Mao Shan Wang Durian – Ways to spot the real stuff

Mao Shan Wang Durian, also known as Musang King, has been voted the most famous durian in Singapore. It is often connected with high prices and an intense creamy taste that most durian lovers could not resist.

The direct translation for this highly sought-after Mao Shan Wang, or 猫山王 in Chinese, is Cat Mountain King. It is widely mistaken that MSW got its name because it is the favorite civet cat. The fact is that this variety originated from a mountain inhabited by many of these civet cats, hence the name “cat mountain.” The name Musang King is derived from the region of Gua Musang in Kelantan, Malaysia, where this breed was first planted and became very popular among the farmers there.

Being the creamiest, richest, most buttery, and a balance of bittersweetness, Mao Shan Wang durian has got its title as king of all durians. No other type of durian can defeat the complexity of MSW’s taste to this day. The flavor outshines other breeds, and the high flesh-to-seed ratio is another commendable point. Due to having tiny, flat seeds, you would get a lot of tender meat that melts in your mouth.  

Critical features of Mao Shan Wang Durian

1. Shape of thorns

The Mao Shan Wang has thorns that resemble the shape of a pyramid, while most other durians’ thorns are conical. These pyramid-like thorns are angular, and the sides are relatively flat. Another good tip is the density aspect of the thorns. You would notice that Mao Shan Wang thorns are more spread out as compared to densely packed thorns of other durian varieties.

2. Overall shape of durian

While most other durians are round, Musang King durian is typically oval, very much like the shape of a rugby ball. You may also find MSW shaped like a kidney on several occasions. Could you take a look at the durian on the right? Despite having the same pyramid-like thorns as Mao Shan Wang, the overall shape of the durian is round. This is Thai Durian and is often passed off as MSW during the off-season or even in an early and late season when the supply of MSW cannot meet the increasing demand.

3. Stem of durian

Another easy way to distinguish a Mao Shan Wang durian is by having a close look at the stem of this breed. The brownish ring at the bottom of MSW’s stem is relatively bald, and you won’t see any thorns growing on this bald ring surrounding the stem.

4. Base of durian

A typical Mao Shan Wang durian will have this distinct star-shaped pattern on the base that often extends to the sides of the durian. Interestingly, the base of MSW is also bald and flat, resembling a starfish’s flat body. Most other durian varieties would have protruding, spiky bases.  

Source: Johorkaki.com

Rule of thumb – Spot all features

To avoid getting scammed by durian sellers, spot all the above features in a single durian. If there are only one or two identical features, you are most likely looking at other clones like Thai durian. Please don’t fall for the trap, and take the time to check the durian that you are getting. The right Mao Shan Wang durian will give you rich, thick, bright yellow flesh and not overly spicy, sweet fragrance.  

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