Lipan

Alright, let's talk about the Lipan durian, which is seriously a kinda big deal, especially if you are ever in Penang, Malaysia. I mean, this durian's got a name that will make you chuckle – "Centipede Durian"! Or, if you are feeling fancy, "Yah Kang" in Hokkien, which also means centipede.

So, What's With the Wacky Name?

Honestly, no one's 100% sure why it's called the Centipede Durian. Some folks reckon it's because the thorns look like a centipede's wiggling legs. Others whisper about a gazillion centipedes hanging out under the original mother tree. Yeah, you heard that right, centipedes! The original tree used to live near a snake temple in Sungai Ara, Penang – talk about a wild neighborhood! Sadly, that grand old tree is no longer with us, but don't fret, its durian-y descendants are still going strong.

Two Flavors of Centipede? Who Knew!

Apparently, there are two versions of this quirky durian: Lipan Putih (White Lipan) and Lipan Merah (Red Lipan). But let's be real, if anyone's talking about Lipan durian, they are almost certainly gushing about the Lipan Putih. The Red one? Not so much a crowd-pleaser, and it's got this deeper reddish flesh. Stick with the white.

Let's Get Down to the Nitty-Gritty: What's it Like?

The Fruit Itself:

• Shape: Imagine a slim, elongated durian. Not your typical bowling ball, that's for sure.
• Size: It's generally on the smaller to medium side. Perfect for a personal durian adventure!
• Outside Look: The husk is usually a greenish-brown to yellowish-green. But watch out for those thorns! They're sharp, can be pretty long (like 1 to 2.5 cm!), and point in all sorts of crazy directions – some are even hooked. Oh, and the stem? Around 6 to 9 cm long.
• Opening It Up: Sometimes, those seams can be a real pain to crack open. Like, they decide to take the scenic route with challenging curves.

The Good Stuff Inside (The Flesh!):

• Color: This is where it gets interesting. It's usually yellowish, but it can range from a milky white with a hint of yellow to a clear pastel yellow. The yellower it is, the sweeter it's supposed to be. The Lipan Putih is known for its pale yellow flesh, sometimes so thin you can practically see the seeds peeking through.
• Texture: Think fine, almost shimmery, super creamy, and smooth. Some even say it's like a mousse! It's usually pretty wet when fresh, but a few folks have mentioned it can be a tad firm too.
• Taste: Here's the kicker – it's sweet, rich, and creamy. Some describe its unique taste as a magical blend of coconut and milk chocolate. Seriously, coconut and milk chocolate! There's usually a tiny hint of bitterness playing peek-a-boo with the sweetness, but the sweet definitely wins. If you're lucky enough to eat one right after it drops from the tree (within an hour!), you might even get a slight alcoholic kick or a numbing sensation. It's considered an "appetizer" durian because of its delicate taste and fine texture. It's like the elegant first course of your durian feast.
• Seeds: Most of the time, you'll find big seeds. But hey, some older trees might surprise you with tiny, flat ones. You'll typically get 1 to 3 cloves per pod.

Where and When Can You Find This Gem?

• Hometown: It's a proud Penang native, especially from a spot called Balik Pulau.
• Harvest Time: This is a hot tip! The Lipan durian is one of the early birds in the durian season, often showing up with another variety called D604. These fruits drop pretty quickly from the tree, so the harvest season is super short – like 10 to 14 days, tops! If you're a true durian connoisseur, you'll want to snag these bad boys in the early to mid-season for the best quality. The taste can dip a bit towards the end.
• Finding It: Don't expect to find this durian just anywhere outside of Penang. It's got a huge fan club locally, and the supply sells out faster than you can say "centipede!"

So, Should You Try It?

Look, the Lipan durian isn't really for durian newbies. It's got a unique, distinctive flavor that might throw off a first-timer. But if you've already got a few durian experiences under your belt and are ready to explore something truly special, the Lipan is definitely one to put on your durian bucket list.

Have you ever tried a Lipan durian before, or does the idea of a "Centipede Durian" just crack you up?