When it comes to food and fruits in general, we typically have a picture in our heads on what colours come with the fruits.

For example, apples are red on the outside and white on the inside. Orange are orange on the outside and… orange on the inside. Bananas are yellow on the outside and white on the inside.

Then there are durians that are green on the outside and yellow on the inside.

But as we dive deeper into the variants of certain fruits we will soon discover that there are other variants with different colours. And they can even have a taste that some people prefer.

Apples for example can come in green, oranges can come in red, and bananas can actually come in alien blue.

Durians are mostly a tone of green. But fruitlets can also come in a variety of colours such as white, red, orange… and would you believe it, green.

It’s this attribute that led D165 to be named green skin 15.

The number 15 at the end is a puzzle. But legend has it that this cultivar actually grew up into a problem child from a seed of a Thai durian called Chanee, also known as D15. Thus, the number 15 at the end to pay tribute to it’s ancestral roots.

Chanee might understandably want to disown this child since the Thais appreciate durians in a different way compared to those in Malaysia and Singapore. But durianers of the Malayan peninsula saw beauty in it and has in fact championed it.

Known as qing pi (青皮) in Chinese, cheh puay in hokkien, and kulit hijau in Malay, the green skin of the fruitlet is distinctively recognizable.

It is more commonly known as just green skin without the 15, and in recent years have also adopted the nickname green dragon (青龙).

For those who don’t know, green dragon is a very common term in Chinese folklore in reference to the celestial dragon that brings rain for farmers with crops to cultivate. It also plays a significant role in a mainstay feng shui concept. So the Chinese actually has a cultural affinity to this term.

The popularity of this cultivar is growing by leaps and bounds consistently. And I wouldn’t write-off it’s potential to one day achieve the miraculous feat of being mentioned in the same breath as musang king and black thorn by the media.

There is also a variant of this durian with orange-yellow flesh which is called green skin ang bak. But the original variant is much more popular and widely available.

Features of green skin 15 durian

To set the record straight, most green skin 15 we find today have yellow flesh. But they can still occasionally turn out green.

Other than the distinctive green skin covering the meat, this aromatic durian has another unique feature that sticks out like a sore thumb.

It’s stem has an end with a wider diameter than the rest of the stem. This is the part where it naturally breaks free from the tree branch.

It resembles that of the thick lip on a glass beer bottle, between the mouth and the neck. Which is why it is sometimes referred to as corona shape.

This also means that one without this “lip” would have either been tampered with maybe with an intention to deceive or is actually a different cultivar.

Green skin is considered a big durian that frequently comes in sizes of around 2kg.

The colour of husk is pale green. And some people would argue that it’s name actually comes from how green the colour of the husk is. But almost all durians have green husk… So I’m sitting on the fence on that epiphany.

While the exterior shape is generally roundish elongated, and can sometimes also look like a pear somewhat similar to hor lor.

The spikes are large like bold armoured spikes on the shoulders of medieval warriors. If weapons like the flail and morning-star used durians as parts, green skin is what they would choose.

The wrinkly green skin hides it’s creamy thick flesh underneath sometimes with a hint of black and dark undertone. The colour can also be that of rusty pale yellow bordering on orange.

Considering how big this durian is and the thick flesh it packs, your stomach would feel quite full with just a few fruitlets. So don’t buy too many of them unless you are feasting with a group or have pet dogs who will gobble them up without any fuss.

The texture is on the wetter side when fresh.

So much so that many recommend having a little cute fun with consuming it by tearing a hole on the skin with your front teeth and then suck on it like how you would on a pacifier. Maybe your sub-conscious would remind you of the unconditional motherly love you enjoyed as a baby.

It’s flavour is one of richness with a strong intense bitterness. Those who love bitter durians are going to fall head over heels for this one.

And if you are one who hunts for very bitter musang kings but have yet to find any closure, the answer to your quest might actually be this. You won’t be disappointed with this cultivar.

There is absolutely zero chance that you will find this sweeter than it is bitter.

As rookie durian tasters get their fill of musang kings and D24s, and later learn that they like bitter durians, green skin is the one they gravitate towards once they become aware of it’s existence.

It is also known for it’s alcoholic taste. Some can be so strong that it goes up your nose like a hasty sip from a classic Whisky.

But don’t worry. You don’t need to be 18 in SG or 21 in MY to be able to legally consume green dragon.

This is a durian that also comes in a smaller variant that is about 1kg give or take. It has a much greener husk and a more circular spherical shape. Sellers would label them as green skin’s son (青皮仔). However, the taste does not do justice to it’s parent. So select wisely at the durian store.

Green skin 15 harvest season

The green skin harvest typically starts in May.

Despite it’s pedigree flavour and taste that packs quite a punch, green skin 15 is actually not easy to find. It’s not as rare as the elusive D10 or D145, but you won’t find it as easily obtainable as XO either.

Growers tend to choose musang king and black thorn for their mass market demand with proven track records.

In addition, D165 clearly slots into the category of bitter durians which can be considered as a raving niche market.

This is why your best chances of grabbing some of them is by physically being in Penang.

And you’d want to secure them in your hands when you see them on display. Because chances are that it wouldn’t stay out there in the open for long.