The durian season is an exciting time for the exotic fruit lovers.

The “King of Fruits” is famous for its rich, custardy flesh and super-strong aroma that can make people drool (or not!).

However, not all durians are the same. There are different types of durian we can find in Malaysia such as Musang King, D24, Red Prawn, Black Thorn and many more.

If you’re new to the durian lover club, let us guide you on choosing a good durian.

1. Smell The Base

Make good use of your sniffing skills!

A good durian should have a strong and sweet aroma, not one that smells overly fermented.

You can sniff near the stem area or around the base of the fruit.

✅ Pick: If it smells fresh and sweet like a custard, it’s most probably ripe.

❌ Reject: If it doesn’t have a strong durian scent,  there’s a chance that the durian is unripe. And if it gives off an alcoholic or a too-sharp scent, perhaps it’s overripe.

2. Shake It Gently

Give the durian a good, light shake! 

✅ Pick: If you can hear the seeds slightly moving inside, that’s a good sign that the flesh is soft and ripe.

❌ Reject: If there’s no sound, it might be unripe. However, too much rattling could mean it’s overripe or dried out.

3. Check The Stem

A durian stem can tell you a lot about its freshness. 

✅ Pick: A freshly cut durian from its tree will have a firm and greenish stem. If you see the durian has a shorter stem, it has probably dropped naturally on its own.

❌ Reject: If the stem looks dry, long and brownish, the durian may be old and has been harvested for a long time.

4. Look At The Spikes And Cracks

To spot a good durian, you can take a look at the spikes.

✅ Pick: A little hint for a good durian is when the spikes are thick and widely spaced. Don’t forget to inspect for the natural cracks as well!

❌ Reject: If they’re close together and sharp, the durian might not be fully mature. Also, avoid the ones with too many cracks that appear dry or mouldy.

5. Know Your Varieties

Everyone has their tastes and preferences. 

And the same goes for the durians. Each durian has its unique taste!

If you like a bittersweet and creamy texture, you should go for Musang King.

Or if you prefer one with a sweet and mild taste, try a D24 or Red Prawn.

Still confused about your preferred taste? Check out these 5 types of Malaysian durians (and 2025 season calendar!)

Get Your Durian Delivered With Lalamove

Choosing a good durian doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience.

With a bit of know-how and maybe a few trial-and-error experiences, it’ll be easy for you to spot the best one!

Need a super-fast durian delivery? Let Lalamove take care of the delivery and enjoy 15% off deliveries while you’re at it.

Use the coupon code [LALICIOUS] today!