D24 Sultan

D24 Sultan Durian. The chill uncle of durians.

You know, the one who’s not trying too hard, doesn’t scream for attention like his flashy cousin Musang King, but when you take a bite? Oh man, you remember why he was once the big boss.

Before Musang King started flexing on social media and showing up in every dessert imaginable, D24 was the "one". The king of cool. The Sultan of sweetness. And honestly? D24 still holds up. It is still one of our favorites.

A Little History, No Boring Stuff

D24 first popped up in Bukit Merah, Perak. They officially named him “D24” back in 1934. “D” stands for Durio, and “24”? Yep, that means he was the 24th official durian to get recognized. Like getting your name on a trophy shelf, but for fruit.

He got called "Sultan" because back then, there weren’t many of these trees around. So the fruit was rare, fancy, and often saved for actual sultans—Malaysian royalty. Eating D24 used to be like dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant… if the restaurant was someone’s backyard.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, D24 had its moment. Big plantations, happy farmers, and people lining up with baskets. But then newer durian varieties came along—Musang King, Black Thorn, Tupai King—and suddenly D24 wasn’t as trending as it used to be anymore.

But guess what? D24 never left entirely. You can still occasionally find in ice cream, cakes, mooncakes, and those sticky durian pastes that somehow end up all over your fingers and phone screen. However, if you ask kids nowadays about durian, they will likely only know about Musang King and nothing about D24.

What Does It Look Like?

• Size : Not huge, not tiny—just right. Think of it as the porridge of durians.
• Shape : Sometimes lopsided. Sometimes almost heart-shaped. Sometimes looks like it rolled off a cliff and said, “Eh, I’ll just stay like this.”
• Husk : Green-yellow armor covered in thorns. Thorns are spaced out like people in an elevator—no crowding here. And at the bottom? There’s often a little brown ring, like a mini tattoo.

Inside? Let’s Crack In

• Color : From creamy white to mustard yellow. Some look like they’ve been sunbathing.
• Texture : Creamy, really thick, and smooth—but a bit drier than Musang King. If you like a little chew in your durian, D24’s got your back.
• Seeds : It depends, as with most durians. While durians from older trees typically have smaller, thinner seeds, some D24 varieties can still have large ones.

Taste Test: How’s It Roll?

This guy’s got balance. Sweetness with just a hint of bitterness—like life, but tastier and less stressful.

It also has a slightly milky taste, making it super friendly for first-timers who think durian just smells like smelly socks. By the way, D24 from older trees usually has a nice bittersweet taste. If you're lucky enough, you might even get to taste the "gassy" ones, which are usually associated with freshly dropped durians.

Smell-wise? Strong, but not face-melting like some others. Think of it as the polite shout instead of the full-on scream.

And here’s the fun part: let it sit a bit longer in the shell, and it typically ferments. The taste transforms, almost as if it's been to a party and had one too many drinks! For those who enjoy D24 but crave a bolder, more pungent flavor and aroma, seek out its "XO" clone. It's often dubbed "D24 XO"—a fitting name for the durian equivalent of a fine cognac. Pretty fancy, right?

Some say caramel. Some say butter. Others swear they tasted onion. Yeah, we’re not kidding. It’s complex. Like your favorite uncle who listens to jazz and knows how to cook.

Season

June to August is prime time (in Penang). Then a smaller encore from October to January. So plan your durian runs accordingly.

Final Word

So even though D24 Sultan isn’t stealing headlines anymore, he’s still a legend in his own lane. Reliable, flavorful, and quietly awesome. And it will remain one of our top favorites for the time being.

Think of him as the old-school jam you throw on after the hype songs get boring. He might not have millions of followers, but he’s got loyal fans who know what’s up.