I just came back from a Black Thorn durian session with Poey. I’ve been eagerly awaiting to taste this particular durian since I inquired about it. It’s much more expensive than Musang King (currently going for an average of RM 22 / kg), which is an overrated culvitar IMHO.
It’s not easy to get either. I dropped by several times and the only stall that sells it says they don’t have stock and I finally got the guy’s number so I can call and check if they have it before I drive over.
The banner advertising the Black Thorn durian says that it won some kind of award in 2012, which is probably their justification for the high price. The Chinese words seem to translate literally – hei tze (black thorn).
The NEW Black Thorn durian goes for RM 30 / kg. The price didn’t budge until I asked the dude if I can get a lowered price if I come today. He offered it at RM 25 / kg.
Note that only three (3) durians in the topmost row in the display picture are Black Thorn, the others are just chucked there. The interesting thing I noticed about Black Thorn durian is that it has a flat bottom, much like Musang King:
There are no thorns at the end of the durian (opposite from the stalk). This particular durian cultivar originates from Penang and another interesting quality that distinguishes it besides the flat bottom is the presence of a longkang (drain) like Teka durians, except this looks more…er, anatomical in nature. 
Black Thorn pretty much tastes like advertised – the durian flesh is a bright hue of orange, a color some people like and feel is more palatable. It starts out sweet and has a bitter end note, like XO durians – just as intense but not quite so long lasting. It’s creamy and sticky – the flesh comes off the seed well.
It also has little to no fiber, which is a plus point…it makes the durian coat the palate easily and overwhelm it it does – this is a very rich durian, make no mistake about it.
It’s a medium to large sized durian (ours is almost 3 kg) and the others are pretty much in the same weight league. It was sold for RM 65 for this 2.6 kg durian.
However, there are abundant seeds inside – counted 14 seeds and despite having medium seeds (I don’t call that small seeds, misleading advertising) it does have a lot of flesh on it – quality flesh to boot.
I’ll rate this as a not very complex durian flavor wise but it’s a good, rich and satisfying one. It’s the *KING* of the King of Fruits, price-wise at least. I wouldn’t say it’s worth the price though, but definitely a must try for all durian fans. 😀
wah, never seen these before, you must be a durian lover, i think you have posted quite alot on durians right xD
Yeah, these are new durians! 🙂
Well, new compared to all the other strains anyway, durians need time to grow. It won an award in 2012, and they’re selling it at RM 30 / kg, much more expensive than Musang King.
I got the dude to sell it at RM 25 / kg or I’m not coming though. Haha!
I know them second best among the SS2 durian stalls. I love durians and since I haven’t had this before, it’s a must try. I don’t think it’s worth the price if you ask me, but it’s worth a try for all durian fans. 😀
didn’t get to try this at Balik Pulau because they are running out of stock 🙁
i prefer bitter durian!
Hello Constance! 🙂
Yeah, the stock is very unpredictable here too! I’ve been trying to eat it for quite some time, once the guy PROMISED us there was stock, made us wait a couple of *hours* and told us the truck from Penang broke down. 😡
I made him call me the next time there was stock…and reminded him about the hours long wait last time so he sold it at RM 25 / kg instead of the listed price of RM 30 / kg.
It’s sweet and has a trailing bitter aftertaste like XO durians, just not as intense. 😀
i like my durian not too soft and not too hard, come with a bitter taste
Heh! I don’t think this would suit your durian tastes then. 🙂
It’s not bitter, it has a surprisingly sweet start that ends bitter (like how XO durians ends, but not as intense). Peculiar traits, I think it’s a cross-cultivar of some sort.
It’s just right though, the texture, but it’s not bitter throughout, so I’ll stick with XO durians if you like pure bitter.
XO is one of my default buys too, I just really wanted to try Black Thorn coz it’s new. 😀
i like durian too~ XD
Yeah, it’s awesome stuff eh? 😀
gosh, it might be YEARS since i last ate a real durian (i gotta confess that i’m not a fan), but you’ve got my curiosity piqued. i like how the flesh for this black thorn one looks both firm & creamy at the same time (cos i have bad memories of mushy durian!). i hadn’t heard of black thorn before this, but will keep it in mind 😀
Yeah, this isn’t the mushy kind, the flesh is creamy so that makes it rather firm, but not as firm as a full fiber durian, which we have in Sarawak – a bright red species. 🙂
It’s a new cultivar, so I just went to check it out. I’m a huge fan of durians! 😀
Gosh!!! Durians again? Watch out – doctors make pretty good business during the durian/fruit season here. I love durian desserts but not really a fan of the fruit – I would not go out and buy…but would not mind eating if somebody buys and gives me. Too bad the season would be over by the time you come home… Wink! Wink! LOL!!!
Haha! True that, but I’ve never been susceptible to heat and all that. 🙂
Alas! I’ll love to have a go at some of the Sarawak durians…would the season be over by the time I’m back?
Oh well too bad then.
I was hoping to get some of the wild bright red durians.
No worries, dinner on me buddy! Thanks for the ride! 😀
wow that is really good man..
the king of the king… I must go and try these few days…
In SS2 durian street?.. just few minutes from my house…
Haha! Well, price-wise anyway, since they’re selling it much higher than Musang King.
It’s in SS2 durian street – awesome name for it! 🙂
I noticed a bunch of durian places while passing by Cheras too, would love to check them out. 😀
Hey! You didn’t call me for the durian session! *sulk*
OMG I forgot sorry Eve! 😡
I forgot to call two other friends too.
Let’s have another session if you want to. There’s still Black Thorn (have to call and ask) and other durians around. 😀
seriously, how much durian have u been eating in the past month??? :O :O
That’s a very good question! 🙂
Haha! I started before we went on that long drive in Balik Papan, Penang for Red Prawn and stopped for a while then started again.
I don’t know how much I’ve had but it’s bound to be plenty! 😀
Black Thorn, must mark down this name but as you said might not be available all time. I want to try my luck on this coming Thursday since it is a PH. Duno mention your name got discount or not…ahhahahahhah
Yeah, it’s not widely available here, it’s a Penang durian.
However, I saw that the stall beside it put up a sign saying “Black Thorn” not long after this though – it seems that the monopoly by this place is over. I’m not sure if the other place really has Black Thorn though – haven’t eaten there since a bad experience a while ago where they tried to pass off an unripe durian (although they replaced it, it’s their hard sell that puts me off).
The Dr Durian guys are okay, they’re not hard sell and they’re quite honest.
Tell the guy there you’re with the dude he made wait for a couple of hours! Haha!
He’ll give you RM 25 / kg. Just in case, Facebook or Whatsapp me and I’ll call the guy in advance to let him know you’re coming. 😀
Hi there, saw this post while Googling. Do you mind to share the location & contact for this Black Thorn durian?
Have not tried this before & would like to give it a shot!
Hello Choy! 🙂
I had it in SS2 in Petaling Jaya last time. I believe more stalls are carrying it now, saw a new one in TTDI that was in the papers. Unfortunately I don’t have the contact anymore, lost my phone a few times since 2013.
Do yo have seeds available of the best Durians, you are tasting on different places?