LETTERS: Durian! Just by mentioning the name it evokes a flood of memories for most of us.
Love or loathe it, the 'King of Fruits' has become part of Malaysians' consciousness.
Here are some durian lexicons that a Malaysian is familiar with:
1. Durian Kampung (Durio zibethinus) - Before gaining superstardom and roof-hitting prices, durian trees grew in rural villages, mostly at our grandparent's house yards. Some were planted small-scale in fruit orchards or self-owned rubber or palm-oil estates.
That was before modern agriculture, fertilizers and pesticides came into the picture. It was an unassuming, humble, common local fruit that everybody can enjoy. It tastes just as delicious as high-quality new variety breeds.
2. Musim durian (Durian season) - Durian is a seasonal fruit like rambutan and mangosteen. The main fruiting season is from June to August thus limiting supply. Soon, giant durian plantations with their biotechnological power and agricultural technological advances will be able to satisfy the commodity growing demand.
Cryogenic freezing technology makes it available all year but we like our durian fresh right from shell, don't we?
3. Jaga durian (Durian watch) - People think durian-farming is easy but it's not. Cultivating durian trees is challenging and needs lots of dedication. There are uncontrollable natural elements like weather affecting the trees and fruit-bearing process.
Besides insects as pest, animals like squirrels and monkeys are constantly menacing near-ripe fruits. Once on the ground it is a wild-boar's favourite. You need to keep an eye out or it's your loss. Sometimes elephants may pay a visit and destroy everything in their path. Then you run!
4. Kutip durian (Durian harvesting) - But, the hardship is repaid when harvest season begins. Because the majority of durians fall at night, many farmers would sleep in the orchard amidst buzzing mosquitoes. Ripe durians fall onto the ground. The impact gives a 'thump' sound prompting thrilling search for the fruits in darkness.
Collected fruits are then sold to middlemen who transport to distributing vendors. It then travels to cities, factories and airports for export. As big as the enterprise might seem, many small-scales farm owners need knowledge, logistics and financial assistance. Is there any aid from any agencies?
5. Pilih durian (Durian selecting) - This must be one of Malaysians' favourite pastimes. During the season, roadside stalls spring up hawking durians. Throngs of people gather around the impromptu set-ups with piles of baskets or decks of durians in various names- 'kampung' or clones, sizes and shapes for choosing.
Tempting? Pick up a fruit, smell, shake and feel. It requires skill to choose or you can ask for help from the busy seller. Who says Malaysians are not picky! Once done you can even bargain on the price. Nowadays it can come with a hefty fixed price tag and even QR-code.
6. Pesta durian (Durian feast) - Eating on the spot or at home, durians are best enjoyed with family and friends, hopefully once again when things get better post-Covid. 'Makan durian' as we say needs no further elaboration.
Prised open from its thorny shell (another set of skills required) and there you have it, fleshy yellow pulp, bitter or sweet, a distinct taste and smell known only to the taster. It is high in calorie and can be "heaty" so you may get 'demam durian' (durian addiction). Do enjoy moderately.
That is the durian supply-chain I know of. As modernity ensues, cost of living goes up and new normal sets in some of it may become distant memories. There are some experiences money cannot buy.
I still like my durian fresh, natural and worm-holed ones are okay. You can ask that to any Makcik making tempoyak (traditional fermented durian dish) too.
CHEAH C.F
Sungai Siput, Perak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times