Malaysian Durian: A Journey With A Sweet Destination

Author: Foong Wai Fong

Connoisseurs of durians will find that there is a tinge of bitterness aftertaste in the most sought after quality specie. High-quality Malaysian durians have this character, regardless of the variety, all carry a tinge of bitterness. This is so similar to the lives of those Malaysian durian orchard owners, and hardworking farmers.



The bitterness is buried deep within the flavor, when the fruit “ages” well, after 8-12 hours of natural fermentation, the bitterness developed. Those who do not know the history have no clue to the inter-connections between the history of the industry and the character of the produce. . However, those familiar with the self-reliance stories of Malaysian Chinese durian farmers will resonate with this; I describe this taste as the happiness that comes after enduring hardship, indeed a journey with a sweet ending ( 先苦后甜). As the Chinese saying goes, when the clouds flows away, you finally see the shinny moon  (拨开云雾见明月).