5 Most Bitter Durians That Would Leave Tears (of sadness) In Your Eyes
The durian world can be a pretty wacky place where you find people from all walks of life.
And different types of consumers are motivated by different things.
Some eat durians so that they can takes pictures to share with friends, some use it as a convenient excuse to avoid going on long haul trips with the wife (because where else can you be when the season has started), some see durians as a good reason to travel around Malaysia, some use it as an activity to gather the friends, some eat it as part of their diet, etc.
There are also those who chase durians for how it makes them feel in a certain way.
Some like to feel loved by the sweetness of IOI, some like to feel anger by being angry with a seller who gave them potatoes, some like the anxiety before opening a musang king and then the elation of seeing black hues when open. And there are some who are perverse enough to want to feel sad with bitterness.
I’ll admit. I’m one of those perverse ones. More often than not.
I had thought that loving bitter durians is a natural stepping stone as we climb the ladder of Maslow’s hierarchy. Eventually reaching self-duriactualization. But seeing that there are so many durianers who have played the game for years still loving only sweet durians, it means that longing for bitter durians is not an acquired taste. It’s just a taste preference.
Hey! Some people like their coffee sweet. Some like it bitter. Nothing to see here.
The most famous bitter durian is probably XO. But it gained fame not just because of it’s bitterness. It has a punchy flavour as well. So let’s not talk about XO.
If you like durians capable of tearing you up from bitterness, here are some of the most reputable bitter durians. :’-(
1) Thunder
The story of thunder itself can make for a dramatic segment in a Hollywood movie.
If the grippingly sad scenes of Jack and Rose losing hope in the ocean was replaced by a cinematic clip of you eating thunder, nobody would have realized any difference. The show might even win an extra Oscar.
This is one durian from Johor that is one-dimensional BITTER!
Once you let the first bite sink in and get you into the mood, you’d burst into tears the moment you take that second bite. And then cry a river for Justin Timberlake.
I think even durian sellers are affected. Because the most recent few times that I had reserved it, they always called back to revoke my reservation.
Maybe they don’t want me to associate sad feelings with them.
2) Bak eu
When I had my first bak eu, my kakis and I cried, hugged and made confessions as if we were in a session for durioholic therapy.
It was some goofy fun that we were having. But the trigger that ignited our sobbing was how bitter bak eu was, and still is.
Considered a kampung durian in Penang, you will have a hard time finding it because it is a hot favourite among the locals.
This is another crazy bitter durian that can leave you with weeping swollen eyes.
Just remember to check your mirror the next morning to scan for puffy eye bags.
I heard that under eye bags are a trend in Korea. So Koreans might want to shortlist this durian.
Bah yu is often compared to, and even mistaken as, capri. Another blockbuster non-registered bitter durian from Penang. But I’d say that when you are getting capri, you are not just going for the bitterness.
3) Lin feng jiao
The name of this durian alone should raise eyebrows in this part of the world.
When I run into durian tourist from China in Penang and chit-chat about the durians they’ve had or want to have, lin feng jiao (LFJ) is often among the first 3 they name.
I think durian lovers from the west might be better able to grasp this by thinking about having a fruit named Julia Roberts. Jackie Chan’s wife’s name is Lin Feng Jiao.
Unlike the previous 2 durians that are taste heavily dull and monotone, LFJ hits a high intensity on the first bite. And then slowly retreats into the sunset as you take more chunks of flesh out of it.
This momentary high can be so intense that is capable of of even covering the taste of musang king.
LFJ has a very formidable reputation in Penang. And easy to find if you get to the stalls early when in season. But you will almost never find it outside of the island.
4) Red flower (L13)
Red flower is one of the most unique tasting durians you will come across as you go deeper into the durianverse.
The mystery shrouding this durian has lessen since it got registered as D225. I would have preferred it to remain unregistered and retain that aura of mystic. But it deserves all the recognition it gets.
This is one insanely bitter and alcoholic durian that will give you WTF moments.
You’d be thinking how is it even possible? Partly because we have attached a certain taste profile for durians. And the taste of L13 durian just don’t seem to clearly check those boxes.
Do prepared to be pattern interrupted by red flower.
5) S17
When S17 is in a bitter mood, it can easily be the most bitter durian your mouth has ever entertained.
In addition, it embodies a heavy kampung taste that just blends so well with the intense bitterness. As the tears start to slide down your cheeks from reminiscing the good old kampung days, at least you can have some respite.
The good news with S17 is that supply has become more and more widespread over the last decade. It’s profile has definitely enjoyed more exposure since it registered as D212.
For regular durian lovers, it is probably the easiest to find among this list.