One stall sells Mao Shan Wang durians grown without pesticides. The other sells the same variety at $5 each. How do they stack up? Food editor Tan Hsueh Yun and food critic Wong Ah Yoke rate them.
818 DURIANS & PASTRIES
Where: 201 Telok Kurau Road 01-02
Open: Monday, 4 to 11pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm during the durian season. Normal opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm; Sunday, 11am to 7pm; closed on Monday
Price: $22 a kg
Info: Call 6348-8436
Ms Tan: I like the texture of the flesh, it is firm yet creamy. Although I love very bitter durians, the balance of bitter and sweet here is wonderful and full of nuance.
Mr Wong: This is very good. Each piece has a nice balance of bitterness and sweetness. The colour of the flesh is also very beautifully yellow.
DELIGHT FRUIT TRADING
Where: 85 Sims Avenue
Open: Daily 24 hours
Price: $5 for Mao Shan Wang that weigh less than 1kg
Info: 6677-1188
Ms Tan: Some pieces of fruit are completely sweet while others are bitter. It has a one-dimensional flavour with no nuance and is not rich like a Mao Shan Wang.
Mr Wong: It doesn't taste like Mao Shan Wang at all. The texture is more crisp than creamy. At $5, I would buy this to make durian pudding but not to eat it on its own.
