This year, 13 varieties of the spiky, pungent fruit competed for the top title in Sabah’s annual durian competition. They were assessed based on shape, colour, aroma, taste, as well as the size of their seeds.
Judges crowned the Keningau King – a pumpkin-shaped cultivar from the interior district of Keningau, with thick yellow flesh and tiny seeds – the champion.
RED DURIANS STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT
Aside from the prized entrants, some unsubmitted varieties on display also stole the hearts – and tastebuds – of judges.
Among them were the durio graveolens, known locally as dalit, a wild species native to Borneo.
Dalit durians are instantly recognisable by their glossy, vividly coloured flesh, which can range from deep red to bright orange or yellow. While there are 13 species in this family, only five are edible for humans. .
Source: CNA
