Black thorn durian is one of the most expensive types of durian. Because of their high price, fake black thorn durians are more likely to be floating around the market. So, how do you identify the real black thorn durian？
To identify black thorn durian, look for a sunk star shape at the bottom of the durian. The shape of black thorn durian should be round like a pumpkin where it is able to sit upright on the table by itself. If you can find a black bristle at the bottom of the durian, it is definitely the black thorn durian.
Black thorn durian has a few distinct characteristics. So, let’s take a closer look at each of its characteristics to better identify them.
Black Thorn Durian Characteristics
All durians have a similar appearance. If you’re not familiar with durian, it is hard to tell which durian is the black thorn. Nonetheless, the following are the characteristics of the black thorn durian.
1. The skin of black thorn durian is often grey in color
Many black thorn durians have grey-ish color skin. Some people view such a skin color as light green. However, not all black thorn durians have the same color.
Depending on location, black thorn durians can also be found in green color and yellowish. Sometimes, the green color black thorn durian is more appealing as it looks healthier.
Even experienced durian farmers find it difficult or inaccurate to judge the type of durian based on the skin color alone. Hence, we need to match it with other characteristics.
2. The shape of black thorn durian is more round
A quite distinct feature of the black thorn durian is its round shape. Most black thorn durians have a round shape similar to a pumpkin. However, again, not all black thorn durians have the same shape.
Black Thorn Durian by Year of the Durian
Nonetheless, a special feature of black thorn durian is the “muscular body”. Some black thorn durians have ups and downs in their body. It almost seems like the durian has been working out lately.
3. The bottom of black thorn durian looks like a sunk star
Professional durian farmers often mention the descended or sunk star at the bottom of black thorn durian. It is one of the methods they use to differentiate black thorn durian from others.
The bottom of most durians is usually either flat or protruding out. However, the bottom of black thorn durians is always sunk in.
Combine the roundness and the sunk star at the bottom, the black thorn durian normally can sit upright on the table by itself as opposed to many other durians that roll around on the table.
4. Fresh black thorn durian has a black bristle at the bottom
Normally, the black bristle at the bottom of the durian will fall before the durian is ripped. However, black thorn durian keeps the black bristle even after it ripped and fall on the ground.
That’s how black thorn durian got its name.
So, if you found there is a black bristle at the bottom of the durian, it is almost certain that you got yourself a black thorn durian.
However, the bristle is fragile. A little movement can cause it to break. Hence, many black thorn durians don’t have the bristle anymore as the bristle falls during transportation and packaging.
From the outside, the above characteristics pretty much determine if it is black thorn durian. Once you identify one, cut it open and you can further confirm if it is a black thorn durian by looking for the following characteristics.
5. Black thorn durian has a yellow core inside
Most black thorn durians have a yellow core or pattern within. The yellow core may or may not stretch along the durian.
Sometimes, you may not find the yellow core at all but it’ll leave hints to tell you whether or not it is a black thorn durian.
6. The fruit of black thorn durian is gold in color
The fruit of black thorn durian is almost always in gold color. If the black thorn durian fruit is more like a yellow-ish color, it may indicate that the quality of the black thorn durian is less than ideal.
In addition, wrinkly durian fruits are often better than smooth durian fruits as they are more aromatic, tastier and creamier.
Black Thorn Durian vs Other Durian
Now, let’s do some exercises to see if you can identify the black thorn durian so that you can avoid getting scammed by fake black thorn durian sellers.
Exercise 1: Is this a black thorn durian？
This is not a black thorn durian because the bottom of the durian is not sunk. Besides, it is not anywhere near a round shape. Though its skin color is a little bit grey-ish. However, black thorn durian can also grow in different shapes especially when the quality is less than ideal.
Exercise 2: Is this a black thorn durian？
This is a black thorn durian because the bottom of the durian is sunk. Most importantly, the black bristle is still intact which is a very strong indicator that the durian is a black thorn type. Besides, its shape is as round as a pumpkin.
Exercise 3: Is this a black thorn durian？
This is not a black thorn durian even though it has gold colored fruits because the bottom of the durian is protruding out instead of sinking in. In addition, it doesn’t have the yellow core that the black thorn durian has. So, it is not a black thorn durian.
Exercise 4: Is this a black thorn durian？
This is probably not a black thorn durian because the bottom of the durian is not sunk. Besides, there is no yellow core found inside the durian and the fruit is more like a yellowish color rather than gold color.
Final Thought
If you have never seen durian in real life before, it is still going to be quite challenging for you to identify a black thorn durian. However, if you follow the above characteristics when buying black thorn durian, the chance of you getting the real one will be significantly higher.