Red Durian Fruit is known by another name “Durio graveolens”, this part of the durian flesh is red and exciting and tastes different from other durians in general. This is very surprising, the presence of this red durian makes some people ask how to use dye so that the flesh of the fruit turns red. Actually this is a species of durian, one of the durian species in the forests of Borneo, Indonesia. If you walk in the Kalimantan market, you will see red durian fruit being sold there. But many people prefer the taste of ordinary durian which is so delicious and exciting.
Even though the red durian is popular these days, it is one of the durian species that confuses several other durian species.
Red Durian Fruit Description
The red color of this durian flesh is a picture of most people associating it with Durio Graveolens. This durian fruit is small and the skin color is bright yellow or brown. The smell is light, and the flesh is thick, while the taste is almost non-existent, or like eating avocado. That’s why most people prefer ordinary durians, which are incredibly delicious.
But there is another side that is highlighted from the red durian fruit or Durio graveolens, the taste of the cheese is extraordinary, spicy, smooth, there are also those who call it a fruit with a light sweet taste, furih, and fatty. Durio graveolens is neon orange or bright yellow with a green, pointed exterior.
So What’s the Real This Fruit?
Actually, there are two types of duarian with one name. Some have red flesh and some are orange or neon.
It is possible that Durio grabeolens are actually two distinct species united by one name. Where there is a difference between these two types of durian when both are ripe. Durian with orange flesh when atang will fall to the ground like ordinary durian. However, a durian with red flesh will not fall to the ground even if it is ripe, it will stick to it but drop the flesh and seeds.
Botanist Anthony Lamb suggests the orange flesh durian is referred to as Dalit, this is a different species from the red flesh durian.
It should be noted that the durian graveolens is the only species that has been successfully mated with the durian zibethinus in the wild. Hybrid fruit can bring up a variety of unexpected colors. It is sometimes mottled and streaked with bright pink, and its taste is the second best in the world.
Red-fleshed durian when it is ripe on the tree, it will open and the flesh, the seeds fall while the fruit remains attached to the tree, unique!
Distribution and Season
Where can you find red durian fruit? Durio graveolens grows throughout Borneo, the island of Palawan, the Philippines, and in the agricultural areas of Mindanao and Peninsular Malaysia. However, there are also those who mention that red durian is already in Sumatra as well.
Durio graveolens bears fruit early in the fruiting season of the durian zibethinus. Some find red durian or Durio Graveolens in the Philippines in August. You can find it also in Sabah in October to December, and in Sarawak in November-January.
Local Names of Red Durian Fruit
For the graveolens species, it is difficult to decipher the local name because there are several different types.
1. Red-Flesh Durian
It is also know as Durian Merah, durian otak udang galah (Brunei and Sabah), durian hutan, tabelak (Sabah), durian kuning (Brunei) or sometimes durian sukang (this is more commonly used to refer to durio oxleyanus)
2. Orange-flesh
Durian dalit (Sabah), durian hutan
3. Yellow-flesh
Durian simpor, durian dalit
4. Graveolens-zibethinus hybrid
Known also as durian Suluk locally
In addition, there are a number of other names such as the Batak people calling it “tinambela” (Batak people), durian adjan (Sumatera), mara’ang (Orang Sungai, Kinabatangan), taula (Thai), Thurian-rakka (Thai).
Scientific Name
The red durian fruit or Durio graveolens does not have a fragrant smell or “smelly durian” in Latin. The type of durian that smells the most is Durio dulcis.
Durio graveolens was collected near Kuching, Sarawak, by Odoardo Beccari, an Italian botanist who explored the jungles of Borneo for three years from 1865 and 1868. This botanist says there are eight durian species in total. This is included in his three volume documentation of the Flora of Malaysia.
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Growing Durio Graveolens
How about the growth of red durian or Durio Graveolens. It is said that this durian grows to a height of 50 meters like other durians, but it is a little more tolerant of higher elevations. The germination rate can be 95% in 5 to 19 days.
Several studies have found that Graveolens durian species are more tolerant of Phytophthora and other durian diseases. Because it is resistant to various diseases, this durian is widely used as rootstock for other durian plants so that the durian is stronger and resistant to disease.
Culinary Uses of Red Durian Fruit
- The sweet taste makes many people like to consume it directly or cooked
- The meat is sometimes fried with onions and chilies, served as a side dish in Sabah
- Red durian seeds are cooked, boiled or roasted
- Durian is also widely available in the form of chips, drinks and candies and cakes.
Other Facts of Red Durian
– The wood of the red durian trunk is Pink-brown
– The wood is used for home interiors and as home furniture.
