First wave: Durian farmers Chee Keat (left) and Chee Boon, 32, checking the fruits that just fell into the nets at their orchard in Paya Terubong. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
BALIK PULAU: Are you ready, durian lovers? Now is the time to binge on the King of Fruits as farmers expect up to “three waves” of the season this year.
With fruits already starting to drop now, it means more durian is available over a longer season, said durian farmer Tan Chee Keat, 33.
“The season has just started. This first wave is expected to last till early June.
“After that, there should be a two-week break, followed by another wave from mid-June to July, and the third wave from August to September,” he said.
Tan, who owns a spread of orchards behind Penang island, said each wave would come from orchards in different localities here.
“Orchards in Teluk Kumbar and Pulau Betong may only see durians dropping from July to mid-August as the early batch of flowers had fallen due to rain before they were pollinated.
“Orchards in Sungai Pinang, Sungai Rusa and Teluk Bahang are expected to produce two waves while those in Sungai Ara, Balik Pulau and Titi Serong may have up to three waves of fruits,” he said.
“Variants such as 604, Ting Xiang, Xiao Hong, Khun Poh, Musang King and Black Thorn have started falling from trees.
“This year, the prices are expected to be more affordable due to the long season,” he added.
Tan said some trees were exposed to rain and prolonged hot weather which affected their flowering and fruiting.
“A few trees that were well looked after may even produce up to four waves of fruits this season,” he said, adding that it took 100 to 120 days from the flowering stage until the fruits mature and drop.
Tan said many orchards received orders from China but he is expecting plenty of durian for the local market too.
Among customers at his stall in Paya Terubong was tourist Samantha Lee, 30, from China.
“I came with my mother to visit Malaysia for a week and today is our last day.
“We purposely came to try the fresh fruit here because we only get frozen ones back home.
“It tastes so much better. I wished we could’ve stayed longer,” she said.
Another Chinese tourist Chen Humei, 36, said it was her first time in Penang tasting fresh Musang King.
“I had my first durian in China about 15 years ago and immediately fell in love with it.
“Then, I started to explore different types and found the durian in Penang tastes the best.
“Here I am, my first fresh Musang King. It is amazing,” she said.
Penang Ah Teik Zai Durian stall owner Teoh Theng Hin, 36, said as of now, the durian prices were still high as it was the beginning of the season.“When the season peaks in July, prices should be slightly cheaper than last year.
“For a start, we have Musang King, Black Thorn, 222, 666 and Kunyit.
“By mid-June, we shall have more varieties, from 20 to 30 types, to choose from,” he said when met at his stall in Jalan Burmah.
