D101, Something I never Consider Previously!

D101 Durian - Typically
Previously, this durian's quality is...forgettable!  It is usually sweet, soft in texture, flesh isn't thick, no omph factor, and has a sourish after taste.  It goes well with those who likes sweet durians, and children.  Considered value for money since during peak, prices are much lower than many variants, yet it's a big durian with lots of seeds.

Visual

The durian is usually large, ranging from 2-3kg, very regular shape and usually has 5 sides.  The color of the shell is usually richer and darker shade of green.  The thorns are long and spiky, that I sometimes pity the sellers, as they tends to get prick by D101 thorns often.

Texture, Taste, Aroma (Flesh)

Usually sweet with sourish after taste, orangy in color (which sellers and consumers will relate to as, 'ang bak' in local terms or Red Meat [when it's actually not red]).  The flesh is usually soft and not as 'thick/sticky' on the throat. 

Seeds are often regular full size.

----- Personally -----

D101 was something I rather forgo all these years.  However, the other night, the seller rave that this season's D101 is as good as last year.  So I bought some on Sunday, and true to his words, it left me wanting more.

I asked the seller to choose 2 for me, of different taste (1 sweet, 1 bitter) as much as possible.  Here's what I thought...

Durian 1 - Sweet D101
Weight : 2.1kg 
Sides : 5
Number of Seeds : 15

Taste Test : 
This pick is on the sweeter side, mildly bitter,  6/4.  Flesh is smooth and soft. There is a 'kam kam' taste. Aroma wise, it goes well for those who prefers sweeter durian with a bit flora taste. 

Seed Shape/Size : Mostly flat, with some regular size.  Evident below.

Durian 2 - Bitter D101
Weight : 2.3kg 
Sides : 5
Number of Seeds : 17

Taste Test : 

The one!!! I simply love the bitter yet mildly sweet taste, 8/2.  A bit alcoholic and numbing sensation on the tongue, leaving me questioning myself, is it an XO?  Hard to really describe aroma. Good pungent. Overall, I wondered if it's blended with MSW and XO. Complex... This one got me!!!  

Just to note, flesh is very soft and seemingly wet,thus the bitterness with XO sensation.

Seed Shape/Size : Mostly flat, with a few regular size ones.  

Note :
If you want a nice tasting D101, be prepared for the flesh to be soft, almost falling off the seed.  If you expects a firm flesh D101, the taste tends to be sweet.  So don't expect otherwise.


Conclusion For This Season, Mid 2016

I'm never a supporter for this durian previously, but I'm impressed with the current supply.  This quality doesn't come year after year, thus I would indulge in D101 for now, before turning to other variants later in the season.  

Given the price I paid, pound for pound wise, this durian is worthy.  No regrets!  

I give it 8/10 rating.  Will definitely be back for MORE!  High chance I will stock up some, and probably make D101 ice cream in future.

(There goes my diet... any slimming centers around?)

Don't take my word for it, go try it yourself.  A real durian fanatic will try all types, than stick to limited few durian choices, thereby missing out on a lot of other good quality durians.

Durian Supply And Review - 26 July 2016.

Most recent durian consumption was just last night.  In the last 1+ week, I have been consuming a fair bit of durians, should have about 6 or 7 session in 10 days.  So what's the going?

Not in exact sequence of consumption but some of the durians I had lately includes XO, D13, D101, Kang Hai, Jing Feng, Tai Yuen, Tekka, Mao Shan Wang, just to name those of can recall.  So, what's my experience?

XO isn't my favourite durian as it has mild character but just bitterness. Kang Hai is not my choice either but it's doable. D13 is OK.  That leaves D101, Jing Feng, Tai Yuen, Tekka and Mao Shan Wang.

The most popular durian among Singaporeans is Mao Shan Wang. Hmm it's distinctive in flavor but it's so so so predictable. What's so great about this king? So far I haven't been impressed this season.

Tekka I had last night was great. I would pick a good tekka over a good MSW anytime.  Tekka is grainy as usual, but has a complex taste, coupled with the bitter sweet taste in it.

Tai Yuen is not always that great but I had really nice Tai Yuen too. This variant isn't always available, as in, the supply is short lived. So if you chanced upon it, it's a good durian to have.

Last night Jing Feng has great flavour of flora and nuttiness in it.  Few friends swing by to join me at the stall I went and we swept at least 20 Jing Feng.  It's a really good durian that beats a lot of variant.

More info on both Tai Yuen and Jing Feng have been written in previous post.

Lastly, D101.  I'm not a consumer of this durian but I must say, I am left very impressed with D101 this season. It matches up to last year's stock.

The typical D101 is sweet and has a sourish after taste. Flesh is average and soft, yet pound to pound, the yield isn't that good.  But truth be told, this season D101 is awesome. Barely any sourness, can get a good bitter mildly sweet do fruit too. Texture is quite good and seeds are semi flat. Pound for pound, it's worth it. Evidence of my experience below.

 1 whole D101 durian weighing approximate 2.3kg (this particular piece) in 1 box, total of 17 seeds.

Some small seeds,some semi flat and some usual large seeds.

I'll try post a write up on D101 soon.

--------- update 1 Aug 2016 ---------

Tried Tekka on 1 Aug 2016. It was really good!  Photo evidence below.

It is really good! Good aroma, nice texture, bitter sweet, citrus like, everything I seek in a good Tekka. 

Not many seeds in 1 whole fruit but it is very much worth it. I am not a firm believer of quantity but quality. Rather have a durian with lesser seeds but solid quality than one with lots of seeds but lacks quality.

Good amount of flesh. Refer to above photo on e depth of shell.

---------------- 04/08/2016 ----------------

Irresistible!  Pictures speaks a thousand words they say.

---------------- 5 Aug 2016 ----------------

Different sellers carries different variants but the general range of durians includes, XO, D13, D101, D24, Tekka, Jing Feng, Tai Yuen, Mao Shan Wang, and maybe a few other common variants.  The MSW quality has improved.  I'll still stick to Tekka and sometimes MSW.

Facts or Myth - More on Mixing Durian, A Notch Higher

We heard too much about not mixing durian and how lethal it gets, with people dying.  Let's take this myth a Notch higher.

On 13 July 2016, Dr Roy invited me and a couple of friends for XO durian. That was pretty much the limited variety of durians available.

Upon arriving at his place, inviting us was a bottle of Cordon Bleu and a bag of durians on the ground. What? Are we having durians or XO, or he means XO with durians equals XO durian. Knowing he always has some mischief, we can't take this as a joke.

So... we started with a can of beer, follow by 1 shot of XO. OK that's about nice... than came the durians. Had our fill, and clear it with a second shot of XO.  As he said the next day, all died, except him living to tell and I'm here living past by 2 weeks to write this.

Next day, 14 July, his friend told him, someone he knew drop dead on Essence of Chicken and durian.  OK this isn't funny
 But he actually took it upon himself... OK I think he lived because I met him last night 27/7/2016 for more durians


Last night, after a wholesome lot of durians, he actually washed it down with cola. I think he is still alive right now as I'm writing this, or he isn't?  Nevermind, he said,you only die once.

So what's the myth again?

What next Roy?  Beer with XO with Essence of Chicken with Chinese Herbs (the worm herm) with cola concoction with durian?? You are one crazy durian worm.

I'm not saying it's harmless. Take at your own risk. Not everyone's health can take such combination. Don't try it without your doctor's advise. Roy probably knows his own health best since he is a medical professional.