Singaporeans eat more durian per capita than any durian producing nation. That, combined with the high value of the Singapore dollar, is changing the face of the durian industry as durian producers seek to capitulate to Singaporean tastes.
As much as 90% of the durian in Singapore originates in Malaysia, it’s northern neighbor. While Malaysia has two hundred registered durian varieties, only two are regularly sent to Singapore: Mao Shan Wong (aka Musang King) and D24. As more and more farmers in Malaysia eager to cash in on Singapore
favorites convert their trees to Mao Shan Wong and D24, other varieties
are becoming more rare. Recently, a movement initiated by Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.sg and Shann Goh of 717 Trading seeks to educate Singaporeans about the value and pleasure of having many varieties. The future of Malaysian durian diversity depends on the Singaporean durian consumer! You have a responsibility! (So go eat more durian)
Unbeknownst to most, Singapore also has its own durian varieties. In addition to the various wild durian still found today in the last forested regions, this fantastic durian resource notes that Singapore has three of its own registered durian varieties.
- H.C. Tan No.2 is a light green, pear-shaped fruit
with medium length spine and averages 1-2 kg. The aril is thin but
creamy, sweet with some bitterness. The seeds are shrunken and flat. - H. C. Lim has elongated oval fruits, brownish with
medium length spines and weigh between 1-2 kg . The aril is pink, thin
sweet, not fibrous enclosing small seeds. - Lim Keng Meng has globose fruits, weigh between 1-2
kg, brownish with medium length spines. The aril is yellow, medium
thick, creamy and bitter-sweet.
Unfortunately, these fruits can only be found in agriculture parks and research centers and are not for sale.
What about Singapore durians you can actually eat? Here are a few of the most popular varieties found in Singapore markets:
Where we got it: Geylang
Where we got it: 818 Durian, 717 Trading, and Sembawang Durian.
Where we got it: 717 Trading
Where we got it: Sembawang Durian Stall
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| photo from lifebesiderunning.blogspot.com |
Where we got it: We didn’t 🙁
Where we got it: Davao, Phillipines
For more Malaysian durians that can be found in Singapore, check back for the upcoming guide: Malaysian Durian Varieties.
CC says
China market is bigger than Singapore! Don’t always think Singaporean is important
Kieng Ong says
Very comprehensive site! Thanks. We skip a dinner to hunt for durians late in the evening. This could work as love potion, unfortunately science unveiled recently that it fails as aphrodisiac….. ?