The King of Fruits can divide a room, but for those who can savour this beast, knowing how to do so is key. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Thai durian.
The Thai durian is among Thailand’s major tropical fruits export, making us the world’s largest exporter of the fruit crop. Our durian is described as deliciously sweet, nutty, and very complex. Some even compare the taste to caramel or vanilla.
Still, the King of Fruits cannot possibly win over the hearts of those he governs. Many put off durian because of its mushy texture, or the famously pungent smell — a lot of taxis could deny service and many hotels have fines for bringing durian into your room.
So, if you’re already going through the trouble of buying and selecting Thai durians, here’s a guide on how to do so correctly.
A comprehensive guide to Thai durian
Popular Thai durian varieties to try
There are so many varieties of durian. 13 are registered within Thailand’s Plant Protection Bureau system, but there are over 200 varieties in Thailand, each with their own nuances in textures, tastes, sizes, and more. If you’re interested in looking more into each one, or wanting to order from abroad, we recommend Year of the Durian that lists all 243 durian varieties. After all, a frozen durian from the local supermarket simply won’t do.
Monthong
Translated to the “golden pillow,” Monthong is arguably the most popular variety of Thai durian for both locals and tourists alike. It’s quite big in size, coming in around 3-4 kg, and the smell is considered mild compared to others. Many durian products (for example, durian chips) use Monthong.
Kanyao
If you’re looking for a bang, with no concerns on how many bucks, Kanyao is for you. Hailing from Nonthaburi province, the Kanyao variety is the most expensive durian in the world, with an average price of more than THB 10,000. There’s even a record saying one was sold for THB 1.5 million. Kanyao durian is described to be sweet and creamy, with the notable feature being its long stem.
Chanee
Compared to Monthong and Kanyao, Chanee durian is smaller in size, with a stronger smell. So, this variety is often used for desserts. They’re perfect for durian ice cream, and the tender texture is also fitting to consume with sticky rice.
Kradum Thong
Kradum Thong durian requires less maintenance and cultivation time compared to other Thai durian varieties, and is smaller in size, weighing around one kilogram. What people love about this variety is the very sweet taste and soft texture, and the friendlier price.
How to know which durian to buy
Durian is actually available all year round, especially now because of tourism. Nonetheless, Thai durians are a summer fruit, so May until August is considered the best time to buy and enjoy them.
The tapping test is a staple at durian stalls. Sellers use a stick to tap on the durian; a ripe durian sounds hollow as there are gaps of air inside, so it should make a thumping sound as if hitting a drum. If not, the fruit is likely to not be ripe yet.
A ripe durian is also typically different in appearance, with a darker stem and more easily-breakable spikes. Choose durians that feel firm, rather than soft. Circular and oval shapes are considered top-quality, while ones with lopsided shapes can have less meat yet creamier textures.
Other durian products to take try
Durian snacks are also very popular for both locals and international visitors. Many enjoy the taste of durian, but have problems with the texture. Some want to lessen the pungent smell. Or perhaps you just want to curl up on a sofa enjoying a few bites, and a whole durian may not be appropriate for that.
Fried durian chips are always a treat, made by deep-frying sliced durian. It retains the slightly sweet and nutty taste, and is very easy to consume.
Durian paste is made by slow-cooking the fruit with sugar. It’s soft, chewy, and perfect for those who like the durian fragrance.
Thai people also love to turn durian into many sweets, including cakes, syrups, and the like. Watch out for special offers at dessert places during durian season.
Where to buy durians
Local markets are a good place to source durian, with the most popular one being the Or Tor Kor market. A brief walk from MRT Kamphaeng Phet, you’ll find stalls selling whole durians and smaller pieces neatly wrapped in plastic.
During durian season, many fresh markets and even supermarkets will stock Thai durian.
If you find the time in your itinerary to visit provinces outside of Bangkok, have Rayong and Chantaburi on your bucket list. Chantaburi typically has the highest durian yields annually, which allows for a lower price. Rayong’s geography makes it perfect for growing durians. Tourists can find durian farms for sightseeing and durian tasting.
Supatthra Land in Rayong even has all-you-can-eat durian priced at only THB 850 per person.
Other tips for consuming Thai durian
Eating durian together with alcohol is not a good choice
Older Thais believe it is fatal to consume durian with alcohol, and there is some truth to the matter. The sulfur content in durian has the potential to impact how our bodies break down alcohol, which results in prolonged intoxication.
As intoxication lasts longer, it gets easier to over-consume, and harder for you to gauge how much you have or should consume.
Be ready to handle the smell
The majority of public facilities may force you to leave their establishments, because the smell of durian is overwhelming and lingering. A lot of hotels will fine you if you bring in durian, and taxi services may deny service.
Tourists with the purpose to buy durian should arrange private transportation in advance. Otherwise, simply buy from a provider that does international shipping, which is still much more preferable than buying frozen from the supermarket.
[Hero image credit: Jim Teo/Unsplash; featured image credit: Pesce Huang/Unsplash]
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Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
