice, but I want the durian to be the focus," he told reporters after the conferment.

"It's been a long journey, and I've been blessed with good people around me. I just want everyone to enjoy good durians and be happy," he said.