Effects of these weather phenomenon on durians are pronounced. During El Nino, the extreme hot and dry weather caused trees to stop or produce very little flowers. Due to the extreme dry weather, even if there are durians, the quality will be bad. On the other hand, La Nina is very bad for flowering as the rainfall will bring flowers and young durian down with it, thus causing a shortfall of durian.
Anyway...
An weekend getaway to Melaka introduced me to a durian variant that I've never tried before nor heard off. Not too sure if there is really such a durian variant or just some fancy name by the seller. Nonetheless, here's my venture.
As I was in Melaka (Malaysia), I ventured towards Portuguese settlement, as I remember seeing durians sold along the street there. As I turned into the street, I noticed the first shop, thus I pulled over. There were not much durians being sold at the stall, but the are a few variants including a couple of each, Mao Shan Wang, D101, D13, follow by some other durians which are lesser knowns.
The seller recommended me to this variant which he said, Meng Zhong Qing Ren (Dream Lovers). So I curiously asked, what's the taste like?
I choose 2 durians to try, which weigh a total of 3kg. From the lot, these durians are average sized, mainly round and comes with short thorns. The shell color isn't ravishing green but just a shade off.
Round durians usually has more seeds per side, but this durian only have mainly 2 seeds per side, or some sides with only 1 seed. So don't expect too many seeds per durian.
The seed size are quite large or should I say, regular sized.
Flesh wise, it is nicely yellow, winkled and texture are sufficient (not too soft, nor is it too thick). Looks of the flesh itself, it is appealing.
Taste test! It is bitter sweet with a good presence of the taste akin to those kampung durian, not like those distinctly cult like taste of Mao Shan Wang. I like it! Kampung durian taste are more aromatic and flavourful, yet it is not overwhelming. I can't register if it has a hint of this or that.
Overall I would rate this durian 8/10! WORTH IT!
