GEORGE TOWN – Durian orchard growers in Sungai Ara here have come up with the newest variant of the pungent fruit, which they predict is destined to rival the popular strains of Musang King and blackthorn with the King of the Fruit's season underway.
The new variant is called Tuhan Kasi (God Sent), as the taste and the odour are of something heavenly, according to Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin.
Much to his bemusement, Sim described the taste as something which starts as sweet before developing a bitterness towards the tail end of the seed.
Sim said that the durian variant is getting traction by the people here, particularly among the residents in the Bayan Baru satellite township, of which Sungai Ara is part of.
"Well, I hope many politicians do not have careers which begin in a sweet fashion but ends up tasting bitter," said Sim, who is a self-confessed durian "addict."
Jokes aside, Sim said that Sungai Ara orchards are also close to rivalling their growers in Balik Pulau because they share the same hilly range and soil.
"The climate is almost the same so I think Penang now has two top areas for cultivating the delicious fruit," said Sim in an interview.
According to Sim, who is a former deputy agriculture and agro-based industries minister, Sungai Ara has about 1,000 acres devoted to growing durians.
He sees Penang as having much potential to develop its durian industry, particularly in the downstream industries.
In China, the wholesalers there are now producing mostly durian flavoured ice cream, there is also a durian fruit juice and pizza, plus cookies and other edible products.
"We want Penang entrepreneurs to similarly tap the potential in durians other than growing and selling it to wholesalers or retailers with quality ones packed for export."
Instead, Sim said that downstream industries here can be formed to commercially produce all types of food with durians incorporated in it; such as cookies or chocolates.
He also wants the players in the durian industry to be prepared as next year, Penang expects a deluge of tourists from China as the country reopens its economy once it puts to rest the threat from Covid-19.
Given that the virus continues to pose an issue there in recent months, Sim said that China will emerge from its self-imposed lock downs stronger and more resilient.
"China nationals would want to travel and since they adore durians, Malaysia or namely Penang may be a preferred inbound destination for them. We must be ready."
Sim said that the experience of consuming durians must be memorable so they will continue to come here, but more importantly, there are some things like durian-based finished products which tourists can take home with them.
He also urged souvenir producers to design more items related to the fruit. – The Vibes, June 20, 2022
