durian

[Shrimpchips]

2 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

for those who might be interested, apparently according to tracking genomes etc, durian's closest relative is cotton. how the hell does that work?

I got curious so I went and found the paper where they sequenced the Durian genome. My interpretation as to why cotton is the closest relative is that they only had so many reference genomes (sequenced genomes of sufficiently high quality to be able to compare an unknown genome to) of plants available to compare.  Cotton, which is in the same family as Durian, the Malvaceae, or mallows, is among ~4200 other known species in the family. Cotton obviously comes up as it’s closest genetic relative vs things like rice, coffee, wine grapes, soy, when you are only comparing to those other plants, since the others are completely different types of plants.  There are probably plants that are much more genetically related to durians than cotton, it’s just that no one has gotten around to sequencing their genomes yet.  So technically it’s the closest known genetic relative, it’s just that they’ve only tested 0.05% of the relatives (2/4225, cotton and durian) to make that association.

[Ken Gargett]

3 hours ago, Shrimpchips said:

I got curious so I went and found the paper where they sequenced the Durian genome. My interpretation as to why cotton is the closest relative is that they only had so many reference genomes (sequenced genomes of sufficiently high quality to be able to compare an unknown genome to) of plants available to compare.  Cotton, which is in the same family as Durian, the Malvaceae, or mallows, is among ~4200 other known species in the family. Cotton obviously comes up as it’s closest genetic relative vs things like rice, coffee, wine grapes, soy, when you are only comparing to those other plants, since the others are completely different types of plants.  There are probably plants that are much more genetically related to durians than cotton, it’s just that no one has gotten around to sequencing their genomes yet.  So technically it’s the closest known genetic relative, it’s just that they’ve only tested 0.05% of the relatives (2/4225, cotton and durian) to make that association.

thanks. makes sense. still bizarre to me that they are even in the same family.

[Andy04]

I am based in Sabah, East Malaysia.

We get a wonderful assortment of durian that you don't see outside of here, including the durian dalit.  They are a much smaller durian with flesh that is red, orange or rainbow in color with a much denser texture than the normal soft custard like D24 or Musang King.  Ill upload some pictures during the next season.

 

The other East Malaysian fruit worth trying is the Tarap.  IMO they are a cross between a jackfruit and a durian. 

Unfortunately I have never seen them outside of Sabah. 

 

If you are yet to try durian, I urge you to purchase the best that you can find and work down from there.  Keep in mind, Musang King might set you back at least SGD$25 per kg, and from 1 kg of whole fruit, you might get 350grams of flesh.

A cheaper variety like the standard kampung durian (larger seeds, less flesh per seed and potentially a watery texture) will likely make a first time consumer dislike the fruit, so its best to start with the best, and work down from there.

[Fuzz]

13 hours ago, Andy04 said:

I am based in Sabah, East Malaysia.

We get a wonderful assortment of durian that you don't see outside of here, including the durian dalit.  They are a much smaller durian with flesh that is red, orange or rainbow in color with a much denser texture than the normal soft custard like D24 or Musang King.  Ill upload some pictures during the next season.

 

The other East Malaysian fruit worth trying is the Tarap.  IMO they are a cross between a jackfruit and a durian. 

Unfortunately I have never seen them outside of Sabah. 

 

If you are yet to try durian, I urge you to purchase the best that you can find and work down from there.  Keep in mind, Musang King might set you back at least SGD$25 per kg, and from 1 kg of whole fruit, you might get 350grams of flesh.

A cheaper variety like the standard kampung durian (larger seeds, less flesh per seed and potentially a watery texture) will likely make a first time consumer dislike the fruit, so its best to start with the best, and work down from there.

Thailand has developed durian (Chanthaburi durian) that do not have their distinctive aroma, for those that like the fruit but can't stand the smell.

[Ken Gargett]

16 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Thailand has developed durian (Chanthaburi durian) that do not have their distinctive aroma, for those that like the fruit but can't stand the smell.

which is interesting given that they were never native to thailand, i believe. 

[Ken Gargett]

9 minutes ago, Heels82 said:

@Ken Gargett When you get into the old folks home, what's your first move on the single ladies?  

i'm missing any connection to the topic?

[Fuzz]

On 11/1/2022 at 8:15 AM, Ken Gargett said:

which is interesting given that they were never native to thailand, i believe. 

Correct, durian is not native to Thailand, though they are the biggest exporter.

[Ken Gargett]

5 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Correct, durian is not native to Thailand, though they are the biggest exporter.

correct.