Things to avoid eating with durian

Photo taken from Google

There are some food and drinks are not suitable to consume with durian at the same time, or else it may cause fall ill, food poisoning or even death. Thus, durian lovers should beware of the food that should be prevented while eating durian. This is to make sure you consume durian safely and avoid hazards to health.

Things you should never consume with durian

1. Alcohol

Photo by Brian Wu

Some people might suffer from heartburn after consuming durian because of the relatively high content of fiber and carbohydrate. The situation can then be worsen by ingesting alcohol. Drinks that contain high alcoholic content have a radical warming effect. Hence, if alcohol is taken with durian, which is also warm in nature, it can disrupt the body's natural yin-yang balance. Thus, it can cause serious health risks such as cardiovascular disease or even fatal consequences.  If diabetic patients take alcohol and durian at the same time, it will cause blood vascular obstruction, serious blood vessels issues, and heart stroke or even cause death.

2. Crab

Photo taken from Former Chef

Crabs are are considered to be extremely ‘cooling’ food while durians are classified as heaty food. However, taking both food at the same time will cause your digestive system unsettled and thus it may cause your stomach to be discomfort.

3. Milk

Photo taken from Samui Times

Taking durian with milk can be said to be quite dangerous. Durian is known to inhibit the decomposition of caffeine in the body. Drinking milk after consuming durian will lead to stomach discomfort. If drinking too much milk after eating durian can cause high blood pressure, food poisoning, and caffeine poisoning. However, in rare cases, it can cause lethal to human such as sudden cardiac death.

4. Eggplant

Photo taken from Organic Facts

Durians and egg plants are considered as ‘heaty’ food. Hence, if both food are taken together, they will cause your body to heat up and thus make you fall ill.

5. Beef and mutton

Photo taken from Google

Beef, mutton and durian are belong to ‘heaty’ food category. Hence, eating mutton and beef with durian will increase the heatiness of your body, which may cause you to fall ill.

Ways to get rid of durian breath

Photo taken from Google

Durian is a tropical fruit that is popular with its distinctive odor. It is a stinky fruit that can cause bad breath after consuming it. However, durian is still loved by many people although it has an unique odor and also may cause bad breath after eating it. Unfortunately, not everyone likes and could accept the smell and bad breath of durian. Thus, the aroma of durian that left in your mouth and your hand might be disturbing others, especially the durian haters. With the scent is difficult to remove, does not mean that you can ignore it after consuming durian. It would be better if you are able to get rid of the smell and bad breath as to respect others.

Tips to eliminate durian breath

1. Gargle with mouthwash and lemon water

Photo taken from Google

To remove durian breath, all you need is use the mouthwash and lemon water concurrently. First, you have to gargle your mouth with mouthwash. Then followed by gargling your mouth with lemon water. Alternate this three times and then the bad breath will be dissipated. The mouthwash that you use must contain the ingredient of alcohol as it can kill mouth bacteria, which can help to remove bad breath. Mouthwash will provide a nice and minty fresh breath, while lemon water will create an acidic environment where the bad bacteria that causes the stinky mouth will be eliminated.

2. Eating fruits that are rich in fiber

Photo by Sarah Syakira

Fruits like apples and pears can help the mouth to produce saliva while chewing them. It is aid in cleansing the mouth to remove the stinky odors when the saliva is combined with the fiber.

3. Drink green tea

Photo taken from Google

Green tea can help to get rid of bad breath caused from all sorts of food, including durian. Besides, it can speed up your metabolism, which is aid in a better digestion.

4. Drink coconut water and take a breath mint

Photo taken from Google

Coconut water will help to relieve the heatiness in your body from consuming durian. It also can reduce that horrible stench when you accidentally let loose a burp. Furthermore, take a breath mint thereafter as to make your breath smell better.

5. Take yogurt or foods that contain probiotics

Photo taken from Google

Foods that contain probiotics such as yogurt and enzyme drinks like Yakult or Vitagen can get rid of durian breath by breaking down the food sufficiently and fermenting in the stomach. However, do not not consume too much as it is also known to have a laxative effect.

Where to eat durian in Penang

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Places To Eat Durian All Year in Penang

1. Ah Teik Durian Stall

Photo taken from Year of the Durian

Ah Teik is the name of the owner.

The stall was established by Ah Teik’s grandfather fifty years ago, with a simple cart on wheels on the corner of Jalan Macalister and Lorong Susu. Ah Teik later became the successor. He has been selling durian at there for at least thirty years. He is  probably the most well-known durian seller in Penang.

The cart has  been expanded to multiple carts now, but they are all still on the wheels.

Photo taken from Google

Location:  The stall is located on the corner of Lorong Susu and Macalister. The stall is next to the Sun Yat Sen Building.

Address: Lorong Susu, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Contact: +6012-438-3881

Email: ahteikdurianstall@gmail.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Ah-Teik-Durian-Stall-429062837114042/

2. Bao Sheng Durian Farm

Photo by Opalyn Mok

Bao sheng durian farm is a place that enable you to try many penang famous durian varieties and freshly drop organic durians.

It was established in 1959 after Chang Fatt Hin discovered grafting. Twenty years ago, his son, Chang Teik Seng, commonly known as Durian Seng, switched this 6.7-acre durian farm to pesticide-free organic farming to produce healthy and high-quality durian.

It is located at the hill side with the unlimited supply of spring mountain water. The location is facing west, so you may enjoy the epic sunset in the evening at around 7pm.

Photo taken from Bao Sheng Durian Farm Website

Address: 150 Mukim 2, Sungai Pinang, 11010 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia

Contact: +6012-411 0600

Email: bsfarm@durian.com.my

Website: https://www.durian.com.my

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Bao-Sheng-Durian-Farm-105926146165576/

3. TNG Siang Hock Trading

Photo taken from TNG SIANG HOCK Facebook

This shop sells a variety of local durians, which are very high quality and very tasty, such as such as D2, D14, D18, D24, XO, D100, D101, 604, Jiu Ji, Musang King, Black Thorn, Sultan King, and Super King. The store is famed for its “eat-all-you-can” durian buffet although this deal is not applicable during low season. You can still eat-all-you-can anytime of the year, but you have to pay by the kilo when the stocks are low.

Photo taken from TNG SIANG HOCK Facebook

Location: It is located across the street from Prangin Mall. If you are on Chulia Street, merely walk down to Jalan Carnarvon and then turn left.

Address: 74, Jln Dr Lim Chwee Leong, 10100, George Town, Malaysia

Contact: 04-263 2119

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TNG-SIANG-HOCK-732448296798319/

How to choose a good durian

Photo by Jo Upcraft

During the durian season, the air is filled with a heavy odorous presence. It can be seen that the streets are lined with hastily composed pyramidal piles and altars for the King of fruits, durian.

However, durian lovers are confronted again by the same eternal question of how to choose a good durian. It is difficult for buyers to select a good durian when they are buying as most of them do not know how to determine the quality of the durian whether it is good or not. 

Thus, majority of buyers entrusted to the seller when they are purchasing durian. Yet, not every sellers are honest as most of the sellers will not reveal their trade secrets. Hence, buyers should learn some tips on choosing a good durian.

Simple tips of choosing a good durian

1. Sniff

Photo taken from Year of the Durian

When choosing a durian, take it near to your nose, which is about an inch from your nose and smell it. If it does not smell anymore, the taste will be very bland. If it smells too strong, which means that it is probably too ripe. If its smell is neither too strong, nor no smell, then most likely the durian is sweet and ripe. 

2. Shake and Listen

Photo taken from wikiHow

After sniffing the fragrance of the durian, hold it and shake it gently by your ear. If the durian is silent, it means that the durian is probably overripe. If there is a hard knocking sound, then the durian is not ripe enough or not ripe at all. There should be a dull and subtle knock if the durian is in good quality. 

3. Check

Photo taken from wikiHow

Lastly, check the durian whether is there any holes or rot on its shell. The holes on its shell do not mean that the durian is unripe but it has been attacked by parasites or eaten by squirrels. However, it would also mean that the plantation does not use pesticides if the durian is attacked by parasites. The plantation without using any pesticides would be better for our health.

Beware:

Photo by Jocelyn

When choosing durians, buyers have to be conscious of hands stabbed by the durian thorns. Wear gloves or use towels before you hold the durian as to protect your hands from puncture.

Famous Species of Durian in Penang

Photo by Reese

Penang Famous Durian District

Durians in Penang are very famous throughout Malaysia.  Many durian lovers from other states or even from other countries are willing to travel all the way to Penang just to eat durian during the durian season. The production of durian is much less developed in the eastern side of Penang. Majority of the durian plantations or durian orchards are located on the western half of Penang island. Balik Pulau District is the largest district in the south-west of Penang, which is famed for its durians. Thus, the term “Balik Pulau Durians” is known as the best durians in Penang.

List of Penang Famous Durian Species

1. Musang King

Photo taken from The Straits Time Singapore

Other names: Mao Shan Wang, Butter Durian, Rajah Kunyit, Cat Mountain King

Colour: Bright yellow

Description: It has a strong pleasant aroma and a bittersweet taste. The flesh is sticky and in creamy texture.

2. D11

Photo by Goh Lin Lin

Other names: -

Colour: Yellow

Description: It is a light and mild durian. It has creamy flesh with a sweet taste and a subtle smell.

3. D15

Photo taken from Google

Other names: Chap Goh Hor

Colour: Golden yellow

Description: It is an odd shaped durian. The husk of the durian is very asymmetrical. Its taste is sweet and with a slight trace of bitterness. The flesh is quite substantial with small seeds.

4. D163

Photo taken from Trip Advisor

Other names: Hor Lor, Water Gourd Durian

Colour: Yellow

Description: The flesh is very soft, dry, sticky and pasty. Its taste is bitter with some sweet notes. It has a sharp smell to it. It is named after its appearance resembling a 'Hor Lor', which is a pumpkin or water gourd.

5. D175

Photo taken from The Straits Time Singapore

Other names: Ang Heh, Hong Xia, Udang Merah, Red Prawn Durian

Colour: Orange reddish

Description: It has a round-shaped husk. The flesh is very soft and sticky, with a sweet aftertaste. Its flesh is highly aromatic.