Yes for me at least there does seem to be an addictive quality to durian.
Coincidentally I feel the same with pawpaw but maybe a little weaker.
Can’t think of any other fruits I could say this about
Yes for me at least there does seem to be an addictive quality to durian.
Coincidentally I feel the same with pawpaw but maybe a little weaker.
Can’t think of any other fruits I could say this about
unddoubtedly members of the pawpaw family also have addictive qualities, i don’t have much access to pawpaws(i wish whole foods sell them at some point), but when i was in the tropics at the time of year when annona members were in season, i’d eat sweet sop and cherimoya by the buckets-- and have nothing else–for breakfast.
For me, longan has this medicinal/addictive quality. The stronger flavored varieties in particular. I think it’s an unusual quirk of my physiology. It makes me lighter and happier. I’ve not heard anyone else share this experience with longan. I can sit and eat pounds of it, get up and I’m all high fives and karate kicks.
About 30 years ago I spent 2 weeks in KL Malaysia on a teaching contract. I had an Indian taxi driver, who went by the name ‘Patrick’, that reliably picked me up every morning at my hotel, delivered me to my destination and returned for me in the afternoon. We became good friends and also served as a tour guide for my wife and I. He raved continuously about Durians and finally stopped at a fruit stand to buy one which he cut up and placed in plastic bags for our later enjoyment. And, yes, they are very strong smelling but not that offensive. Our hotel had a sign at the registration desk asking patrons to not bring Durians into the hotel. We thought we could avoid detection by having pieces sealed in a plastic bag, but realized later we had left a ‘scent trail’ up to our room. We kept them in the refrigerator, but room service knew exactly what we had done and winked at us.
We apologized to ‘Patrick’ for ‘stinking up’ his cab but he told us not to worry; his Malay customers would welcome it. Indeed, after a while, you don’t notice the smell. The flavor however is unforgettable.
Patrick told us that, when ripe, they simply fall off the tree and if one owned such a tree they could make a very good income merely picking them up and trucking them down the peninsula to Singapore where they would fetch high prices. The caveat though is that one should not be under a Durian tree when the fruit falls as serious injury could result.
I would certainly look forward to Durian flavored Pawpaw. Let me know where I can buy such a tree. I assume they would not present the same danger as a falling Durian.
Awesome story! Thanks for sharing!
I would go on the durian tours sponsored by Year of the Durian but it will never happen with my wife’s loathing of the king of fruits.
Hopefully anyone who reads this and knows both durian and pawpaw can keep us updated if they come across any durianesque Pawpaws.
I hope to have a report on my seedling in a few months too.
I’ve eaten a few Durians in my years of traveling . They are a very tasty and unusual fruit. If do some soils science you might unlock the secret of flavor. It sure would do wonders for the Pawpaws.
the smell doesn’t put me off. if these grow and it’s got durian taste to it, please please consider me for seeds or scions. I would love that so much
the last time I had fresh durian it was illegally smuggled somehow, and I was lucky enough to get one from a random friend of a client of mine. I did not ask questions, I don’t want to know how it arrived, it was delicious.
edit… I could tell you exactly what durian smells like but I believe this is a G rated website.
Will keep everyone posted.
So far it seems the fruit size on this seedling - at least in current growing conditions- may be on the small side. That’s a bummer but still will have to see what it tastes like.
I grew up in the panhandle of Florida. Never tasted Durian in my life. My first trip to Singapore I tasted Durian for the first time and it was delicious and the smell was pleasing to me. When ever I’m in an asian country it’s top on my list of things to eat. Lucky for me because I’ll be retiring in the Philippines Durian is easily purchased. 
Sounds awesome!
The idea of pawpaw in general is very exciting to me! Although I’m in Florida I’m too far north to grow any of the anonnas without protection! I’m tired of protecting trees from hard freezes! The idea of a fruit in the anonna family that I can successfully grow unprotected gives me goosebumps!!! Lol! I love durian, cherimoya, mango and coconut more than pretty much any other fruit and the fact pawpaw can have all these flavors is just amazing! Thanks @TrilobaTracker for posting this. I’m interested in all things pawpaw! I’m anxiously awaiting @Blake to start selling them again hin June!
BTW if you actually have a durian flavored pawpaw you will probably become a rich man very soon!
Hahah yeah man!
I’m with you. Love all those tropicals too. It is indeed crazy that pawpaw can have touches of those flavors.
I agree that a durian pawpaw would be incredibly valuable.
Im likely not going to be that guy but maybe someone out there will!
Do you have more information about this selection? Picture of fruit, flesh, name or sample number… anything.
It really sounds great! ![]()
Whats the best source for Pawpaws these days?
Peaceful Heritage Nursery but they sell out fast (or used to). One Green World has been good for me.
Hidden Springs Nursery too but they ship bare root which I think is a recipe for disaster. Unless you drive up there and pick them up in containers.
It was 4-25, aka Piña Colada. This one apparently has amazing flavor but has not done well in field trials. it’s highly unlikely, according to KSU, that it will be named and released.
However, as I mentioned before I don’t think it would have been so popular (or nicknamed piña colada) if every fruit tasted like durian.
So, it may have been a total fluke.
OR maybe I should rethink this - millions of people love durian so maybe that IS why people loved it; they just had never eaten durian before to make the connection ![]()
Thanks for the info. I see you already mentioned 4-25 before in another thread.
Because of mentioned issues I guess it won’t be released but I’m looking forward to your seedling report.
‘Pina Colada’ pawpaw really is on a different level. I have it in our orchard. It grows slow and seems hard to establish. KSU initially really liked it, but due to it being difficult to propagate via grafting they have been hesitant to pursue it as an official release. I successfully grafted it and have 2-3 of them in our orchard. The fruit is MASSIVE.
On the durian note, being a fan of durian I have noticed before that high quality pawpaws can definitely have a very durian like texture and also a subtle hint of a durian like flavor.
Count me in on a durian flavored pawpaw. I have some cambodian coworkers and they’re always bringing in new and exotic fruits to try. I was hesitant to try it based on the smell, but once you get the taste the associated scent lessens…or at least it did with me.