The Foodie’s Foraged Find: An Alluring Aroma and a Distinctive Taste Sensation

Tupai King Durian: The Rise of a New Malaysian Delicacy

Tupai King, a new and prestigious durian breed from Malaysia, has been capturing the attention of food connoisseurs worldwide. With its unique flavor profile and record-breaking prices, this exotic fruit is taking the market by storm, especially in Singapore and China.

Although it made its debut 5-6 years ago, Tupai King has only recently gained widespread popularity, particularly in the last two years. This is because the cultivation of this durian variety began in earnest only about five years ago, and it typically takes about three years for the trees to start bearing fruit.

The Tupai King durian has an elongated, egg-like shape with a pointed tip and a bulbous body. Uniquely, it is typically opened from the stem end, rather than the base, like most other durians. Its brown-green husk is adorned with thick, curved spines that grow in multiple directions.

The flesh of the Tupai King is a captivating orange-yellow, with a distinctive bitter-sweet taste akin to a mild liquor. Some have likened it to “mulberry wine” or “fruit wine,” creating a sensation of being “drunk on durian.” This distinct flavor is complemented by a moderate creaminess and an intense aroma, leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue, akin to a mild “sting.”

Mr. Eric Yeap, owner of a durian orchard in Penang, Malaysia, shared that despite its recent rise to fame, Tupai King has quickly garnered interest from markets such as Singapore, China, and Hong Kong. Many customers are willing to travel directly to the orchards to purchase this variety.

“This durian variety has already built a loyal customer base, and many durian enthusiasts find its potent blend of sweetness and bitterness irresistible. We’ve even had buyers from Singapore come directly to our fruit farm,” he said.

Tupai King is considered royalty in the world of durians, not only because of its exceptional flavor but also due to its scarcity and high economic value. Currently, the production is limited as the number of trees cultivated is still relatively low.

Tupai King fetches prices as high as 150 RM/kg (approximately 900,000 VND/kg), making it the most expensive durian variety in Malaysia. This price even surpasses that of renowned durian varieties such as Black Thorn and Musang King, which are known for their exceptional taste and rarity.

In Penang, the Tupai King durian was officially trademarked in February 2024. According to World Of Buzz, a durian seller named Brian Ong from Penang stated that a typical Tupai King fruit weighs around 3 kg and is priced between 600 RM and 1,000 RM (3.2 million to 5.4 million VND), depending on its freshness.

Mr. Yeap’s orchard in Penang currently has 20 Tupai King trees, and he plans to expand his plantation to meet the growing demand. He also shared that this year’s durian yield could decrease by up to 30% due to excessive rain causing premature flower drop, which may lead to further price increases.

“Usually, we can harvest up to one ton of durians per day, but this year, the season is a bit late, and the yield is lower. We also export 20% of our produce overseas,” he added.

“We may be witnessing the birth of a new icon in the Malaysian durian industry, similar to what Musang King achieved in the past,” remarked an agriculture expert.

In the next 3-4 years, Tupai King is expected to gain wider cultivation in Malaysia as more farmers recognize its economic potential. With its promising prospects, this durian variety is poised to create a new wave in the Asian premium fruit market in the coming years.

However, according to local experts, expansion should go hand in hand with quality control to maintain the “new king of durian” status that Tupai King has earned.