Over the weekend, I had a little mini-adventure. I didn’t set out for an adventure, but it kind of turned into one. On Saturday morning, I was headed downtown for a meeting. I regular LiP reader, a person who had also purchased some of my books in the past was visiting Davao, and I wanted to meet him. He invited me for coffee on Saturday morning at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, which is in downtown Davao City.
I left the house a bit early. I had a couple of reasons for leaving early. First, just in case I ran into heavy traffic, and secondly in case I was unable to find parking. Parking in the downtown area can be kind of tough to find, so you just never know. So, I left about 40 minutes ahead of my meeting schedule, although it only takes about 10 minutes to drive downtown from my house.
When I got downtown, after having not run into any traffic pileups, something looked different. Hmm.. what was it? I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I had not been down in this part of town for probably a couple of months, but I could just sense that something wasn’t quite the same as it should be. Somehow the city looked cleaner than I was expecting.
As I drove past buildings, I was surprised because concrete walls had been freshly painted. Buildings themselves were newly painted, or washed. Wow, Davao was looking really nice that morning. It made me feel kind of proud of my adopted City.
I was still about 30 minutes early for my meeting, so I decided to park a bit of a distance away, and take a walk around the downtown area on the way to my meeting. After I got out of the car and took a breath, I suddenly realized why things were looking so nice! It’s Kadayawan Festival time in Davao!
How did the smell tell me?
Well, Kadayawan is the Harvest Festival for the region. It is the time when Davao Region’s luscious fruits are at the peak of the season! When I stepped out from the car, the air was filled with the fragrance of Durian! Ah, the fruit that smells like hell, but tastes like heaven, or so they say. But, for me, I really don’t agree with that assessment of Durian, because I personally love the smell of a nice ripe Durian fruit. For me there is nothing that says “Davao” more than the fragrance of Durian. There is no food or activity that is more typically Davao than Durian!
A few months ago, my friend, Dave Starr was visiting here in Davao with his family. Dave’s sister in law likes Durian, and since she was in Davao, she wanted to get some Durian and enjoy it. Feyma and I took Dave and his wife to Magsaysay Fruit Vendors Association, as that is really one of the prime Durian spots of the City. At that time, I was quite surprised at the price of the Durian. The first vendor, as I recall, quoted me a price of P130/kilo for Durian. During Kadawayan season you can sometimes find Durian as low as P15 or P20/kilo, so this price was shocking. As I talked to other vendors at the fruit stand, I was able to get the price down to P100/kilo, but no less. We bought a fruit, and ate some of it there, even getting Dave and Mita to enjoy some of it. The rest was brought back to the hotel for the Sister-in-law to enjoy, which I am told she did.
Well, the Durian on Saturday was not as cheap as I expected. I was quoted a price of P70/kilo. I’m not sure if the vendor was trying to take advantage of me, or if the price is just high this year. I expected less since it was Kadayawan season already. I didn’t buy any, thinking that I’d visit one of my Suki vendors (Suki is a vendor whom you have a regular relationship with) and I know that they will give me a fair price. When I do that, I will know if the other price quote was fair.
I enjoyed walking the City on Saturday, though. Kadayawan is a special time of the year in Davao City, and if you are in town during Kadayawan, you really owe it to yourself to roam the City a bit, talk with the people, and just enjoy the spirit of Davao!
If you see me, be sure to say hi!
You left me in the air on this, what was the price your suki quoted?
And why is it also called Junk Fruit here on Luzon?
Hi Paul – Haven't been to the Suki yet, but will go sometime this week. I hope it's as cheap as it was during Kadayawan 2008!
Junk Fruit? I can't say why you silly guys in Luzon are so uneducated in the better things in life! I'd ask you to send me some to get the junk off your hands, but it would be from Luzon after all, and would indeed taste junky compared to Durian from Davao! 😆
Yo good buddy!, It's not me that named it, it's what the locals call it. I was just wondering why. But I won't ask again! (LOL)
Ha ha… well, Durian is certainly a delicacy in Davao. One of the nicknames for the City is "Durianburgh" after all! You're not talking about "Jackfruit" are you? That's different.
Jackfruit (Langka in Tagalog) and Durian looks very similar. I wouldn't be surprise if they are in the same family.
Hi Bob-
This site is just awesome to read and the updates are well appreciated….It's really good to know that the buildings and concrete walls are now painted. It feels good and less stress to see a clean and painted concrete walls and buildings around the downtown City of Davao! Thanks
Durian is my favorite fruit, I was told it is an aphrodisiac, :)….
I'll go and get a "Q-Tip, you're correct, It's JACK-FRUIT", I check with my fountain of information (my wife Mayang) and jack fruit it is, all these years I've only heard Junk fruit. Blame the lack of Q-Tips I'll stick with them henceforth. Life will be better now!
Hi Paul – Ha ha… yeah, those are two completely different things! Jackfruit is more of a greenish/yellowish color on the outside, and the fruit is yellow, about the color of pineapple. Durian is brown most of the time, even a sort of dark brown. The fruit is more of a creamy color, just a hint of yellow. Also, durian fruit is generally creamy in consistency too, not a solid piece like jackfruit is.
Give it a try sometime!
Hi Bob,
Evolution has worked hard to keep durian from being eaten. Some plants use thorns to keep from being eaten and to keep itself reproducing. some plants use horible smells. Durian uses both weapons to keep reproducing. I dont think mother nature intends for us to eat such foul smelling fruit. 🙂
Some people like the smell. Some say its like eating custard through a sewar pipe, or like lindburger cheese. I think its more like rotting garbage. I dont think I can ever get past the smell to enjoy it.
My new asawa loves it, and is wondering where in California she can get some.
WOW,Bob, i love durian and it was also a specialty here in HK, chinese people loved it, they keep saying that "it smell like hell but taste like heaven", i have so many american friends who tried to eat durian and they didn't really like the smell but once they taste it, wow!they're hunting for any asian store in the US to buy it and you're right they're not fresh and it was frozen, so if you guys want to try it sometimes better try the fresh one, i also love the durian flavor ice- cream.
Hi Bob! The texture is something else too. It is definitely an acquired taste. I don't get it. But I get the durian ice cream, the candies..
Hi wildcat – I've introduced a few Americans to Durian, but almost all of them disliked it! Left more for me!
Bob: I'm sitting here in Batam waiting for the ferry back to Singapore. Our Singaporean engineers are all bringing the Indonesian durian back with them because it is so expensive in Singaproe (up to S$20 per kilo, depending on the variety). If you ever are in Singapore, the Sheraton Orchard Road is famous for its Sunday durian buffet. Everything… Appetizer entree and dessert…. Is made of durian. They also hold tastings with different varieties (indonesian, Filipino, Thai, etc.) So you can taste the difference. The buffet is expensive, around S$50, but totally unique in Asia. Personally, I can't stand the stuff, so when I went I hit BK after mmy colleagues had their fill.
Hi John – There are really hundreds of varieties of Durian, and I have my personal favorites. I like Arancillo, and 101 the best. Puyat is also pretty good too. Hmm… I bet Davao could do something like that Durian Buffet thing, because Davao is famous for it's durian! That would be a Davao feast!
Ok Bob, you have convinced me. On a future visit I will have to see if I can buy a small Durian just out of curiousity and if I can get by the " fragrance " as that seems to be what most people here comment about , I'll try to give it a taste. I am also contemplating trying the Bus along with some of my Filipino friends from CDO to Iligan. I wonder if I try some Durian first, then get on the bus would I feel like I have a hangover when I get off the bus at the end of the ride ?
Hey Bob… think about it, my friend… have I ever steered you wrong? 😉 You always say that my information is accurate! Seriously, Durian is an acquired taste, and I really had to force myself to try it. It took a couple of times of trying it too, before I could stomach it. But, I do really enjoy it now.
Thats right Bob, your info has always been highly accurate and thats why I want to give Durian a try. I will see how my Filipino friends react when I share it with them. Maybe I'll try to get some pics of my first try at eating Durian. I'll have to put this on my list of things to do. When the time comes, I'll be sure to let you and the others here know.
I just checked with a friend in Iligan as to availability of Durian and cost. One that was purchased yesterday was 70 peso / Kilo in Iligan. Now that I think about it, I remember roadside stands selling these things on one of the main roads so I guess they are quite popular.
Hi Bob – I am sure that you and your friends will have a laugh or two over the Durian! It will be a fun time for you.
kamusta bob
ahhh i tried to eat durian and i just couldent bring myself to eat it.the smell was just to much for me my friend.my wife loves the stuff and cant get enough of it.i did try the candy and it was truely terrible.
i did eat a truck full of pineapples when i was in phil though.so sweet and delicious.
salamat bob
Hi RonW – Well, I suppose that Durian is an acquired taste!
Yes it is an acquired taste, i hated it when i was growing up. My family would literally hold my mouth to get a taste of it. I just grew up smelling it and i guess got used to it. Now, i confess i'm addicted to it. Not much on the flavored durian like candies and ice cream, i preferred the fruit itself.
Aphrodisiac? hmm don't know about that, for me?? i have to eat maybe 10 or more of that spiky fruit. So far, it don't remember having any effect on me. Husband thought the smell of durian is a combination of rotten fish/animal and stinky feet lol. He vowed not to ever taste it again.
Vanessa says:
August 17, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Yes it is an acquired taste, i hated it when i was growing up. My family would literally hold my mouth to get a taste of it. I just grew up smelling it and i guess got used to it. Now, i confess i’m addicted to it. Not much on the flavored durian like candies and ice cream, i preferred the fruit itself.
Aphrodisiac? hmm don’t know about that, for me?? i have to eat maybe 10 or more of that spiky fruit. So far, it don’t remember having any effect on me. Husband thought the smell of durian is a combination of rotten fish/animal and stinky feet lol. He vowed not to ever taste it again.
Reply
sorry for the double posts.
Hi Vanessa – Don't worry, October is coming. Durian will still be good at that time, just the tail of the season. Tell Rich to bring nose plugs! You and I can enjoy the wonderful fragrance. 😉
Bob,
I still remember when you introduced me to Durian. Thanks for the invitation but I do not think Durian and I will ever be friends. haha
Hi Bob,
Written like a true Davaoeno! Please save some for me!!! And, you also like my favorites – Arancillo and 101!!! Oh no!!!
I'm sorry I'll miss Kadayawan this year (again!) – by a week!!! I was really hoping to make it but work always gets in the way…
See you soon and let me know where the best deals are. LOL!!!
Hi Tina – I'm looking forward to seeing you again! Sorry that you'll miss Kadayawan, but the Durian will still be good and "in season" during your trip!
My experience with Durian is limited to say the least but was curious about the cost factor you mentioned as being high . Maybe it's being largely exported ? Only reason i raise that question is because mango here in Cagayan De Oro was way down in price last week when my wife bought . According to vendors shipments to Luzon were canceled because of tropical storm and an overabundance of fruits ended up here .
Hi Alan – Usually, price swings on Durian don't really have to do with export, but rather just how the crop was the year in question. When it is a bumper crop, prices are low and people are happy! When the crop was small, prices go up. Huge amounts of durian are not exported, or even sent out for domestic consumption in big quantities, because the market is pretty limited. Only a few people can get up the courage to try it!
Hey Bob – haven't posted to your site for a while – summer here has been hectic. Now that school is starting again I seem to have more time to get on here. Anyway . . . we've had this discussion before – I won't bore anyone with the taxological names, but the jack fruit and the durian aren't even closely related. Enjoyed your article as usual.
Scott
Josey told me this is the big weekend. Wish I could be there but not much chance. I hope by next year though, and not to eat the durian. Still can't get it past my nose. but you have been there long enough. I really like Leyte so far and even though no longer sure where I might finally settle it will probably be here.Danny's Massin sounds good. Still looking for property. Have a fun weekend.
Good luck in your search, Andy.
The Philippines people emphysis and prepare so much on festivities and its like every day is a festival including someone's birthdays. Somehow there is something to celebrate everyday.
I believe the fruits that you have there are also available here in Malaysia? and the durian and rambutan over here is seasonal, certain times of the year we have a maximum production.