Do you love bitter tastes?
Sweet foods might be more palatable especially for people with sweet teeth, but if you are getting bored of the usual taste of natural sugars in sweet durians like red prawn and hor lor, why not give bitter durians a try?
We have 5 durians listed below that boast a bold bitter taste that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Mao Shan Wang
Mao Shan Wang (MSW), the king of all durians. Even the name means a Mountain King!
MSW durian is probably one of the most renowned durian species. It’s one of our most highly sought-after products because it has a bold bittersweet taste.
It is one of the most popular durian varieties that are used in ice creams, pastries and even cakes as well as other durian desserts. It is creamy, sticky, custardy and of course bitter. Generally, as the fruit gets riper, it becomes sweeter. However, MSW tastes the best when it’s slightly bitter.
There is nothing like Mao Shan Wang when you taste it for the first time. It’s sure to whet your appetite especially if you are a fan of bitter flavours.
XO Durian
XO durian is known for its alcohol-like taste. It is very tender, creamy and bitter. It is widely used in coffee and delicious foods. XO variety is mostly found in Johor and Pahang and is quite common as well.
This durian got its name from XO liquor. As the name suggests, it is extremely bitter (but still tasty and pleasant) because of the lengthy period of fermentation.
Do note, however, than XO durian is a lot waterier than MSW and other ‘drier’ durians because of the heavy fermentation. So do handle them with care.
S17
S17 is perhaps one of best tasting durians ever. It is no less than a secret recipe to an ultimate deliciousness. It is thick, creamy, sticky and moist but not to an extent of mushiness. It has a very intense bitter and subtle sweet taste, which fills your mouth with wonderful flavours. It has a very strong smell and pungent taste which often gives hints of soya beans.
Sadly, S17 does not get as much love as MSW or XO because it is a relatively rare durian. It is also paler in comparison, but do not be fooled as its packed with tons of bitter and unique flavours.
Black Pearl
Black pearl as the name suggests is a small-sized durian with a husky exterior and pearl-like small seeds. It has a milky texture and bitter taste which is milder than MSW. This durian is great for those who like less intense taste.
Black pearl durian is very rare so do get your hands on it when you can if you have yet to give it a try.
Golden Phoenix
Finally, if you don’t like sweet fruits a lot and you are looking for something with a unique taste, go for Golden Phoenix durian.
It looks slightly pale but has a wonderful flavour. Plus, it offers a very sharp and intense bitter taste with its creamy yellow flesh. Like XO Durians, Golden Phoenix has more of an acquired taste.
Durian is the ultimate king of fruits, there’s no doubt about it. But each durian has its own unique taste, texture and appearance. If you are new to durians and have no idea where to start, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll recommend a species that is sure to satisfy your tastebuds.