Durian Botak

The Durian Botak: A Thorny Tale (Without the Thorns!)

Alright, durian lovers (and maybe even durian skeptics!), let’s talk about something a little out of the ordinary: the Durian Botak. Now, if you're picturing some kind of Frankenstein fruit where someone meticulously pulled out all the thorns, you're on the wrong track (although I do remember reading about a durian farmer who shaved off all the thorns from the durian in his stall… but that’s another story altogether!). 'Botak' simply means 'bald' in Malay, and that’s exactly what this little guy is — a durian that decided to skip the whole spiky fashion statement.

So, What's the Deal with This "Bald" Fruit?

Imagine this: a durian tree, happily growing along, and then BAM! One of its fruits decides to be a bit of a rebel. That's pretty much the story of the Durian Botak. It's a totally natural thing, usually because of some genetic hiccup or a spontaneous mutation. Think of it like a birthmark, but for a durian.

The first time one of these smooth operators popped up on the radar was back in 2007, chilling on a tree in Lombok, Indonesia, right alongside its regular, spiky siblings. Talk about being unique in the family! Here in Malaysia, we even have our own official version, registered as D172, which hails from Tangkak, Johor, since way back in 1989.

Seriously, finding one of these is like winning the durian lottery - the chances are apparently as low as one in a million! People have tried to grow them intentionally, but it's been quite the challenge. Apparently, it took a whopping 12 years and 50 tries to get a successful fruit from cuttings of that original Lombok tree. Dedication, right?

Looks Can Be Deceiving (Especially Without Thorns!)

Okay, so what does this thorn-free marvel actually look like?

• No Spikes! This is the big one. Its skin is super smooth, sometimes with tiny, barely-there nubs, but definitely no finger-pricking spikes. It can actually look a bit like a breadfruit or even a small coconut, which I guess saves you from having to wear welding gloves just to pick it up!

• Round and Small: Generally, it's a bit rounder and usually smaller than your average durian. Cute, almost!

• Pale Flesh: Inside, you'll typically find flesh that's a pale yellow to white.

• Less Stinky? Good news for those with sensitive noses - its aroma is usually not as pungent as other durians. You might even be able to sneak this one into a car without causing a riot!

• Sweet, But... It's still sweet and creamy, like a good durian should be. However, some folks say the taste isn't quite as intense or mind-blowing as the really popular thorny varieties. So, while it's certainly interesting, it might not dethrone your favorite Musang King just yet.

So, there you have it: the Durian Botak. It's a fascinating anomaly in the durian world, proving that even the king of fruits can sometimes decide to shed its royal armor. Have you ever been lucky enough to spot (or even taste!) one of these rare beauties?