A Good Name Appeals

Names, a catchy name appeals.  Just like the word Durianlicious, which I started this blog with, in May 2012.  This blog has no association nor endorsement to any business or products with similar name.


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.

----- edit -----

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.


----- /edit -----

Wang Zhong Wang, where's your crown?
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 -----

Black Gold, Black Thorn
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! 

You say I lie somemore, I throw durian seeds at yeeeewww

D2 Durian

I must honestly admit, this durian never once appeal to me, as I seems to like it to D4, unworthy of the lost calories.  

But I was given a loser awakening call!  My trusted durian guy, for no reason, picked one and open it for me.  My first comment, "this D2 is worthy meh?" (as if I really know.. HAH!  WRONG!).  I'm a little embarrassed now, having to admit my judgemental negativity, is now defeated (pls do not throw tofu at me).

Visual

This durian is longish shape, sometimes looking a little shaped like an enlarged peanut, or how should the shape be described?  Nvm... not important.  A photo helps provide a better idea doesn't it?

D2 (The Outside)

Typically
This durian isn't very large.  Among the lot I saw on separate occasion, it appears to weigh around 1.2 - 1.5kg. 

Texture, Taste, Aroma (Flesh)

I wasn't expecting much.  Afterall, I had perceived it as sweet and average.  Oh hellish!  

Instead, the flesh was sticky and thick, reasonably good pungent yet not overwhelmingly strong like MSW or bitter like XO.  It's a good blend of bitter sweet (this one i tried) and I'll give it 6/4 (bitter/sweet ratio).

Flesh is orangy in colour, thus the deception that it is sweet.  But hey, I am not saying, the above description is the general taste test ok.  It's just that ONE out of the whole lot, and the durian guy knows my preference, so yes, like he said, even among a basket of sweet durian, you can still find one odd one out (perhaps this is the one?).

Choosing

I can't comment.  I didn't choose, my fav durian guy just picked for me to try. 

Hint

This is my first time trying D2 thus I can't comment on the quality and taste of an average D2.  Sorry...  

Personally

Worth trying.  

I give it a 6 points.


---------- edit : 22 Aug 2016 ----------

Just tried D2 again yesterday.  I had totally forgotten how this durian taste like till I tried it again.  The outter looks, small thorns, mostly 'dirty brownish' looking shell.  The flesh is orangy like described above, yet it's soft and the bitter-sweet taste isn't overwhelming.  It was an easy to like durian.  I like it for the less complex taste, softness of flesh and nice pleasant flavour.  Seeds are small too.

Ganja or Ganyao Durian

The Name
Is it Ganja, or is it Ganyao?

The Malaysian durian sellers calls it Ganja, which is also the local name for marijuana.  Maybe Ganyao sounds like Ganja.  It's just my guess.

Ganyao is the Thai local name for this variant of Thai Durian.

So, if you are in Thailand, remember, it's Ganyao and not Ganja.  But in Singapore, if you are at the durian stall, the durian guys are more familiar with the name Ganja.


The Shape 
Exterior (Shell) wise, it is mostly roundish like a ball (maybe rare deformity may produced odd shape Ganja?? I'm not sure), healthy darker shade of green, with long stem/stalk (but not easy to notice as sellers will cut it shorter).  Some people 'SWEAR' against buying round durians as they said the flesh is thin and lots of seeds inside.  This variety will prove you WRONG!  

The Exterior (stem cut short)

The Taste
This variety impressed me the most among the 5 common Thai durians found in Singapore. A good Ganyao is buttery smooth, creamy and slides down your throat thus sometimes it is also also called "Butter Durian".  I'm not sure if any seller passes this off as Ice Cream Durian, but a good Ganyao has such good texture, like soft serve yogurt ice cream.

The Inside (Buttery and Creamy flesh)

Good ganja is bitter! Good pungent, smell but not overwhelming like strong tasting MSW.  In my own view, good Ganja surpasses durians like D24 and MSW.

Once, I couldn't stop eating despite suffering from throat ulcer (too heaty). But good Ganja is not easy to come by.

Give me a good Ganyao, I will take it over any Malaysia durians I've ever tried.

Opening The Fruit 
Unlike other Thai durian, Ganja is very 'petty' and cannot be bump or knock heavily.  Opening this durian has to be dedicate, using the 'cut' method instead of plunging the heavy durian knife into the shell.  That is because, the flesh is very tender (don't mistaken it as watery) and the durian shell is a little soft and 'flexible', thus the regular opening style will ruin the flesh.

To open this durian, use a knife, cut along the lines, before pushing the knife slightly deeper into the bottom and plying it open a little.  If it doesn't open readily, cut along the line again and repeat the opening method.  Repeat this if it still doesn't open, till you get it open eventually.  Not very difficult, just need to be dedicate.

P/S : This durian was purchased and consumed on 22 Aug 2013.  There were no more than 2 seeds per side.  This whole durian (picture above) has only 8 seeds (out of 5 sides).

------------------------- 02 Sept 2019 ------------------------

I just tried this Ganyao recently and it just brings back good memories even though it wasn't as PERFECT as the one I had in 2011.

Who says Thai durian are not nice?  Wait till you 'thai' some good ones.