Durian Seasons And Quality

Malaysia durian season has just begin. Some durian stalls have begin bringing in durian.

Did you notice any difference in durian quality between mid year and year end durian, from 2 biggest supplying region of West Malaysia, Johor and Pahang?

Mid Year Durian Quality
Mid year being given drier months while year end being wet months. How does it affect durian quality?  How does terrain affects quality during these 2 periods?

Many are aware the terrain of Johor being more flay while Pahang being hilly but how many are aware how this affects quality of durian?

Unrealised by many, mid year dry months resulted in dry grounds thus durian are receiving too little water.  However, Johor durian is possibly better than Pahang durian mid year due to flat ground being able to retain a little more water than hill slopes.

Year End Durian Quality 
Year end on the other hand, with heavy rainfall , could result in 'drowning' durian (no such terms actually, just couldn't find a better word to describe) but due to the slopes in Pahang, the ground is better drained.

Durian trees are not suitable for wet soil.  Too much water in the ground does more harm than good.  Thus durian trees grown on hill slopes tends to be better than in low grounds (water lodge).

Other Information
Another point unknown to many. Durian needs water too. Mid year is too dry further north. With little rainfall, the durians (hanging on tree) receive insufficient water. Wait! It's not about watering the ground. The fruit itself needs water.

I may be thoroughly wrong here.  You should do your own observations.  This theory about durian needing water too, were learnt from plantation owner/operator, as well as sellers.

Personal Preference 
Thus mid year, I tends to prefer Johor durian while year end Pahang durian appeals more to me.

Prices

Based on observation, mid year durian prices comes down slowly (eg drop gradually over 1 month) while year end durian prices falls rather rapidly (price starts to plunge after about 2 weeks).  

A few possible reasons why year end prices falls faster could be due to the year end festive and holiday period plus the rainy season.  

Many people tends to go on holidays during year end, thus rather keep their monies for their travel, as well as not wanting to fall sick.  Besides, with Christmas and Chinese New Year around the corner, more of our monies are more focus for these festivities.

Rain also has a huge impact on business.  When it rains, people want to stay indoor or go home.

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Last point to note. Mid year season if 2015 was a really good season not had in many years (perhaps 2008. I don't expect year end season to be as good.

Enjoy feasting.  Prices are rather 'soft' and quality isn't that bad.  Time to stock up in the freezer.

Ganja (Ganyao) - Betong Trip Part II

Continue...

We didn't indulge in the 2nd fruit, Ganja after finishing Montong.  Too full!

It smells nice, but my friend 'warned' it won't be as nice as Montong I had earlier.  Chey... I've not even started, but he gave me a show stopper... Never try, never know!  Must try!

We were at the Hot Spring when I decided to tuck into this durian.  Oh... no knife... nevermind, the motorbike key does the trick too.

The color was pale beige.  I wasn't impress.  I was looking forward to a darker shade.  Now, taste wise, it was indeed not as impressive as the Montong I had earlier in the day.  Nonetheless, no regrets.  Have to try it still.  Couldn't finish the fruit, maybe because the taste was just average?

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I tried the Thai local kampung durian too (but can't find the photo).  We saw it at a small make shift stall near the market in town area.  The seller only have 4 durians so we just picked 1 to eat for fun.  It was impressive!  Full bodied taste yet mildly bitter sweet.  What a nice way to end the trip.


P/S : Wait... isn't Ganja (malay word) actually Weed?  Will I get high eating Ganja?

Golden Pillow aka Montong (in Thailand)

As the Malaysia durian season tappers towards the end, I had the chance to try Thai durian when I visited Betong (South Thailand) with a friend in the durian trade (since he has taken a break from the hard work).

We were heading to a Thai Buddhist temple in the rural area when we chanced upon a durian shop, with the supply (lorry) right at its door step.  Excitement gotten me and I shouted "U-TURN U-TURN"!  I've to try it at source isn't it?

We saw, among the pile of durian on the truck, Pamani, Cheng Nee, Ganja (known as Ganyao in Thailand) and Montong.  First instinct, I told my friend I want Ganja as the best Thai durian I had was definitely the Ganja.  

As he rampage through the durians, he picked out a Cheng Nee and handed to me.  Oh my, it smells heavenly!  Next came Ganja, I'm astonished!  Than Montong, it smells just as great!  I'm floating!

All these years, I have only tried a few Thai durians, leaving out Montong as I've not had any nice ones before.  But my friend told me, in Thailand, must try Montong.  But it has to be near ripe (I just rate it, 90% ripeness) when harvested.  "Really meh?  Don't bluf me hor", was my response.  But how can I doubt a durian seller?  

The Montong weighs in excess of 3kg!

Ok let's do a Full Monty!

(it's forgiveable if anyone mistaken this durian as D24.  Afterall, the 'bump', the 2 large seeds, the color, all seems so familar with D24 isn't it?)

The color looks decent, like Malaysia's D24 doesn't it?  How about taste test?  It's subtle, not overwhelming like Malaysia durians.  But it's got such a smooth texture, non too imposing aroma but pleasant to hit a note in the nose and the taste isn't over sweet but just nice, with a hint of bitterness.

My friend only had 2 seeds while I finished the whole fruit!  I eat my words, MONTONG in Thailand is NICE!

P/S : I want to sleep on a Golden Pillow like the Royals.