New 'Premium' Durian Varieties: Are They Just Mao Shan Wang Remarketed? | Talking Point

Summary

The video explores the world of durian varieties, addressing concerns about the authenticity of newer, more expensive strains like 'Black Gold' and 'Tupai King'. It investigates whether these are genuine or marketing ploys. Through a durian tasting event, interviews with durian sellers, and a visit to the origin of 'Tupai King', the video uncovers that many premium durians sold are mislabeled, with 'Tupai King' in Singapore likely being regular 'Maan Wang'. The key takeaway is to buy from reputable sellers to ensure you get what you pay for.

Takeaways

• 📈 Durian varieties have diversified in the market, with some commanding higher prices than the popular Maan Wang variety.
• 🤔 Consumer skepticism exists about the legitimacy of newer durian varieties, questioning if they are genuine or just marketing tactics.
• 🎉 The durian party organized by Class 95 radio station highlights the social and cultural significance of durian in local communities.
• 💸 The high cost of newer durian varieties like 'Tupai King' can be attributed to their rarity and unique flavors, which are not always accurately represented in the market.
• 🌱 The 'Black Thorn' (D200) and 'Black Gold' varieties are examples of newer durians that are more expensive due to their intense flavors and limited supply.
• 📊 The premium pricing of durians like 'King of Kings' and 'Black Gold' is often due to their rarity, which constitutes less than 10% of total durian output in Malaysia.
• 🌳 'Old tree' durians are marketed as having more robust flavors, but the term can be misleading as it does not necessarily correlate with quality or taste.
• 🔍 The authenticity of durian varieties like 'Tupai King' sold in Singapore is questionable, as the original cultivator has not exported to Singapore.
• 🍽️ A taste test conducted with experts revealed that some durians marketed as premium varieties were actually regular Maan Wang durians, indicating potential mislabeling in the market.
• ⚖️ The panel of durian experts concluded that transparency and honesty from sellers are crucial to ensure consumers receive what they pay for, and to maintain trust in the market.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the viewer Andrew yo regarding durian varieties?

Andrew yo is concerned whether the different labels of durian varieties he has seen in the market are just marketing gimmicks or genuine varieties.

What is the average cost difference between new durian varieties and the popular Maan Wang?

The new durian varieties can cost on average about 50 to up to 90% more than the popular Maan Wang.

What is the significance of the durian party organized by Class 95?

The durian party organized by Class 95 is significant because it provides an opportunity for the viewer Andrew and others to taste various durian varieties for free, which is part of the investigation into the authenticity of these varieties.

What is the most expensive new variety of durian that Andrew has spent on this season?

The most expensive new variety of durian that Andrew has spent on this season is the Tupie King, which he paid $20 per kg for.

What is the unique feature of the Black Thorn durian mentioned by Kelvin Tan?

The unique feature of the Black Thorn durian is its deep orange color and a very intense bitterness that lingers for hours after consumption.

Why are some durian varieties more expensive than others?

Some durian varieties are more expensive because they are rarer in nature and have a lower supply, making them less common than others.

What percentage of the total durian output in Malaysia are the rarer varieties?

The rarer durian varieties make up less than 10% of the total output in Malaysia.

What is the origin of the Tupai King durian variety?

The Tupai King durian variety originates from Panang, where the most recent and one of the most expensive new varieties was first cultivated.

What is the unique feature of the authentic Tupai King durian as described by the farmer who cultivated it?

The authentic Tupai King durian has a distinct green tinge to it, which is visible even when the durian is open, and it has an alcoholic aftertaste.

What is the conclusion of the taste test conducted with a panel of durian experts?

The taste test concluded that while the panel could distinguish premium Maan Wang varieties, the Tupai Kings bought in Singapore were actually Maan Wang, suggesting that they might not be the genuine Tupai King variety.

What is the most important lesson Andrew learned from his journey of investigation into durian varieties?

The most important lesson Andrew learned is the importance of purchasing from reputable sellers to reduce the chance of being sold durians that are not fresh or not what they are presented to be.