Durian season is upon us, and for durian lovers, this is a fruit that keeps on giving. There are different types of durian fruit that you may enjoy, from options with a bitter taste to those with a sweet flavor and a creamy texture.
If you are new to durian, you are probably aware of the most common options such as Mao Shan Wang, D24, or XO durian. These durians are also widely used in making durian cakes in Singapore.
However, there are more types of durians out there that will make your taste buds happy. Below are the popular durian types that all durian eaters need to know about.
Most Popular Types Of Durians
1. D24 Durian
This pale yellow durian is also referred to as the "Sultan," and it was the most popular type of durian breed in the 90s - before the Mao Shan Wang durian came into the picture.
It has a bitter taste with a sweet and slight alcoholic aftertaste, making it a fun choice to take to parties.
Its creamy texture and smooth taste are also well-sought among durian connoisseurs, its fibrous taste bringing forward an explosion of aroma.
This is another type of durian that we usually use when making our popular D24 Divine Durian Cake which is made with generous amounts of real D24 durian filling.
2. Mao Shan Wang Durian
The Mao Shan Wang doesn't need much of an introduction as it's one of the most popular durian types in Singapore.
Also referred to as "butter durian," "MSW durian" or "Cat Mountain King," this bitter fruit has just the right tinge of sweetness.
With a rather sticky creamy texture, the fruit has bright yellow flesh that can taste differently depending on how you prepare it or where you bite.
At Emicakes, our Heavenly Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake has become the cornerstone of our durian cake selection.
Our customers adore the luxurious, rich flavor of Mao Shan Wang durian, perfectly layered between tender chiffon cake.
3. XO Durian
Those who like the strong pungent smell of durian and an alcoholic aftertaste stronger than the D24 version could try the XO durian flesh.
XO durian ferments in the shell for a slightly longer time, which is why those consuming this fruit may be a bit drowsy. If you indulge in delicious XO durians, then you may want to leave your car where you parked it.
4. Red Prawn Durian
Red prawn durian got this name because it doesn't have a pale yellow color, like most durian fruits. Instead, it has reddish-orange flesh.
Compared to other breeds, this is a sweet durian with a buttery and fibrous flesh, while leaving its signature bitter aftertaste.
Other Popular Finds During The Durian Season
If you are looking for more durian varieties than the usual popular ones, you should consider these options:
5. Black Pearl Durian
As the name may suggest, black pearl durians are a very rare find. This makes them more expensive compared to other durian types.
They have a bittersweet taste that doesn't overwhelm you too much, and their smooth texture makes them very easy to consume.
6. Golden Phoenix Durian
Golden Phoenix durian is a more bitter fruit compared to other types of durians. It is similar to Mao Shan Wang durian but smaller.
The flesh has a pale yellow color and a watery texture, making it one of the most popular durian breeds for those looking for a strong aroma.
7. Black Thorn Durian
Black Thorn durian has a bright yellow flesh with a custardy texture. The taste is sweet and creamy, with a slight bitterness to it.
This durian delivery may be slow as the fruit is quite rare, but it will be worth it if you can manage to get your hands on it.
8. Black Gold Durian
Black Gold durian is one of the most sought-after types of durians among those who have experience with eating durian.
Like the Golden Phoenix, it has a slightly watery taste, with the bitter-sweetness of Mao Shan Wang durians.
9. Hor Lor Durian
Similar to red prawn durians, Hor Lor durians have ivory-colored flesh with an orange hue, with a very palatable taste. They are very good choices for those who prefer a balanced predominant taste that is not too overwhelming.
10. D17 Durian
The D17 durian has been nicknamed the "coffee durian," and for a good reason. Like other durians, it also has a slight bitterness but that bitterness resembles coffee.
This fruit is rarely shipped as it ripens very fast, losing its bitter taste once it gets dry.
11. D1 Durian
Also known as the "Gang Hai" durian, D1 Durian has a pale yellow color and a mildly sweet and milky taste. The flesh has a slight crunch, and it's a popular choice for those who have never eaten Durian before.
12. D101 Durian
Often referred to as orange durian, the flesh of this fruit is sweet and creamy, its palate being popular among those loving a sweet aftertaste. It's the perfect durian for durian pastry and sweets.
13. MonThong Durian
MonThong durian is often referred to as the Golden pillow of Thailand. It has a mild smell that is sweet and tasty, with a very meaty texture that makes it popular among the durian lovers of Thailand.
14. D13 Durian
D13 durian is very sweet, fragrant, and with a rather sticky texture. Its bright orange flesh makes for quite an aesthetic piece of pastry.
For this reason, it is a very popular durian type for beginners. Since it does not have a very pungent smell, it's a good choice for those who want to enjoy a sweeter fruit without being overwhelmed by bitterness.
15. Tekka Durian
Like the Black Pearl breed, Tekka durian is very rare and highly sought-after. Also known as the "green bamboo durian," it mixes bitter, floral, and sweet aftertaste quite nicely.
Even though it has a pale yellow flesh that looks unattractive, this durian variety still appeals to connoisseurs.
16. Wang Zong Wang
Similar to MSW durians, Wang Zong Wang durian has bitter flesh with a creamy texture. It usually fetches a higher price compared to the Mao Shan Wang MSW, but durian enthusiasts believe it's worth the price.
The Bottom Line
Durian comes with flavors that can satisfy every palate. Whether you want a robust bittersweet taste or a sweeter flavor, there are many durians out there that can make your heart sing.
It might surprise you to know that there are certain health benefits from eating durians.
To find the best durian on the market, you should try multiple varieties and see what appeals to you the most. We hope our article has helped you narrow down the list.
If you are craving some durian cake, check out the best durian cakes in Singapore that you will absolutely love!
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