Volcanic durian from southern Thailand creates year-long waitlist

[snoop1130]

 

A surge in demand has led to a year-long waitlist for the unique volcanic durian grown exclusively in southern Thailand, which boasts a GAP certification ensuring its safety and quality. This particular variety is reported to be twice as delicious as the commonly known Monthong durian.

 

At the heart of this phenomenon is Saiyut Jannsawang’s orchard in Na Khao Sia village, Trang province. Saiyut, a retired agricultural officer, turned to durian farming post-retirement and now manages a 15-rai (approximately 6-acre) plantation, the first in southern Thailand to cultivate volcanic soil durian. The orchard, which is the only one in the region, has received a GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification from the Department of Agricultural Extension, verifying it as a chemical-free durian farm.

 

The orchard houses 220 durian trees, including varieties like Monthong, Chanee, Kan Yao, Nok Krachib, Long Lap Lae, Kradum, and Puang Manee. However, due to a recent drought, only around 130 trees bore fruit this year, reducing the yield by 30%. Despite this, today marked the first cut of the season, with the initial harvest of Monthong durians weighing between 3 and 6 kilogrammes and selling at 230 baht per kilogramme.

 

Since last year, over 300 customers have pre-ordered these durians, drawn by their creamy texture, rich flavour, thin shells, and small seeds. The orchard sees consistent foot traffic as customers come to purchase the sought-after volcanic durians directly.

 

Previously, the orchard sold fallen durians, offering them pre-peeled for customers to sample before buying. This year marks the second year of direct sales from the farm, ensuring customers can inspect and exchange any damaged fruits. The farm expects to produce around 4,000 to 5,000 kilogrammes of durians, generating over 1 million baht in revenue, although the initial target was 3 million baht.

 

 

Farmers have been visiting to study the grafting techniques used to strengthen the trees, eliminating the need for support ropes throughout the durian’s lifespan. They also learn about protecting the fruit with red, blue, and white bags to prevent damage from animals like squirrels. During the selling season, Saiyut wears red clothing daily, a personal ritual believed to attract prosperity and customers.

 

High demand

 

Saiyut shared that this year’s well-prepared harvest includes around 5,000 durians from 130 trees. The organic volcanic durian farming method has doubled the yield, with each fruit weighing between 3 and 6 kilogrammes. However, the high demand means there isn’t enough supply, especially with the 300 advance orders from last year.

 

The standout features of Saiyut’s durians include a thin shell, just half a centimetre thick, and a creamy texture that melts in the mouth without any fibrous strands. Customers have praised the durians for their rich, balanced sweetness and creaminess, making them twice as delightful as the regular Monthong variety.

 

The orchard’s highlight is the unique blend of creamy and sweet flavours in the durians, which surpasses the taste of typical Monthong durians by twofold. Customers who have tasted the fruit describe it as exceptionally delicious, further fueling the high demand for these volcanic durians, reported KhaoSod.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-27

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[rwill]

I can hardly wait...

[harryviking]

Lol! I find that fruit the worst and most disgusting thing I have ever tried! 🤮

[Stocky]

I like durian, one of my favourite treats, but I've not encountered Volcanic durian and am wondering how it got it's name - there are no volcanoes in Thailand.

[chickenslegs]

13 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I like durian, one of my favourite treats, but I've not encountered Volcanic durian and am wondering how it got it's name - there are no volcanoes in Thailand.

There are two volcanoes in Thailand but they are both extinct. This means they have not erupted in the past 10,000 years and are not likely to erupt again. The first is Doi Pha Khok Hin Fu. The other is Phanom Rung.

https://homework.study.com/explanation/does-thailand-have-any-volcanoes.html

 

So there will be volcanic soil in those areas.

 

That doesn't explain "volcanic" durian in southern Thailand.

Edited June 28 by chickenslegs
To add the last sentence.

[Stocky]

37 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

That doesn't explain "volcanic" durian in southern Thailand

Exactly.

 

38 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

There are two volcanoes in Thailand but they are both extinct

OK, so there are no active volcanoes in Thailand if you wish to be pedantic

[ujayujay]

1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

There are two volcanoes in Thailand but they are both extinct. This means they have not erupted in the past 10,000 years and are not likely to erupt again. The first is Doi Pha Khok Hin Fu. The other is Phanom Rung.

https://homework.study.com/explanation/does-thailand-have-any-volcanoes.html

 

So there will be volcanic soil in those areas.

 

That doesn't explain "volcanic" durian in southern Thailand.

There are no extinct volcanoes, dormant volcanoes is the correct term. Ask the volcanologist you trust😉

[rwill]

In Sisaket they have been selling lava durian for quite awhile.

 

Isaan "Lava Durian" at Suan Phu Ngaam (สวนพูงาม) - Year of the Durian

[AboutThaim]

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

I like durian, one of my favourite treats, but I've not encountered Volcanic durian and am wondering how it got it's name - there are no volcanoes in Thailand.

I think it comes from the soil produced from volcanic eruptions.  Obviously these volcanoes are long extinct.  Out here in the east they grow what is known locally as lava durian.  Most farms are up in the hills where the soil is red and I believe is weathered lava. These durian do not have the obnoxious smell that I remember from my first visit to Thailand many years ago.

[Moneyhonour]

In Sisaket provence they also grow Lava Durian near Khun Han

[PETERTHEEATER]

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

I like durian, one of my favourite treats, but I've not encountered Volcanic durian and am wondering how it got it's name - there are no volcanoes in Thailand.

The odour emanating from a an active volcano is disgusting whereas the smell emanating from a ripe durian is......Hang on!

[AboutThaim]

18 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

The odour emanating from a an active volcano is disgusting whereas the smell emanating from a ripe durian is......Hang on!

Is not bad at all if it's lava durian. I carry them in the car and hardly notice the smell.  What smell there is, is not unpleasant.

[thecyclist]

4 hours ago, harryviking said:

Lol! I find that fruit the worst and most disgusting thing I have ever tried! 🤮

That was my reaction the first time I tasted it, but this fruit grows on you. Now it's my favorite. Truly the king of fruit.