Heavenly Durians

Image credit: Getty Images/BeeBright

According to the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, more than 14,000 metric tonnes of durians were exported in 2017. These were in the form of whole fruit, pulp and paste. 

The Star report published on April 04, 2018 identified the destinations as Singapore, Hong Kong, China and the US of A. 

Although the exports represented just 6 percent out of the country’s total production value, they earned RM70.68 million in revenue. 

Not bad for a fruit (genus Durio) that has been described as stinky – with a smell akin to “turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock”. I don't care but I just love its “potent stench”.  To me, the durian is blessed to have this heavenly aroma.

Image credit: http://www.sinarharian.com.my/rencana/kenali-musang-king-elak-ditipu-peniaga-durian-1.767805 

My favorite is of course, Musang King, a particularly pungent variety of Durio zibethinus that is grown in Malaysia and is banned in hotels and on many public transport systems. Whatever lah, but the taste is oh so heavenly.

And for those who don't know about the durian, it is incredibly nutritious. Just google to find out.

It’s good to know that the ministry is conducting programs under the 11th Malaysia Plan to empower fruit growers by giving them lessons on planting and post-harvest management, as well as expanding durian crop project clusters through the Agricultural Department and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. 

If we see an expansion of acreage devoted to durians – this will mean a bigger supply of durians, which in turn, will stabilize durian prices. Hopefully. 

On Wednesday, I was in Menara Gamuda in Damansara Perdana, PJ where I was a speech evaluator for a CC#10.  And I was voted Best Evaluator.

The Gamuda Toastmasters meeting is always special to me because I was the club mentor when it was chartered five years ago.

A Glasow game in which Celtic monopolized possession and yet, struggling Dundee held the Scottish champions to a goalless Scottish Premiership draw. The former must have had an epic day off that Wednesday.