Penang Durian
Penang Durians have gained widespread popularity across Malaysia, attracting
visitors from other states and even from Singapore who are willing to make long
journeys to explore the durian plantations in Penang. The majority of these
plantations are situated on the less developed western half of Penang Island,
particularly in the Balik Pulau District (specifically, the South West
District). Consequently, the term "Balik Pulau Durian" has emerged as a metonym
to represent excellent Penang durians.
The reputation of Penang's finest durians lies in their place of origin. These
exceptional durians were predominantly cultivated by passionate durian
enthusiasts a few decades ago, and now their children are reaping the literal
fruits of their labor.
Durian cultivators bestow names upon their trees, treating them as cherished
family heirlooms. They possess an intimate knowledge of how each durian will
taste and appear. While many prefer durians with dark yellow to golden-colored
flesh, the taste is often independent of its appearance.
The most exceptional durian trees were planted around thirty to thirty-five
years ago. Although younger trees may bear the same names as their predecessors,
they cannot match the superior quality of the older trees. Hence, when visiting
durian farms, it is essential to seek out those with plentiful, well-maintained,
mature trees.
Growing durian trees demands meticulous care to yield exceptional fruits. Rot
and termite infestations can adversely affect the trees' health, impacting both
the quantity and quality of the durians. To prevent damage to the flesh, most
durian plantations employ netting to catch the falling fruits and prevent them
from hitting the ground.
The people of Penang value durians that are lusciously soft and bursting with
flavor. The flesh must possess a uniform softness; any section that is firmer
than the rest is considered of inferior quality.
In general, durians with thick flesh and small seeds are preferred over those
with thin flesh. A thin membrane encases the fresh, which should easily separate
from the seed without sticking. The taste of a durian can range from sweet to
bittersweet.
True durian connoisseurs can discern the name of a durian solely by its taste.
The pungent "aroma" of fresh durians, which some foreign visitors might find
unpleasantly strong, is precisely what locals yearn for. The aroma is most
potent around the stem of the fruit and gradually diminishes towards the tail
end.
NOTE: Due to its strong aroma, most hotels and public transport operators
wouldn't allow durians to be carried in.
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