Durian season is coming up from June to September 2020 which means time is running out for you to do your research on where you can get the most tantalizing ones.
While it might be as easy as ABC to find durians in Singapore, the quality of the fruit makes a huge difference in the overall experience. After all, since you have been eagerly anticipating the durian season, you would want to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Furthermore, if you intend to find the most delicious durians to stock your inventory so you can produce outstanding durian dishes all year round, you must ensure you get the most succulent ones.
With the much-anticipated durian season rapidly approaching, thousands of durian enthusiasts will be ready to snatch the juiciest fruits off the shelves. To help you stretch your dollar and sink your teeth into the most toothsome fruits, here is a simple but effective 4-step battle plan.
Step 1: Decide on a Durian Species
There are tons of durian species from the well-known Mao Shan Wang to the addictive XO – each with its own unique taste and texture.
Some durians taste sweeter than others while other types of durian have a more bitter and firmer texture.
Having a rough idea of the types of durian tastes and textures you prefer could help you narrow down your search and help you zoom in on suppliers who specialise in a particular durian species.
For instance, if you intend to use the flesh of the durian for desserts like Durian Cake or Durian Pengat, consider how other condiments like sugar and cream will complement the distinct durian flavour. If you want a bolder durian flavour you might opt for Mao Shan Wang over D13.
Step 2: Check Out Suppliers
Thanks to ratings and feedback on platforms like Facebook and Google as well as influencer reviews, it is extremely easy for suppliers to boost their brand awareness in the digital space. One can simply type key phrases like “Durian Singapore” to find a supplier on Google.
And yet the credibility of the supplier is a cause for concern. Since the market is going to be extremely happening during the durian season with countless promotions and advertisements, you would need to rely on your own instincts and unbiased reviews before settling on a supplier.
Check out reviews online but also head to the supplier and enquire if you can try a sample or two. If the supplier permits, taste the fruit yourself and decide whether it is worth the purchase.
Which brings us to our next point…
Step 3: Pay A Visit to the Supplier to See the Stock
Taste is one thing, but you also need to check the dryness and freshness of the fruit. Unfortunately, you probably won’t be able to tell just from pictures, so head to the supplier’s location to have a look.
You would want to avoid durians with husks that have cracks as it signals that the fruit is dry. Instead, you want to go with fruits with crack-free husks and knocking sounds (of the seed hitting the husk) when you shake the durian slightly.
In the new world of work where most people opt to stay home and minimise going out as much as possible, you could also order online. Check the terms & conditions of the online store and look out for their refund or exchange policy to see if you can return your purchases if they do not meet your expectations.
Step 4: Decide How You Want to use the Durian
Are you going to enjoy the durian as it is with your family?
Or do you intend to keep some of it for future use?
Having a rough plan with your purchases would help you make more informed buys. Let the supplier know and he should be able to recommend some solutions.
For instance, if you intend to stock your central kitchen with durian to make durian desserts all year round, you might be better off using vacuum-packed frozen durians rather than fresh ones.