D13 Golden Bun

Alright, let's chat about the D13 Golden Bun durian, or as some call it, "Hock Beng" or "Golden Bun" (金包). Now, don't go mixing it up with "Singapore Red Prawn" – that's a whole different durian story!

So, Where'd This Golden Goodness Come From?

Our D13 friend actually hails from Johor, Malaysia. So, when you are biting into a D13, you are getting a little taste of Johor's finest!

What Does It Look Like?

These guys are usually on the smaller side, like a "fun-sized" durian, often weighing less than 1.5 kg. They're kind of egg-shaped, a bit wider at the top, like they're wearing a little hat. Their husk is a fresh green, sometimes with a lighter, almost whitish tint.

Now, for the spikes – they're pretty solid and chubby. And here's a fun fact: you will often see a "bald spot" at the bottom, kind of like the Musang King, but without that fancy star pattern. There's also this neat raised rim of small thorns where the thorns meet the stem. It's like a little crown!

Let's Talk About the Best Part: The Flesh!

Okay, this is where the "Golden Bun" really shines! The flesh is this gorgeous, distinct reddish-orange, bright orange, or even bronze-gold color. It truly lives up to its name.

When it comes to taste, it's mostly sweet. Imagine a hint of floral vanilla – pretty fancy, right? Some folks say it has a tiny touch of bitterness at the end, which adds a nice little twist. It's generally a milder flavor compared to those super pungent durians that can clear a room. So, if you're a durian newbie, or just prefer a less "in-your-face" experience, the D13 is your golden ticket!

The texture? Oh, it's lovely. Think creamy, soft, and just a little bit sticky, with a nice moist feel. It's firmer than some of the squishier varieties, so it feels really satisfying to eat. The only minor "uh-oh" is that it tends to have large seeds. More flesh would be nice, but hey, you can't have it all, right?

The Scent-sational Lowdown

The D13 is a bit more subtle on the aroma front compared to its loud durian cousins. Some people swear it has a distinctive "gas-like" smell (don't worry, it's good gas!), while others just find it less overpowering. This is great news for those who aren't huge fans of the strong durian perfume. You can probably sneak a few of these into your car without needing to roll down all the windows!

Growing Up Golden: Conditions and Harvest

These D13 durians are true tropical babies. They love a warm, humid climate and prefer well-drained, fertile soil. They're not super picky about altitude, but they're happiest chilling at lower elevations. Growing them is like tending to any other fruit tree – lots of care, pest control, and making sure they get their nutrients.

When it's time to harvest, they don't get picked. Nope! They wait until they're perfectly ripe and then fall naturally from the tree. This ensures you're getting the absolute best flavor. And to keep them super fresh, they're usually collected bright and early in the morning. Talk about breakfast in bed!

When Can You Get Your Hands on One?

In Malaysia, the main durian party, including for D13, typically runs from May to August, sometimes even stretching into September. But wait, there's more! You can often find them during a smaller "secondary season" towards the end of the year, from around October/November to January/February, though there might be less variety then.

Thanks to all the clever agricultural folks and modern tech, you can actually find D13s pretty much year-round to some extent. Johor is a major player in this, so they help keep that golden goodness flowing!

So, there you have it – the D13 Golden Bun durian in a nutshell! Have you ever tried one?