In Singapore, reports have emerged of durian sellers mislabeling products, particularly a variant known as "Tupai King," which has been confused with the highly regarded "Mao Shan Wang" due to misleading signage. Mao Shan Wang, recognized for its creamy texture and sweet yet slightly bitter taste, is distinguished by a unique five-point star pattern on its underside. In contrast, Tupai King, a newer and rarer variant noted for its greater bitterness and distinctive top-opening method, has become a subject of controversy. It has been reported that only 1,000 pieces of Tupai King are produced annually, a stark contrast to Singapore's daily import of 100 tons of durian from Malaysia during peak season.
Concerns have also been raised about the origin of durians, with some purportedly from Malaysia actually sourced from Thailand or the Philippines, as highlighted in a recent Lianhe Zaobao article. This mislabeling has led to price discrepancies, with durians allegedly from Malaysia being sold at significantly higher rates than those from Thailand, despite the latter typically costing less. The issue has been exacerbated by the conclusion of Malaysia's first durian season, prompting buyers to exercise caution, especially during off-season periods when the authenticity of Malaysian durian labels might be questionable.
Source: The Independent