In the jungles and backyards of Malaysia and Southern Thailand grows a species of durian that nobody really seems to know about. At least, nobody realizes it’s anything special because on the surface it looks very similar to the durians sold in markets throughout Asia. A little bit different maybe, but nothing to make a […]
Durio Kinabaluensis
On the steep hillsides of the Crocker Mountain Range grows a unique durian species that thrives at high elevations. Although uncultivated and generally neglected by botanists and agronomists, it’s a local favorite for its simple sweet flavor. It’s still one of the least well known of the edible jungle durians, although it is easy to […]
Durio Dulcis Beccari
Everything about Durio dulcis is just a little bit magical. The tree is one of the more rare durians, residing deep in the jungles of Borneo. When in season, the red orbs dot the leafy forest floor like fallen Christmas ornaments, that sensational red leaping out of the green foliage like a natural stop light. […]
Durio Kutejensis Hassk. Becc.
Durio kutejensis is the favorite durian of Brunei. With its pineapple-cream brilliantly orange flesh, it’s no wonder that this is the only wild durian species widely cultivated. It’s fruity aroma is generally considered pleasant, and local durian authorities suggest that this may be the durian most suitable to those unfamiliar with durian or who just […]
Tenom Durian Species at the Agricultural Park and Research Center
December is nearly halfway gone! Not only is the end of the world coming, but the closing of our Year of the Durian. Eleven and a half months down the durian road, we’re winding down our adventures and patching up the missing links in our collection of durians and durians eaten. Over the weekend we […]
Durian Kura Kura Found
Cauliflory is a botanical term that refers to plants that flower and fruit from the trunk, woody structures, and roots rather than from new growth. This seems bizarre, but there are actually quite a number of edible fruits that grow this way. Most of them are just as exotic as the concept seems to indicate, […]
Red Jungle Durian (D. Dulcis) with the Ibans | Kalimantan
Durio dulcis is one of the rarest durian species. With it’s bright red shell, it’s the sweetest of the durians (as suggested by it’s Latin name) but isn’t cultivated and is only found in the highland jungles of interior Borneo, where it is becoming increasingly more scarce due to illegal logging. It’s even listed on […]
Batu Niah Caves and Durian
The search for wild jungle durians is on. So far we’ve found three: durio graveolens, durio oxelyanus, and durio kutejensis. I want more. In fact, I have my heart set on finding all nine edible durian species. Our durian contact in Brunei, Mr. Jumat, thought that we could find a few more of […]
Brunei Durian
Although it looks like a blip on the map of Borneo, Brunei is not as tiny as you might think. At over 2,000 square miles, it doesn’t even make top 15 of the world’s smallest countries. Nevertheless, Rob and I thought it was one country we could miss. It’s surrounded on three sides by Sarawak, […]
Jungle Durians in Sipitang, Sabah
At last, at last, durians are beginning to fall in Borneo. The season, a few weeks later than usual, has started! Sipitang is a small town on the southeastern coast of Sabah, very close to the border of Sarawak and Brunei. Most tourists pass through Sipitang on their way to Long Pasia, a village in […]
Philippines Durio Graveolens
While enjoying our last week of Sri Lanka, Rob and I are gearing up for our venture into Borneo, the island where durian originated. Around 30 species of durian can be found in Borneo, including up to 9 edible species (there is some debate over species differentiation). Our goal is to taste them all. Many […]
