Ways to check if A Durian is Ripe

A mature durian would have fruitlets that are a bit lose internally. This is due to the chamber’s loss of control. A mature durian would allow the shaker to feel or hear the fruitlets pounding around in the pods that housed them. When the pounding sound is excessively strong and loud, it indicates that the fruit is overripe. When no movement is detected inside while shaking the durian, it suggests that the fruit is not ripe at all.

You may have noticed that when a durian vendor touches a durian fruit for you, he nearly begins tapping it with a tool in hand. Sometimes, this instrument is the knife he uses to open the fruit, but it can also be something fashioned like a matchstick.

The tapping (or banging) of the durian obtains an aural sensation of what is happening in the fruit at hand. Due to the empty area between the fruitlet’s pellicle and chamber, a mature durian would produce a hollow sound. A firm sound indicates that it is overripe. An echo suggests that it has yet to ripen.

For individuals who despise the fragrance of durians, this may be the most challenging ripeness test. However, seasoned customers believe that this is the most accurate technique to determine the maturity of a durian. To complete this particular assignment, you must get your nose as near to the durian as possible without being pricked by those spikes.

Smell the top and bottom of the durian, close to the seams. What you’re searching for, or rather sniffing for, is a fresh scent, like a sunny day on a grass field. This is similar to distinguishing the aromas of unripe, ripe, and overripe mangoes or bananas. It is visible and trainable. It’s also frequently evident.

When you step back, the durian fragrance will be at a level 1 and climb to around a level 5 when your nose is in place. The husk is an excellent container for the fragrance of the durian. When the husk is entirely intact, it performs an excellent job of keeping the incredible stench at bay.

The flesh of the fruit, on the other hand, has a potent aroma that escapes at the seams. This allows one to perceive a difference when smelling from the source. When you insert your nose into the fruit, if the scent reaches a level of 10, it indicates that the fruit is overripe or that the protective husk is not as intact as you may assume. If the fragrance level hasn’t changed significantly, it’s still not ripe. If you don’t detect any durian odour, you may have picked up a jackfruit instead. Ensure that no one has caught you.

The scent from the top and bottom should be nearly the same. This is important because durians ripen from the bottom up. So, even if you smell the bottom, there is still a potential that the top half of the pods contain immature seeds.

The seams would not be able to tell you if the fruit is ripe or not. However, if the seams have split apart without any outside intrusion, it indicates that it is overripe. This can also be caused by a hot and humid storage facility where the fruits are stored for an extended time. Impacts on the fruits during transportation might also cause the fruits to open up.

Seams that are not sealed expose the fruits to oxidation, insects, dirt, and other contaminants. This is one of the most straightforward ways to select durian. If you come across a durian that has cracked open, your instincts should alert you that something is wrong. You want one that has been sealed.

The stem is the brown stalk that protrudes from the top of the fruit. This one characteristic of durians can reveal a lot about the fruit itself. Know that ripe durians would naturally fall from their branches.

If you notice neatly cut stems, it means that the fruit was cut too soon from the tree limb itself. If it isn’t evident, the natural breaking point of durians is the joint located somewhere along the stem. This indicates that if the joint is still visible on the fruit, people cut it rather than falling naturally from the tree.

Early harvesting is not uncommon since it allows planters more time to transport the fruits to buyers, who can then sell them when they are ripe.

But how do you know it’s ripe and ready when it was plainly cut too soon?

A freshly ripe durian would have a green stem beneath the bark. This may be examined by scraping the stem to see what’s below. If there is no green colour inside and only brown, it indicates that the fruit has been maturing for quite some time.

This is a common practice in several areas. However, this may be perceived as an insult by specific vendors. So, before asking that a window into the durian be opened for you, research whether it is customary in that area.

This method merely entails cutting an opening in the husk to enable access to the magical flesh hidden behind the thorny shell. A seller’s nice gesture is to open this window. So please appreciate the gesture. But don’t lose sight of the work at hand. When a window opens, you can smell and see the flesh properly.

The right scent and look will change depending on the cultivar type you choose. However, if the vendor is genuinely generous (maybe because he has met his sales goal for the day), he may allow you to touch the flesh of the durian. If you’re allowed to touch it, it’s likely that you’re also allowed to press it. Gently pressing it helps you to determine how soft the flesh is nearing ripeness. Just don’t create an impression that devalues the durian right away. Remember what I said before about the bottom ripening before the top.

As a result, an opening should expose either the top or the bottom. Though a window just shows the bottom, there is still a potential that the top has still to mature even if the bottom is completely ripe.

Previously, durian vendors would perform all of the durian harvestings for us since they sell in local communities. The sale of a poor experience may quickly spread. There is also a sense of connection and service to the community in selling durians. However, durians have grown rather popular in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in competition. There is no doubt about that.

As a result of having too much inventory, merchants would pass on unripe or overripe durians to unwary and ignorant consumers. As a result, knowing how to choose ripe durians has become an essential skill for individuals who want a durian fix regularly.