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.