Have you came across Red Prawns (Ang Heh)? How about Wang Zhong Wang (King of Kings)? Would you prefer Red Prawns over D13? Would you prefer Wang Zhong Wang over Cat Mountain?
Red Prawns Red Prawns shall I steam you, fry you or just take it raw?
Red Prawns originate from Penang, cultivated since before the mid-1980s. Till today, Red Prawn durian has won several competition as the Champion durian for the year. But it's not red, the flesh is orangy in color, and the taste is better than D13 or D101.
In Singapore, we often see Red Prawns. But is it really Red Prawns? Most likely, it's only a D13, which is not the same, it's like a... lower grade Red Prawns. Taste of Red Prawns is better, stronger, more memorable.
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In recent times (August 2016), a seller whom I trust a bit, told me there are real Penang Red Prawns but it's grown in Johor. So if sellers claimed it's Red Prawns, it is Penang variant, but grown elsewhere, such as Johor. If chances permit, I'll do a write up on it.
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King of Kings, it has to be worthy of it's name. Sometimes, we see it sold alongside with Cat Mountain (Mao San Wang - MSW) at a much higher price. It can cost you 10-40% higher than MSW. So is it a different variety of durian? (Wang Zhong Wang name doesn't just apply to MSW, but also D24 and Sultan durian variants. For this post purpose, I'll just generalized it to MSW)
Actually, it's MSW! So is it a better grade of MSW or is it just MSW? Well, it is the best, of the lot. Not a higher grade. Best of the lot as in, sellers will single out the best of the day's delivery and sell it as Wang Zhong Wang.
Not that they are cheating, they are not! Don't go around saying they cheat or they label the durian wrongly to deceive consumers. They are still honest, these singled out best of the lot. Quite often, they are worthy of the price.
And mind you, let's just say, if they receive delivery of 10 baskets (each basket contains between 20-35 MSW, thus 10 baskets = 200-350 MSW), they may end up only being able to single out 10-20 'Wang Zhong Wang'. So it's just less than 10% of the lot. Or they pay a higher price to plantation for the better grades and single out the best. Either way, it's still, the King of Kings (wang zhong wang), of the lot.
Than why the different name?
Well, do you prefer 'fatty liver' or 'Foie Gras'? A good name stands out and sells better.
The above 2 durians are just among the most common variety with alternate name used. Others includes Black Pearl (which is just Cai Yuen or Tai Yuen), Green Bamboo (which is Tek Kah), etc.
----- edit 12 Dec 2017 -----
This is one of the most common 'durian variant' consumers comes across in Singapore since maybe 2015. REALLY!!????!!??
How did this 'new variant' came about? I am not saying there is no durian variant called Black Gold or Black Thorn, but I am quite doubtful of any shops making such claim they are selling it. To me, anyone making such claims, will immediately be discounted.
A durian seller told me, Singapore consumers 'eats names' than knowing what they are eating in the first place. A fake 'branded durian' will sell over the real name.
These 2 names are a variant in Penang. But I have not come across it in person, so I can't comment on the genuineness of this variant.
Penang's durian does not reach Singapore. Posted somewhere before. Penang itself has a huge durian tourism and consumer, that their durian supplies are not enough to be supplied to Singapore, and given the very long travelling distance and time, I won't likely reach here in as good a shape as Johor or Pahang durians. Penang variants grown in nearer States are possible.
Most Black Gold and Black Thorn are merely MSW.
Black Prawn (Orr Heh) -
A Variant coined by globalcookie aka tankg61, durianlicious.blogspot
A store I visited on 9 Dec 2017, opened a couple of 'blue/black' D13. The seller just assured me, it's solid. Price wise, it was a bit higher than the norm, but I was willing to pay after trying it. The taste was strong and distinctive. So, am I eating 'Black Prawn' (ok I coined this words now) or just better D13? I don't care, it impressed me, so I am willing to pay the asking price.
Choose to believe lies or seek the truths. Your call!
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