D168 IOI
A balance of bittersweet notes Thick, firm, creamy, soft Medium-High PopularityA premium variety with pale to light golden yellow flesh that offers a consistent sweet-dominant flavor with just a hint of bitterness. The texture is reliably creamy and soft.
Price Range
RM30 - RM40 per kg
Season
June - August
Taste
A balance of bittersweet notes
Aroma
Moderate
Where to Find
You should be able to find this at some durian orchards and roadside durian stalls in and around Balik Pulau and around George Town.
Flavor Profile
Characteristics
Personal Comment for D168 IOI
Inspect the Durian and Confirm Prices
Always begin by examining the displayed durians. If many appear subpar, be more caution and it's wise to look elsewhere.
Durian prices are highly variable, much like currency exchange rates. What you paid previously, even recently, might not apply today or tomorrow. Therefore, always confirm the price, even if a tag is visible, to avoid surprises after packing (e.g., being told the displayed price was for a different durian).
And given the highly personal nature of taste – everyone experiences flavors like sweetness and bitterness uniquely – it's best to trust your own palate by requesting a tasting from the seller.
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D163 Hor Lor
Also called Hulu. Named after its elongated shape resembling a bottle gourd ('Hor Lor' in Hokkien), this durian has a peculiar curvy inner compartment. The pale yellow flesh is very creamy with a slightly dry consistency and a tinge of bitterness. Originating in Balik Pulau, Penang, it won the state durian competition in 1987. If the durian hits the ground hard when it falls, the flesh could develop a stronger bitter aftertaste.
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About D168 IOI. Now, some folks call it Durian Mas Muar, or Hajah Hasmah, and get this, sometimes it even goes by "Wang Zhong Wang" which basically means "King of Kings." Pretty fancy, huh?
Where'd it Come From?
So, this durian's roots are in Muar, Johor, right here in Malaysia. It officially got its name, D168, back in '89. As for the "IOI" part? Some say it was the original owner's car plate number. Maybe they were just super proud of their ride! Or, it could be some big agricultural company that really pushed this variety. Either way, it's got a story.
What's It Look Like?
Now, when you see a D168, it's usually a good medium to large size, like a nice, hefty cantaloupe, weighing in at about 1.3 to 2 kg. But every now and then, you might stumble upon a monster that's 3 or 4 kg! It's usually round or a bit oval, almost perfectly egg-shaped, which is pretty neat.
The skin's a green-brown or brownish-green color, and man, is it spiky! Seriously, it's got these slim, dense spikes pointing in every direction, like a little porcupine. Big ones, small ones, straight ones, curvy ones – a whole spiky party! But here's a little secret for the durian pros: the stem is usually straight and thick, with a consistent width. And the crown, where the stem meets the spikes, is bald, surrounded by these spikes reaching outwards and upwards, kind of like the D24.
Now, despite all those formidable spikes, this guy is surprisingly easy to open. Seriously! The seams are a bit hidden, but those waves of thorns pointing every which way are actually little clues to where to pry it open. Pretty clever, right?
Let's Talk About the Good Stuff Inside
Okay, the best part: the flesh! It's usually a beautiful yellow-orange, sometimes a pale yellow, sometimes a vibrant gold or orange. It really pops!
The texture is fantastic. It's got medium-thick flesh that's dense, firm, and super creamy and soft. Some people even say it's a little milky and moist. Delicious!
And the taste? Oh, the taste! This is where the D168 IOI really shines. It's got this awesome, balanced flavor. You get a lovely, rich sweetness with a subtle hint of bitterness that just lingers. Some folks pick up notes of caramel, or a buttery, nutty taste, maybe even a little grassy. It's truly a good mix of bittersweet, so it's a great one for both durian veterans and newbies. They say the older the tree, the more bittersweet it gets, so that's something to look forward to!
As for the seeds, they're generally medium-sized. Not tiny like some of the super premium ones, but definitely not huge either, so you get a good amount of delicious flesh in every bite. Win-win!
A Few More Fun Facts
This durian tree is pretty generous, always bearing fruit and giving a good yield. It's a real workhorse! It's also a massive favorite for many durian lovers here in Malaysia, especially within the Malay community. It's commercially produced, so you know it's got that consistent, good quality.
And when's the best time to get your hands on one? Usually, the peak season for D168 IOI is June and July here in Malaysia. So mark your calendars!
Have you ever tried the D168 IOI, or does this sound like your kind of durian?