Discovering the 20 Leading Types of Durian in Malaysia

By now, it is widely known that durian is considered the king of fruits in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. But there’s more to durians than just the Musang King.

But did you know that in Malaysia, there are 20 types of durians with their own specialities?

Join us on a flavourful journey as we unveil to you the top 20 types of durian in Malaysia that have captivated the hearts and palates of the locals.

Types of durian: Malaysia’s Top Picks

In this guide, we will navigate you through all of the 20 durians, with flavours ranging from sweet to delicately complex.

Get ready to meet the all-stars of the Malaysian durian scene, from the famous Musang King to the elusive charm of Black Thorn.

1. D28 Creamy Bun

The D28 Creamy Bun is one of Malaysia’s cherished durian varieties, due to its striking balance of sweet and strong flavours.

Originating from Seremban, this variety stands out for its velvety texture and large seeds. The D28 is named for its rich and creamy consistency that durian lovers seek, hence the name Creamy Bun.

Code: D28

Origin: Seremban, Malaysia

Shape: Round with convex and truncate top and bottom shapes

Spikes: Convex shape

Flesh: Creamy texture with a lemon-yellow colour

Taste: Very sweet with a slight astringent aftertaste

Seed: Large

2. 888 Kampung Durian

The 888 Kampung Durian is a gem among Malaysian durians, a variety that goes back to the traditional and natural ways of durian cultivation.

Adored for its unique flavour, this durian variety is less commonly found in the commercial markets; making it a prized find for durian enthusiasts.

Code: 888

Origin: Native fruit

Shape: Irregular shape

Spikes: Robust and sharp

Flesh: Rich and creamy, ranges from pale yellow to deep orange

Taste: A spectrum of sweet, bitter, and even alcoholic

Seed: Vary in size

3. D2 Dato Nina

The D2 Dato Nina is a hidden gem known for its unique taste and texture. This variety offers a delightful experience for both new tasters and durian lovers.

Code: D2

Origin: Melaka

Shape: Round to oblong

Spikes: Moderately sized

Flesh: Creamy and thick, pale yellow hue

Taste: Sweet with subtle bitterness

Seed: Medium-sized

4. D3 Second Son

The D3 Second Son is easily recognisable by its oval to slightly elongated shape, with sharp green spikes and brown tips.

The flesh of the D3 Second Son is pale yellow to light golden with a sweet taste and subtle nutty undertone and a hint of bitterness, making it a unique, sought-after durian.

Code: D3

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Oval to slightly elongated

Spikes: Sharp green spikes with brown tips

Flesh: Pale yellow to light golden colour

Taste: Sweet and slightly nutty with a hint of bitterness

Seed: Medium-sized

5. D5 Ibrahim

The D5 Ibrahim durian has an oval-to-round shape and is easily identifiable by its stout and sharp green spikes with brown tips.

It has a creamy and pale yellow flesh with a rich and sweet flavour and a slight hint of of bitterness to your tastebuds.

Code: D5

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Oval to round

Spikes: Stout and sharp green spikes with brown tips

Flesh: Creamy and pale yellow

Taste: Rich and sweet flavour with a hint of bitterness

Seed: Medium-sized

6. D6 Samsu

The D6 Samsu has its own distinct characteristics: an oval to oblong shape, and a stout with sharp green spikes and brown tips; making it easily recognisable.

This beloved durian variety has creamy and pale yellow flesh that offers a sweet texture and buttery taste with a subtle touch of bitterness.

Code: D6

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Oval to oblong

Spikes: Stout and sharp, green with brown tips

Flesh: Creamy and pale yellow

Taste: Sweet and buttery, with a subtle bitterness

Seed: Medium-sized

7. D10 Green Head

The D10 Green Head durian is vibrant and alluring. Known for its greenish husk, it stands out in the sea of durians due to its unique oblong shape.

The D10 has a creamy, sweet, and buttery flesh that lingers on the palate. It’s a variety that promises a luxurious durian experience, which makes it one of a kind.

Code: D10

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Oblong with slightly rounded apex

Spikes: Dense and short, green base and brown tips

Flesh: Pale yellow, thick, and creamy custard-like texture

Taste: Rich and sweet with a hint of bitterness

Seed: Medium-sized

8. D13 Golden Bun

This durian is often praised for its golden-hued flesh, known as a treasure among the durian varieties. This variety is a favourite for its mild yet captivating sweetness making it suitable for beginners.

Code: D13

Origin: Johor

Shape: Round to slightly oblong

Spikes: Gentle curve

Flesh: Deep golden yellow, creamy

Taste: Mildly sweet with a subtle alcoholic note

Seed: Small

9. D18 Sunset

As the name suggests, the D18 Sunset durian boasts a warm, orang-yellow flesh; similar to a sunset. This durian is cherished due to its vibrant colour and its full of depth flavour ranging from sweet to complex with a tannic bitterness.

Code: D18

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Round to slightly elongated

Spikes: Thick and robust

Flesh: Rich orange-yellow, creamy and smooth texture

Taste: Sweet and bitter

Seed: Medium to large

10. D24 XO

The D24 XO durian is a luxurious durian, bearing the ‘XO’ name which suggests a hint of extraordinary. The XO durian has a special place in the hearts of the locals because of its intoxicating rich aroma and strong flavour that is both sweet and slightly alcoholic.

Code: D24

Origin: Pahang

Shape: Round to oval with a flat bottom

Spikes: Medium-sized and densely packed

Flesh: Deep yellow to pale cream, velvety smooth texture

Taste: Sweet with an alcoholic taste

Seed: Moderate to small

11. D78 Sweetie

The D78 Sweetie is a durian that lives up to its name with an irresistible sweet flavour, making it a perfect entry point for those who are just starting to try durians.

Code: D78

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Oblong with a round base

Spikes: Short and blunt

Flesh: Pale yellow, soft and smooth creamy texture

Taste: Sweet with subtle bitterness

Seed: Small to medium

12. D88 Darling

This Darling durian is a gem among many, because of its rich taste and inviting texture. The D88 Darling durian is known for its balanced flavour in terms of sweetness and a buttery flesh that dissolves in the mouth.

Code: D88

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Round and plump

Spikes: Long and sharp

Flesh: Deep yellow

Taste: Sweet with a creamy undertone

Seed: Quite small

13. D101 Red Flesh

The Red Flesh is a striking durian variety because of its red-tinged flesh. This variety has captivated the senses of durian lovers because of its deep, wine-like hue and a taste of sweetness with a hint of sourness.

Code: D101

Origin: Malaysia

Shape: Large and oval

Spikes: Short and densely packed

Flesh: Rich red to deep orange, with creamy texture

Taste: Sweet and slightly sour notes

Seed: Medium-sized

14. D158 Cheong Peng

Fondly known as Cheong Peng, the D158 durian is a variety that is cherished for its buttery texture and a taste that perfectly combines sweetness with a subtle hint of sourness. It has a beautiful pale yellow flesh and an ability to strike a balance between the flavours.

Code: D158

Origin: Kedah

Shape: Round with a slight oblong tendency

Spikes: Fine and dense

Flesh: Pale yellow, with velvety smoothness

Taste: Sweet and sour

Seed: Small seeds to medium-sized

15. D163 Hulu

The Hulu durian is a distinguished variety, celebrated for its unique flavour and rarity. This durian has a thick flesh, that’s creamy and thick, with a flavour intensely sweet and slightly bitter.

Code: D163

Origin: Penang

Shape: Round to slightly elongated

Spikes: Robut and sharp

Flesh: Bright yellow flesh with custard-like texture

Taste: Sweet with a subtle bitterness

Seed: Small to medium

16. D165 Green Thorn

The D165, aptly named Green Thorn, is a durian that has a vivid, green spiky exterior. This variety is appreciated for its sweetness and mild astringent aftertaste. The Green Thorn’s flesh is creamy, rich and satisfying.

Code: D165

Origin: Penang

Shape: Oblong

Spikes: Long and green

Flesh: Creamy yellow, giving a buttery mouthfeel

Taste: Sweet and bitter

Seed: Medium in sized

17. D175 Red Prawn

The Red Prawn durian, with its alluring name, is a durian that is highly prized because of its reddish hue and the prawn-like shape of its pods. The Red Prawn’s flesh is soft and tender, that melts once in contact, giving out a sweetness with a subtle hint of bitterness.

Code: D175

Origin: Penang

Shape: Oblong with a prawn-like pod

Spikes: Medium-sized and soft

Flesh: Rich, creamy with reddish pink-tone

Taste: Intense sweetness with bitter aftertaste

Seed: Small

18. D197 Musang King

The D197 Musang King is the crown jewel of the durians in Malaysia, due to its exceptional quality and flavour. Also known as ‘Mao Shan Wang’ or ‘Raja Kunyit.’ The Musang King has a deep golden-yellow flesh and a unique turmeric aroma that other durians don’t have.

Code: D197

Origin: Kelantan

Shape: Large and round

Spikes: Short and sharp with brownish-green hue

Flesh: Deep golden-yellow, thick and creamy texture

Taste: Rich and bittersweet

Seed: Small and flat

19. D198 Golden Phoenix

The Golden Phoenix is an exquisite durian that is highly esteemed for its golden-hued flesh which is often referred to as ‘Jin Feng.’

It is loved by many due to its sweet and slightly fermented taste, and its creamy, rich, and smooth texture.

Code: D198

Origin:  Johor

Shape: Round to slightly elongated

Spikes: Thin and dense

Flesh: Bright golden colour, velvety smooth and cream consistency

Taste: Sweet with a nuanced fermented note

Seed: Medium-sized

20. D200 Black Thorn

The D200 Black Thorn stands out for its signature thorned appearance and dark stem. The Black Thorn durian variety delivers a tasting experience of sweet and creamy flesh that transitions into a subtle bitter aftertaste, embodying the complexity of fine durians.

Code: D200

Origin: Penang

Shape: Oval

Spikes: Prominent and sharp

Flesh: Deep, buttery yellow, rich smooth texture

Taste: Sweet with a lingering bitter undertone

Seed: Small

Durian season in Malaysia: A feast for Durian lovers

The durian season is a time of cultural celebration, with peak months from March to December bringing an abundance of durians and lower prices. The beginning and end of the year generally see a reduced supply, and October typically has no durians available.

Modern farming allows some varieties to be available all year, though their full flavour profile may differ from those harvested in peak season.

The country’s tropical climate plays a crucial role in these seasonal variations. For both durian enthusiasts and novices, the peak months are the best time to savour the rich flavours of Malaysia’s favourite fruit.

Expert tips for Durian lovers: Choosing your perfect Durian

Selecting the perfect durian is akin to an art form, one that requires the senses to be as sharp as the thorns of this king of fruits.

Here are expert tips to guide you through choosing the durian that will satiate your cravings:

Shake & Listen

Aim for a durian that offers a clean, crisp sound with a slight squishiness—this is the symphony of ripeness.

Smell

A perfectly ripe durian sings with a fragrance that is potent yet pleasing, strong enough to linger but gentle on the nose.

Spikes

Seek out durians with green spikes tipped in brown, a sign of just-right maturity with an aroma ready to envelop your senses.

Weight

A ripe fruit feels lighter than its unripe counterpart, as the water content decreases and the flesh achieves the perfect creamy consistency.

Conclusion

In summary, our exploration of Malaysia’s durian varieties has revealed a spectrum of flavours to delight every palate. We’ve highlighted the rhythms of durian season, marking the best times for indulgence, and provided guidance on selecting the finest fruit. Embrace these insights to enhance your durian experience, and for further discovery, visit DurianBB at https://durianbb.com.my/. Here’s to finding joy in the rich, creamy, and sometimes bittersweet treasures of Malaysia’s most celebrated fruit.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Malaysian Durian and a Thailand Durian?

Malaysian durians, like Musang King, are known for their creamy texture and blend of sweet and bitter flavours. They have deep yellow flesh.

Thai durians, such as Monthong, are milder in flavour, less creamy, and have pale yellow or white flesh. They are larger and sweeter, but less complex in taste.

What is the size of a Musang King durian core?

The core of a Musang King durian varies in size, but it’s generally large due to the fruit’s thick flesh and small seeds. Each lobe of the durian can be several inches long and wide.

How to know if a durian is ripe?

• Smell: Ripe durians have a strong, distinctive aroma.
• Sound: Shaking a ripe durian reveals slight movement of the seed inside.
• Touch: The shell should be slightly soft under pressure.
• Appearance: Look for a natural opening or crack at the bottom of the durian.