The Place Durian party at home is one of the best past time during the past few months while most of us have to stay home. One online delivery I had tried recently was with 8 Durian (by the same team behind 8 Crabs), a Singapore based online durian delivery website. The website (https://8durian.com/) is easy to navigate, where you get a detailed information on the various types of durians available.

One fact which caught my attention is that the durians are promised to be delivered within an hour, with free delivery for purchases above S$100. Premium durians aren’t cheap, and there is always the concern of getting inferior quality especially with online purchases. Therefore, it is somewhat assuring that 8 Durian has a replacement or full refund (via store credits) clause, should you received something that isn’t up to your expectations (including a late delivery).

The Food With their own plantation in Pahang, Malaysia, 8 Durian offers a few types of premium durian, priced from S$15/kg. Varieties include the Penang Red Prawn (Authentic Origin Well-Aged 15 Year Tree), Musang King 15 Year Tree Premium Mao Shan Wang ‘A Grade’, Premium Mao Shan Wang ‘AAA Grade’ (Pahang High Mountain Plantation), and the Premium Black Gold Durian (Pahang High Mountain Plantation). Each box contains approximately 450g of wholesome durian flesh and seeds, with a 1:4 ratio of flesh to weight to whole durian husk. Therefore, each heat sealed 450g of durian comes from 1.8kg of husked durian.

I managed to try three types of durian recently, the most premium being the Black Gold (S$27/kg). This has an intense bitter flavour, characterised by its rich custardy and creamy orange-red flesh. It will definitely get you hooked once you start. An ideal offering for the most sophisticated and delicate taste buds, and is indeed the highest grade of durians. Think of this as an enhanced version of the premium Mao Shan Wang.

The second variety I had was the Premium Mao Shan Wang ‘AAA Grade’ (S$23.50/kg). The flavour profile of this is bittersweet, with sticky creamy rich flavours. It has an amazing texture though admittedly, the appeal is less after having tried the Black Gold.

The last type I had was the Penang Red Prawn (S$15/kg). It has a unique bright orange flesh, and the taste profile leans towards the sweeter spectrum with a slight tinge of bitterness. The texture is comparatively more watery than the other two types I had, and overall less satisfying.

Rants Prices are not cheap, and 8 Durian has stated upfront on this point on their website as well on the premise of the high quality durians it offers.

Will I Return Again? For the fresh durians, 8 Durian is worth trying if you are a durian connoisseur.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: N/A
Overall Experience: 4/5

8 Durian
Website: https://8durian.com/

Ranted by The Ranter