Getting the inside scoop on rare durian at annual treat

The Star

17-07-2025

THE leafy surrounds of a pocket garden in George Town provided the perfect backdrop for Penang's pressmen to indulge in durian.
About 50 of them tucked into well-loved varieties such as Red Prawn, Green Skin and Hor Lor during the treat organised by Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong.
Cheers erupted when hyped variants like Musang King and Black Thorn were brought out by the vendor at the fruit stall along Jalan Anson.
By the end of the event, the guests devoured over 90kg of the fruit.
Fruit stall proprietor Ang Hock Leng said he also served up two equally good but less well-known varieties on the day – the Big Red and Puppet King.
He said the Big Red, better known by its Chinese moniker Da Hong, got its name from its orangey-coloured flesh.
'It has a bitter but complex flavour with thick, custard-like flesh,' Ang explained, adding that it should not be confused with the Little Red or Xiao Hong which is sweeter and creamier.
Ang said the Puppet King or Kong Zai Wang is actually an old cultivar previously known as Jantung.
'It was rebranded recently and even finished second in a competition last year, behind Musang King,' added the vendor who has been operating on the site since 1979.
He also urged durian lovers to indulge within these few weeks as harvests will hit their peak before tapering off in the latter half of the month.
Ong said this was the third year his office organised the gathering.
'These few weeks are said to be the peak of durian season in Penang, so what better way to get together?
'It's great to see everyone tucking in and enjoying themselves,' he added.
Nanyang Siang Pau reporter Wong Soon Eng said, 'These are nice occasions for us to have a good time together, and the durian fruits are specially picked so the quality is there.'