Tags: Exotic Food, Truly Pinoy Food and Drinks
By Anna Valmero
DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR— With its exotic yet delectable taste and overpowering smell, the durian has been called the “King of Fruits” and is synonymous with the Davao region.
During a trip to any public market in Davao, you would not miss the flock of tourists buying durian from locals, who, with precision due to long years of practice, could tell if the fruit is ripe by sniffing its spiny shell.
Often, tourists would request the help of local vendors to select the fruit for them and locals would gladly be of help. If you are lucky, they would even let you taste a newly opened durian.
Some of the biggest public markets where you can buy durian include the Toril, Agdao and Bankerohan markets. I chose Bankerohan based on recommendation by friends and friendly locals and also because it’s near my hotel.
Locals usually have their preferred market where to buy durian and most would oblige to tell you which market is closest to your place of accommodation for easier and faster travel.
When I got out of the taxi, I immediately recalled the durian as number one in my pasalubong list. The smell will surely guide you where to find it and would lead you the long line of durian stalls.
I spotted a stall that sells durian from Nenita’s (one of the famous and biggest producers in Davao, the other one is Golden Fruits) that’s been attracting plenty of customers.
Nenita’s runs a fruit stand along the corner of Marfori and San Pedro streets. It’s a good place to go and sample durian. Ate Gaya, one of the store vendors, is busy welcoming customers while two men are opening and scooping out durian’s whitish-yellowish meat for packaging in microwave-safe containers to keep the fruit fresh even on the flight back to Manila.
On the average, a five-kilo durian fruit produces about three kilos of fleshy meat; the rest of the weight is its shell. I decided to buy the fruit itself (packaged and stored in carton boxes). Locals tell me they also buy the fruit itself so it’s fresh when eaten.
In case you are not keen in bringing home a heavy box of durian, you can opt to buy durian bars and candies. A plastic pack of durian candies sell for about P15 each, or buy seven for P100. Durian candy bars sell three pieces for P100. These are a good pasalubong option because it saves you from carrying extra luggage while playing it safe since not all friends may like to eat fresh durian
Also, buying durian from the public market allows you to haggle. Prices range from P35 to P40 a kilo (remember, a medium-sized durian is about two kilos) and most often, vendors would give you a discount if you are buying in bulk. I bought eight packages of durian candy for P100 from this vendor who gladly threw in an extra durian bar for free.
As with buying other processed items, check for the expiration date. Ate Ning, from whom I bought the candies showed me the 2012 expiration dates of my candy bars, adding I could enjoy them until the New Year.
There are also stores selling durian jams, like the Rosalinda store fronting the corners of Marfori and Pichon streets. A 500mL (12oz) bottle of durian jam sells for P150.
Most local restaurants and cafes also serve durian milkshake. I had one during a trip to Samal Island. For P50, I was happy and “brain freezed” from a tall glass of milkshake. My verdict: awesomely delicious and a must-try. It leaves a little durian after taste but that is easily washed away by drinking water.
If you are a coffee lover, you can also try durian coffee.
As I was looking over my pasalubong package, which contained a plastic of charcoal to counter the durian’s strong smell, I was thinking of ways to serve durian when I get home.
Maybe we could make it as crepe filling or bake it into a cake. Or just like last time, enjoy it fresh while I watch my older brother pinch his nose while taking a bite.
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