The Culture of Durians in Malaysia, the Flower and the Tree

Malaysians consider the Durian to be so much more than the mighty fruit that it is. It is a part of their heritage; a significant symbol of the Malaysian culture. 

Fondly referred to as the ‘King of Fruits’ - this title signifies the pride of a nation - the spiky exterior, unique smell and rich taste are what make it recognizable on a global scale. It is a fruit that sparks conversations and with a ‘love it or hate it’ character, it stands tall in Malaysia’s identity.

One poetic description and the perfect introduction to inviting you, the reader, to immerse yourself in the culture of Durians is:

If Durian didn't smell good, no one would want to taste it. Surely everyone thinks the outside is thorny, let alone the inside. Durian teaches us that to experience the sweetness of life, we must overcome its thorns. - Anon'

The Cultivation of Durian

Tropical Fruit - Global Information System/itfnet.org offers comprehensive overviews of the Durian, explaining that trees are “usually grown from bud-grafts, cleft grafts or approach grafts and in Malaysia, rootstocks are produced from seedlings grown in polybags which are later grafted to meet Malaysian Standard specifications”.

The country’s tropical climate is perfect for this tree growth and flower development which can take up to 6 years before they reach enough maturity to harvest fruit. High humidity levels of 75-80% combined with temperatures of 24 - 30°C and periods of drought or extreme dry weather, helps trigger the initial flowering process.

Their flowers are “strongly fragrant, 50-70mm long and grow in stalked clusters of 1 to 45 individual flowers per cluster and take one month to develop from a bud into an open blossom”.  This can occur twice a year - March/April and September/October - taking between 110-120 days to produce an abundance of fruit for eagerly awaiting consumers.

A Celebration of Durian

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is a school that realizes many sustainability-focused projects on its campus in Ampang, one being a lush eco-garden that hosts alongside other species, a Durian tree. This enables students to learn first-hand about the source of the fruit and how it helps support the environment as well as the care necessary to uphold the health of the tree beyond the harvest season.

Durian Festivals and Food Fairs throughout the country also help celebrate the harvest and connect Durian lovers in a united passion for sharing.

While it is believed that nothing surpasses the pleasure of consuming fresh raw Durian, family and friends also incorporate it into local cuisine to be enjoyed together in celebration of the fruit.

Popular dishes include Tempoyak, Dodol (otherwise known as Lempok) as well as a wide variety of desserts and sweet treats. Rich in energy, vitamins and minerals the Durian supports digestion and heart health but due to its high sugar levels and calories, it is a fruit to consume in moderation.

The King of Durians

There are believed to be over 200 varieties of Durian in Malaysia. The Top 20, according to Durianbb.com are listed here but the most expensive and regarded best-tasting Durian is the Musang King or Mao Shan Wang. It has a distinct star-shaped base with layers of rich and creamy flavors that change naturally from bitter to sweet.

Musang King is considered to be the ultimate variety for the true Durian connoisseur and it is reaching beyond the realms of Malaysia to cause a stir on the international stage.

Tourism Malaysia is capitalising on this awareness to offer a range of Durian Tourism Packages aimed at international tourists visiting their country. Orchards are seemingly becoming tourist attractions as visitors tour Malaysia’s rural areas in search of sampling the best Durians, discovering that Penang is home to what is considered to be the oldest Durian tree in the state, at ‘Friendly Home Durian Farm’  which is becoming its own ‘Durian Hunters’ attraction. 

Tourist companies are also uniting the fruit with local activities businesses to capture a consumer that is intrigued by Malaysian culture and seeking a unique and immersive experience in Durian eating. 

Whatever your feeling about Durians - whether you are a ‘love it or hate it’ character - it cannot be denied that the fruit is a national icon and one that will continue to keep people talking for generations to come.