D13, D101, Red Prawns. Same but different.

I decided to edit this post (22/06/2020) and elaborate it in more details, after seeing so many 'Red Prawns' being sold in Singapore.  Oh yea?  Red Prawns?  Go to the market, buy some prawns and bring it home to steam.... it's red when cooked 😏


I didn't write on these 3 varieties, firstly because I don't fancy these durians most of the time, and secondly, I don't have photos of my own to share.  But after hearing and reading from various opinions, I thought I like to also kaypo and chip in my own 2 cents.

Let's clarify a little.  These 3 varieties are TOTALLY DIFFERENT!  D13 are commonly passed off as Red Prawns (another pass off is "Ang Bak Kia", which is also D13 or the sorts).  To our untrained eyes, we will not likely be able to tell the difference.  Neither do I know how to.  But trust me, D13 cannot be compared with Red Prawns as the latter has better character and taste.

D101 is NOT similar in taste and looks to D13, except that the flesh has similar shade of orange.  None of these 2 has near red flesh, but just creamy orangy color.  I am not sure how they end up referring to these as "Ang Bak" (red flesh).  

Let me dive a little into, D13, D101 and Red Prawns.

D13 
Mostly smaller sized durians, averaging about 1 to 1.3kg, sometimes heavier sometimes light, but that's just a general size.  The color of the shell are usually lighter shade of green compared to D101.  Most D13, seems to be whitish on the shell, which I'm still not too sure, if it's residue from pesticides, or the shells are prone to being stained (but shouldn't it be blacken instead if it's stain [eg algae]?)

Taste wise, D13 is mostly mild, sweet and doesn't leave much impression.  The 'kam kam' taste is there, but just ok.  If you are lucky, a good D13 has that bruised shade and rather winkled, taste strong with the lingering effect on your nose, and bitter.  But that's not common.

D13 is a easy to consume durian for non durian lovers.  First time durian consumer usually are more ok with D13 since it's rather sweet and light flavoured.

The membrane is very easily torn, thus if you packed it in box, it isn't unusual to see the durian fresh not looking as pretty.

D101
The durian size is usually quite large, 2kg or more.  The shape is rather uniform, with the 5 sides being quite pronounced.  Thorns are usually longer, spinny and very sharp (needle like in a sense).  The whole shell is usually darker shade of green.

Unless you get good quality D101, otherwise, most of it has a sour note after taste.  The lousier the durian, the more sour it gets.  Don't get it wrong, it's not durian gone bad, but that's the characteristics of D101.  

This durian is usually quite 'value for money' given that it is has a good yield of flesh and sometimes, small seeds.  

The color of fresh is usually deeper shade or orange, and the texture is usually more softer than usual.  The membrane tears easily too due to the softness of the flesh.

If you are lucky, a good D101 is one darn good durian that I love.  A really good D101 is bitter, and importantly, no sour after taste.  It has good aroma, good citrusy flavour and it definitely has that shoot up the nose effect.

Red Prawns
Most past off durian among the lot.  Most durian stalls in Singapore will claimed they carry Red Prawns, when in reality, it is merely the cheaper and lower quality D13.  But again, because most consumers are unable to tell the difference, and a good name sells, most durian stalls are selling 'Red Prawns'.

Firstly, there are very limited supply of real Red Prawns.  Even though some plantations has some Red Prawns durian trees, it is really not enough that you see so many stalls with heaps of Red Prawns.  Even if you go Penang, you think Red Prawns littered the streets or piled up high at the durian stalls there?

Red Prawns are very good durians.  Seriously, it is so good, MSW is so over rated.

The taste actually kind of hits a note in the head.  The strong character is like good aged wine.  Very fruity, I just can't describe it.

Lastly, since the supply is so low, trust me on this, even if there are real Red Prawns at the stall, the quantity is usually within finger tips.  If I'm a durian stall owner, I probably will single them out and placed them separately from D13, and sell it at a much higher price.  I may even want to placed them in rattan holders and hang them up.

On the random lucky visits to the stall, only when I'm a little familiar with the durian guy, would I get to eat real red prawns.  And on such lucky visits, there are only that few Red Prawns available.  Quite often, the durian seller will reserve it for his preferred customers.




So yes, do note the difference.  It is ok to eat D13, but just don't be so easily taken in that it's Red Prawns.  If you want to see if the seller is honest, ask for D13, and you will see him opening durian from the so called Red Prawns lot.  Nailed it!