Tekka (Some Calls It Green Bamboo)

Tekka

I was first recommended Tekka (TK) durian sometime in the early 2000s.  They rave how good it is.  Honestly, it took several tries before I finally understood what they mean, a good season, good TK, good seller!  Good TK is not to be taken for granted.

The first few times I had it, it taste rather bland, half the fruit was unripe.  Till once, when I had a good one, I'm HOOKED!

Hmm I don't know how the name came about.  Never heard the story, so, no story telling.

Visual

Hmmm not very appealing looking durian.  It looks like a out of shape, not here not there, durian.  The thorns are rough and tough too.... maybe I just term it.... Junk Yard Dog, type of durian??  :-p

It just doesn't look appealing, I don't know how to better describe it.  Even the flesh doesn't look pretty, it's just normal... out of shape!  But if you are a durian lover (else why are you reading this?), you should try this.  Try till you get a good one (but, a good seller is important)!  You will know why I'm so lost here.

Typically
Most are mid size, about 1.5 to 2kg.  There are smaller ones, weighing about 1kg too. 

The durian 'sim' (heart) is typical here (refer to photos below).  Don't be mislead by the thin looking shell (not all are that thin btw).  It is quite hard to open for the untrained hands.  Leave it to the experts.

Texture, Taste, Aroma (Flesh)

It has to be evenly deep/mature yellow (like MSW).  Lighter color doesn't sit well with me, it'll just taste too bland, so why bother eating it...

The texture is grainy, fibery.  It is not smooth like most durians.  But taste wise, very unique character.  Bitter-sweet (7:10) and tasty, with a hint of citrus, yet a good old kampung durian taste.  Hard to describe durian, it's a cult.  Not popular with the average consumer, but durian lovers will swear by it (provided you get good TK).

Choosing

Let your regular durian guy do the choosing.  Not easy to master.  

Hint

Once again, color of flesh is very important.

Value For Money?

A good wholesome TK doesn't contain many seeds as each full-bodied seed (with flesh definitely) are large, each side usually have only 1 or 2 seeds (sometimes 3) and not all 5 full sides.  Thus, each fruit may contain as little as 3 or as much as 6-7 seeds only.

Since it's a cult of a durian, appreciators will be more than willing to pay for such good durians.  I like to relate number of seeds to the total nutrients being distributed to it.  More seeds, lesser nutrients per seed.

Personally, YES!  I will pay for a good TK anytime over any other durian variants.  MSW, stand aside please!

A TK is worth 8.5/10 or even more.