Choosing A Durian (Malaysia Durian)

Visual
Well, just find one that looks good, ie without potential rotten spots (brown rotting patch), without insect infestation holes (usually worm holes), etc.

Some will say, look at the stem/stalk as well.  I can agree that those nice fresh looking stem/stalk indicates a fresh durian (Day 1).

Shape
Personally, I prefer odd shape durians.  Odd shape durians may not come with as many sides, and each sides, lesser seeds.

I like to describe the quantity as to having the number of childrens.  If you can provide the best upbringing to 2 childrens, you end up only being able to provide half the quality if you have double of that.

More seeds may result in thinner flesh, less tasty flesh, or even less thick (maybe even, watery) flesh.

Smell
AVOID WHITE SPOTS!  Wow, why am I sounding loud here?

White spots are potential residues of pesticides.  You don't want to sniff in pesticides and expose yourself to risk of health problems.

Do not take strong sniff either.  Malaysia durians falls onto the ground when ripe.  A lot of dust or soil dust are on the shells and you do not want to inhale that either.


If the durian smells decently pungent, that's the one!  If it smells too strong, it may be over riped.  If there is no smell, well, it could still be ripe, but taste wise may not be as pleasing.

Knock
Durian sellers used the side of their knife to knock.  (Any durian home?)

Ok, what are they hearing?  The density of sound indicates the ripeness.  A hollow sound indicates ripe durian while a harder sound indicates unripe or 'not as ripe' durian.

You can also knock using your finger nails.  Durian sellers won't allow you to touch their knifes.  Never try touching it, they will get very annoyed.  Don't want to end up being scolded ya.
(i throw my durian at yewwwwww)

Shaking 
Hmmmm I have seen some people shaking the durian as if they are going into a trance.  Goodness!  What are they up to?  Don't be seen doing that, it makes it obvious this guy doesn't know how to choose but just want to 'drama mama' (pretend he is good).

A light shake or turning the durian to opposite sides is suffice.  You will be able to feel a 'tard'.  This indicates that the fruit is ripe (we can tell that from smell and knock without shaking), but most importantly, you can also tell that the durian flesh is not sticking to the shell.

So... trance??  Definitely not going to feel anything.  Why?  The flesh will be smashed to the shell, how to feel the 'tard'?  Remember, don't be seen shaking vigorously.  I seldom want to shake.
(the only place I love shaking is in bed)

---------Why This Choosing, Mentioned Malaysia Durian?---------
Malaysia durians and Thailand durians are different.  The same choosing method won't apply as much.  Thai  durian is another skill set, which is more complex (I have no knowledge, thus won't go into this).