Penang Durian - D338, Jing Feng Wang (Phoenix King) & Centipede

On Labour Day weekend, I was down in Butterworth on a touring ride for the 3 Country Charity Ride.

One fellow rider friend knows a few locals there and touch base with them.  We asked if there are durians available, and were disappointed, that the season are not here yet, thus supply very limited.  Another rider said there are, but cost RM50/kg.

Nonetheless, I ventured into Penang Island with a rider on Monday morning (2 May 2016) and during our ride through Balik Pulau, we chanced upon a make shift stall with very limited durians.  We pulled over just to check out what he has and tried a few.

As time were limited (had to return to hotel before 1130am so I can checkout and return to Singapore), I didn't get to take sufficient photos, nor observe much about the durians.  The observations were very trivial as below.  

In addition, given that season just started, quality of durian shouldn't be that impressive.  Besides, the hot and dry spell is supposed to have some daunting effect.


A little background of Penang Durian Supply
Traditionally, Penang may have a lot of durians but oddly, the supply is usually barely able to meet the local demand, thus only little Penang's durian made it out to as far as KL.  I seriously doubt it reaches Singapore.  Besides, the 12 hours long drive (trucking) would mean most durians will be over ripe by the time it arrives in Singapore (and defintely wet interior, with visible condensation). 


D338 

This durian is longish shape, and I couldn't remember any distinctive features of the thorns nor exterior.

The inside, there is this thin 'sim' (durian heart) at the lower half.  The inside of the shell is cleanly white and the husk is thick as evident from the photos.

Flesh is orangey in color.  I would think the durian would taste 'kam kam' but it didn't.  It taste a little like the kampung durian kind of flavour with the bitter sweet taste.  Flavour is not overwhelming.

Overall I would grade this durian as 5-6/10

Centipede (Ya Kang)

The story goes as, there were centipedes found beneath the original durian tree all the time.  That is how the name came about.

This durian is sweet, with a mild hint of bitterness.  There is a 'kam kam' taste.  The flavour is acceptable.  I remember having tasted Ya Kang years ago (maybe 10 years ago) and the memory of this durian was that it taste better than what I had during this trip.

For this piece of durian I had, rate it 5.5/10.

Jing Feng Wang

I do have rather high expectation since the name is so claimed to be "Jing Feng Wang" (Phoenix King).  The reputed Jing Feng from Johor is very tasty and value for money.  For another durian to claimed the title King, it has to beat the one that doesn't hold the title isn't it?

I was awkfully wrong!!!  I was very very disappointed.  Seriously, who named this durian Jing Feng Wang?  It is not even near the quality of Johor's Jing Feng.  BUT, let me put a clear disclaimer!  This is the start of the season and this year's hot and dry spell, these 2 could have caused the quality to be badly compromised, so my lousy judgemental attitude needs to be corrected.

This particular fruit I had, the texture is very dry and sticky (not dry as in unripe) and it really sticks to the throat.  10 minutes after finishing this fruit, the taste and aroma still lingers in my nose and throat.  So it still does has it's value.  

Rate this particular fruit I had as 6.5/10.

Disclaimer once again.
1.  This season is affected by the hot and dry spell (as reported in papers, and as blog in another post) thus I don't expect much.

2.  Season just started and the durian seller told me the actual drop will only be about 2 weeks later (which is mid May).  Thus since it was very early in the season, I won't expect much of the quality.

However, I must also reiterate, given the above 2 issues, the durians are not that bad.  Penang's durian is reputable to be among the best of the land.