D2 Dato Nina

...let me tell you about this grand old-timer of the durian world, the D2 Dato Nina. It's like that wise, slightly eccentric grandparent of all the durians out there.

A Blast from the Past

So, this D2 Dato Nina durian? It's been around forever! We're talking way back in 1934 when it got its official badge from the Malaysian Department of Agriculture. Can you imagine? That makes it one of the OG durians, a true vintage model. Its roots are deep in Melaka, a state famous for its history. Now, about "Dato Nina" herself... honestly, we don't know much. She's a bit of a mystery, but she must've been pretty involved in farming to have a durian named after her. The original tree, the "mother tree" if you will, was apparently chilling in a place called Ayer Molek.

What's She Like, Really?

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of this fruit, shall we?

• Size and Shape: She's not a giant, usually weighing in at a respectable 1.5 to 2.2 kilograms. Think of her as medium-sized. Her shape is a bit like an elongated egg, or sometimes she's a bit more rounded. But here's a fun fact: if she's a bit lopsided or kidney-shaped (from a grafted tree), that's usually the good stuff, the cream of the crop!

• Her Outfit (The Husk): Dato Nina's got a pretty thin skin (or husk, in durian terms). This means she's a bit delicate, so don't go dropping her! Her outfit is a cool green-bronze, and her spikes are these short, odd, uniform little hooks. Kinda cute, actually. But here's the kicker: she can be a real pain to open! There's often a stubborn core or a "shoulder" near the stem that just doesn't want to budge. Her spike tips are brown, while the rest is that cool green-bronze.

• Her "Neck" (The Stalk): Short and chunky, just like a good durian stalk should be.

• The Good Stuff Inside (The Flesh): Ah, the main event! The flesh of the D2 Dato Nina is a lovely, muted orangey-yellow or bronze. I've heard some old-timers say it used to be more reddish-orange, but hey, things change, right? It's wonderfully thick, smooth, and creamy, with a really fine texture. And get this – the pulp often looks all bulgy and wrinkly with thin skin, like it's bursting with flavor! Each little pod usually has two decent-sized seeds, but sometimes you get those tiny, shriveled ones, which are basically just bonus flesh. The best part? The flesh is so thick it practically fills the entire pod. Yum!

• Her Personality (Taste Profile): This is where she truly shines. The D2 Dato Nina is famous for her complex taste. People always say she's "sweet with a distinct bitterness" – or "tian zhong dai ku" if you're feeling fancy. She's generally rich, super creamy, and sweet, but with a nice, gentle bitterness that keeps things interesting. And yep, she's got a strong aroma, so you'll know she's in the house!

• Fame and Fortune (or Lack Thereof): Now, despite being an amazing durian, you won't see D2 Dato Nina everywhere like, say, Musang King. Why? Well, she's a bit of a low-yielder, even if her trees flower like crazy. Plus, that whole "hard to open" thing isn't great for business. You might spot her sporadically at durian stalls, especially in Melaka, Penang, and Perak. But if you do, grab her, because she can disappear fast! Because she's so rare, sometimes folks in other countries might mistake her for a simple "kampung" (village) durian. Trust me, she's anything but! You're more likely to find old D2 trees scattered around than big orchards full of them.

Her Secret Identity!

And finally, for a bit of a laugh: the D2 Dato Nina also goes by a super romantic Chinese name, 'Meng Zhong Qing Ren' (梦中情人), which translates to 'Dream Lover.' Isn't that just precious? The funny thing is, another durian, D103, also shares this name. Yeah, I know, super confusing, like two celebrities with the same stage name!

So, there you have it - the D2 Dato Nina. A historical, delicious, and slightly temperamental durian that's definitely worth seeking out if you ever get the chance!