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Durian season is in full swing, but we've only been scratching the tip of the iceberg
Every now and then, you'll probably come across a charming roadside stall serving up the classic Musang King we all know and love.
But did you know Malaysia's beloved "king of fruits" comes in all kinds of rare and underrated varieties too?
From bitter and creamy to wild and floral, here are six unique durians you're probably missing out on:
1. Rainbow durian
Yes, this durian with bright, colourful flesh actually exists.
According to Speciality Produce, they are native to Indonesia and were created from natural crosses between three distinct durian species: durio zibethinus, durio gravoelens, and durio kutejensis.
Living up to its name, no two rainbow durians have the exact same flesh. Some show more sunset orange colourations, whereas others blend more whites and blush pinks.
Aesthetics aside, Year of the Durian has described its taste as smooth and nutty, with an interesting milk-coffee bitterness.
2. Red-fleshed durian
Your eyes do not deceive you. With a bright, almost blood-red flesh colouration, this durian will shock pretty much anyone who opens its shell.
Hailing from the tropics of Southeast Asia, this fruit even pops open on its own when ripening on trees, according to onszaden.com.
If you're a fan of avocados, you might like the red-flesh durian because it sort of gives off that rich, buttery texture with a hint of sweetness and a cheesy finish.
The best part? Apparently, the fruit's smell is almost non-existent. Finally, durian that can be enjoyed without certain… consequences.
3. Red prawn durian
While not actually red like the previous mention, these come in a football-like shape, with aromatic and creamy flesh on the inside.
According to Speciality Produce, this durian is known by many different names based on location. Udang Merah, Ang Hae, D175, Sinagpore Red Prawn, and more. Identity crisis much?
Balance is the best part of its taste, mixing sweetness, a little bit of bitterness, berry-ness, and paste-like flesh.
If you're craving the authentic red prawn durian, it's best to search for some in Penang, since that's where they're famous.
4. Black thorn durian
Black thorn durians originate from Penang and have quietly stolen the spotlight, earning the top prize at the Penang Durian Festival several years in a row, according to Dury Dury.
If you are ever craving durian but with far more intensity, this is it. Black thorn durians are loved for being far creamier and richer in flavour, not to mention the beautiful deeper orange flesh.
However, there's a good reason why it's considered rare. These durians need a highly-specific climate to grow, as the trees are especially prone to diseases.
5. Ganja durian
We know what you might be thinking. But nope, not that type of ganja. The only thing that's addictive about this fruit is its flavour.
According to Durianed!, the ganja durian stands out with its unusually long stem in Malaysian or Singaporean stalls (although this fruit supposedly originated from Thailand).
Open the shell and you'll find a messy situation — the flesh juts out in all directions. But it's totally worth it once you get a taste of what many describe as a punchy, floral taste, with a buttery texture.
Keep an eye out when hunting for ganja durians though, as you might easily mistake its appearance for a black thorn durian due to their similar long stems.
6. Tupai king durian
Finally, the Tupai King durian takes exclusivity to a whole new level. According to wowberita, its trees can only be found in Penang.
That's why it tends to come with a hefty price tag once it's brought out of the state.
Much like wine, the older the Tupai King tree, the better-tasting the fruit they bear.
As for the taste? Many compare it to the Musang Queen, with that iconic duality of mild sweetness and bitterness all at once.
