Durian Trip to the Hills of Sungai Ara

At this time of the year, most of us if not all Penangites have one food to hunt in common. Can you guess what is that ? Yes, it's durian and no doubt You Are Smarter Than A Fifth Grader :)

This fruit is mostly found in Southeast Asia especially in Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. And it seems like the name of King of Fruits for durians do have justifications after all.
I'll explain them later, now let's take a tour to the hills - to the durian orchard.

We were on a very steep and narrow road, only one car at a time, and there was around 6 other cars trailing behind our back, rendering to accidents at any rate if you would to just lose control of your vehicle for a second. Halfway there and looking up, you can already see nettings tied up above, and there were durians laying there, waiting to be picked up by the farm owners. It was a bumpy ride, but what awaits atop was paradise.

cluster of durians

When we finally parked our cars and set foot on the ground, that alone managed to put smiles on all our faces after the tough ride up.

the crew

looks like the durians had declared war

orchard owner/ tauke/ sifu

As you go along the the scrumptious durians, you'll find out why they're crowned the kings of fruits.

Susu (milk durian)

- Durian is one of the very few fruits in the world that gives out a unique odour.

I especially like this durian because it has very strong aroma, followed by a very strong bitterness yet sweet senstation.

hor loh (water gourd durian)

- Durian is one of the few fruits in the world that requires much skills and force to open it.

This durian has a very unique husk which shapes like a water gourd. It has a sweet and creamy flavour.

yah kang (centipede durian)

- Durian is one of the few fruits in the world that has sharp thorns on its husk.

This durian has a little orange yellowish flesh and tasted almost similar to hor loh.

ang heh (red prawn durian)

- Durian is one of the few fruits in the world which is so nutritious, containing vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, protein and trytophan.

This is probably everyone's favourite, it is expensive but definitely worth a try. It has a orange reddish flesh, filled with very strong fragrance and has a slight bitterness followed by a sweet creamy sensation.

khunn poh (named after Mr Lau Khunn Poh who budded it)

- Durian is one of the few fruits that makes people profoundly - love it or hate it.

This durian tasted almost like another durian called Ang Sim (red heart durian) with a creamy and tender flesh.

604 (named after Mr Teh Hew Hiong of Sungai Pinang)

- Durian is one of the few fruits in the world which has a lot of cultural beliefs. For instance, durian is believed to have eyes as durian almost never fall on someone's head.

This durian tasted a little bit normal for me, but it has rather small seeds which makes it more fleshy.

It is believed that to avoid the odour or smell on your hands after eating the durians, wash the durian (husk) under a running tap and let the water flow to your hands.




It is also believed that drinking durian water with it's pulp can cool down our body. Adding salt to the water might increase the effectiveness.

mangosteens

An alternative way is to eat mangosteens with the durians, because it is considered to have cooling properties.

nasi pulut

It is a very good way to eat durian together with nasi pulut, the both of them blends very well and making the durian rice very chewy and fragrant.

list of durians

It was a wonderful experience and it was my first time to a durian orchard. As a Penangite, I'm really grateful to have this opportunity as undoubtedly there are many tourists who traveled far to Penang just to have a glimpse of durians.

the way home

Prices .
The prices for durians can vary depending on it's name (brand), size, flavour, and rarity (which is also influenced by the season)
But it is definitely much cheaper to eat them in the farm rather than on the streets or roadside.

Bonus .
This place is located on the hills of Cangkat Sungai Ara, prior bookings are needed for a visit.

Posted in: Durians