Tips

The King of Fruits: A Tale of Pricey Durian and Bitter Realizations

"Beware the allure of cheap durians! A recent unfortunate encounter with a 25k VND durian left a bitter taste, quite literally. Upon purchasing and opening the fruit, the disappointment was palpable as the quality fell far short of expectations. The experience serves as a cautionary tale for those tempted by bargain durians - sometimes the deal is too good to be true, leaving you with an unappetizing and frustrating experience."

Administrator

13 July, 2024

103

Last time, we brought you an article warning about the infamous 10k durian craze that took the internet by storm. Little did we know, the story of unusually cheap durians doesn’t end there. Today, while strolling down a street in District 7, we stumbled upon a place selling durians for an unbelievably low price of 25k VND per kg, which is almost three times cheaper than the current market price.

For more details about this incredibly cheap durian, check out the video below.

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZ1EnzNYhZs”]

Intrigued yet suspicious, we decided to buy and try this durian to uncover the truth behind this seemingly too-good-to-be-true deal.

1The Sign Says 25k, But the Seller Demands Double the Price

The large sign advertising durians at 25k VND per kg caught our attention and lured us to a street vendor along Nguyen Huu Tho Street in District 7. It was afternoon, and a few curious customers were already gathered around the stall, all inquiring about the incredibly cheap durians.

When we asked about the durian priced at 25k VND, as boldly advertised on the sign, the seller shook their head and insisted that the price was actually 50k VND per kg, and the sign only meant half a kilo. Clearly, the sign was just a clever ploy to attract customers.

The sign advertises 25k/kg, but the seller demands 50k/kg

Even though the sign was misleading, 50k VND per kg is still incredibly cheap compared to the current market price of durians. We asked the seller to point out the 50k VND durians, and they showed us a few small ones, so we picked one that looked ripe and bought it to find out what this cheap durian was all about.

The fruit looked unassuming from the outside.

2Cutting Open the 25k Durian: A Bitter Surprise

Exterior Observations of the Durian

At first glance, this 25k VND durian looked perfectly ordinary. However, upon closer inspection, several abnormalities became apparent. Notably, the stem of the fruit was dry and easily breakable.

The dry and withered stem, which easily broke off.

Additionally, the spikes on the fruit showed signs of impact, feeling hard and unyielding, unlike the typically soft and pliable spikes of a ripe durian.

The spikes were hard and pointed, indicating possible impact damage.

In terms of color, the durian exhibited a deep green shade, typical of unripe fruit, with some yellow patches that suggested possible bruising or over-ripeness.

The fruit displayed an unusual mix of green and yellow colors.

The bottom of the fruit also showed a distinct crack, which is typically a sign of a ripe durian but could also indicate impact damage.

The crack on the bottom of the fruit, similar to ripe durians but could also be due to impact.

Uncovering the Surprises Within

We purchased this durian from the street vendor and decided to cut it open right there on the sidewalk, using a key as we lacked a proper durian-opening tool. To our surprise, the usually tough durian shell gave way easily, and we were able to pry it open with the key along the natural cracks of the fruit.

As we opened the fruit, we noticed that the flesh looked unusual. Instead of the vibrant yellow color typical of ripe durians, the flesh was a dull yellowish-white.

The dull yellowish-white flesh, unlike the vibrant yellow of ripe durians.

Squeezing the flesh, we found it to be hard and unyielding, lacking the soft, buttery texture of a ripe durian. It didn’t even resemble the slightly firmer texture of an almost-ripe durian. The flesh felt more like an unripe fruit.

The hard and unyielding flesh, unlike the soft and buttery texture of a ripe durian.

Every segment of the fruit we encountered was similarly unripe and hard, with the same yellowish-white color and unappetizing texture.

All the segments were unripe and hard, unfit for consumption.

Tasting a small piece, we were met with the flavor of unripe fruit, devoid of the characteristic sweetness and aroma of a ripe durian. It tasted more like a random unripe fruit than the king of fruits it was supposed to be.

All the segments were similarly unripe and inedible.

We suspect that these durians might be unripe fruits that fell from the trees, which were then artificially ripened and sold at these incredibly low prices. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for consumers, highlighting the importance of being vigilant when encountering unusually cheap durians.

When purchasing durians, consumers should opt for reputable supermarkets or trusted retailers to minimize the risk of encountering low-quality or artificially ripened fruits.

Additionally, educating oneself about can empower consumers to make informed choices and avoid falling prey to deceptive practices in the durian market.

Frequently asked questions

Durian is often referred to as the ‘king of fruits’ due to its unique flavor, creamy texture, and strong aroma. It is a large, spiky fruit native to Southeast Asia, and is known for its divisive nature – people either love it or hate it due to its intense smell and taste.

The price of durian can vary greatly depending on the variety, with some rare and premium types fetching extremely high prices. Factors contributing to the cost include the short harvest season, the labor-intensive process of harvesting and transporting the fruit, and the fact that durian trees take many years to bear fruit.

Durian is known to be rich in nutrients, including vitamins C, B6, and E, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. It is also a good source of fiber and healthy fats. Some believe that durian can improve energy levels, boost mood, and even enhance sexual performance.

The strong smell and distinctive taste of durian can be off-putting to some people. The odor has been described as resembling rotten onions or garbage, and the flavor can be overpowering for those who are not used to it. Additionally, the high sulfur content in durian may contribute to its polarizing nature.

Durian is typically eaten fresh, with the soft, creamy flesh scooped out of the hard outer shell. It can also be used in a variety of desserts, such as ice cream, cakes, and pastries. In some Southeast Asian countries, durian is even used in savory dishes, though its strong flavor can be challenging to incorporate successfully.

Absolutely! Durian lovers can enjoy a range of travel experiences centered around this unique fruit. Consider visiting a durian farm in Thailand or Malaysia, where you can taste fresh durian straight from the tree. Join a durian-themed food tour in Singapore, or attend the annual World Durian Conference in China to sample rare varieties and learn more about the fruit.