We were strolling through the Tagum City Durian Festival in the Philippines when Rob stopped in his tracks. “Is that Red Prawn?” he gasped in disbelief and excitement. He’d spotted his favorite durian from yards away, the first Malaysian variety we’d seen in the Philippines. Originally from Penang, Red Prawn (D175) is the most expensive […]
So You Want to Plant a Durian Tree
Once you realize you’ve got a problem when it comes to durian, the next step is figuring out how to get an unlimited supply of it. That’s right — you want to plant a durian tree of your own. You’re asking yourself: What if I could have a durian tree in my yard? I could eat as […]
How To Open A Frozen Durian
When I first got home from Asia and was invited to several durian parties, I was actually shocked to see my fellow durian-loving Americans saw into a side of a durian like it was a Thanksgiving turkey. I had forgotten that this was how I used to open a durian back in my pre-durian-obsessed days […]
How to Choose a Ripe Durian
Durians can be eaten at various degrees of ripeness. Some people, mostly Thais, actually prefer their durians slightly under ripe, like those who prefer their bananas green. Others, notably the Indonesians, often prefer a durian so ripe it’s developed an alcoholic bite. I like neither. I chase that perfection of flavor when the sweetness and […]
Seven Ways to Open a Durian Without a Knife
We’ve all seen the more boring ways to open a durian; stick a knife in at the top and twist, or if that doesn’t work hack or saw it open. But what do you do when for whatever reason, you don’t have a knife? There’s no need to go hungry, I promise. And you don’t […]