How to choose a good durian
Ask when the fruit fell, check that the stem is still moist, smell it for a sweet rather than sour aroma, and ask the seller to open it before you pay. Most good stalls will let you taste or will swap a poor fruit.
Durian guides
Bringing durian into Singapore, and on the MRT or to a hotel
Singapore's food agency allows fruit for personal use in a small, reasonable hand-carry quantity, but sets no specific durian limit. Durian is not allowed on MRT trains, and some hotels charge a fee for bringing it in.
Is it safe to eat durian with alcohol?
The warning is common, but evidence in people is missing. A 2009 lab study found durian extract slowed a yeast enzyme involved in breaking down alcohol, which may explain the belief. If you are worried, do not mix them, and ask a doctor if you have a health condition.
Is durian healthy? What the research says
Durian is energy-dense and contains vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids. Reported health benefits come from animal and lab studies, so the researchers themselves call for human trials. Treat it as a rich treat rather than a health food.
Malaysian durian statistics: production, states and exports
Malaysia produced about 384,000 tonnes of durian on 72,536 hectares in 2019, led by Pahang and Johor. One trade report gives 455,458 tonnes for 2022, and ministry figures show 115,359 tonnes exported to China from 2018 to 2025, worth RM6.37 billion.
How to open and store durian
Find the seams running from the base, cut along one with a sturdy knife, and pull the husk apart with gloves or a thick towel. Keep flesh in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two, or freeze it for longer.
A durian trip from Singapore to Johor
Johor Bahru is the closest place for Singaporeans to buy Malaysian durian, and farms further north in Johor take visitors. Go during the June to August or November to January harvests, eat at the stall or farm, and check the hand-carry rule before bringing fruit home.