Balik Pulau: Durian Monsoon

#wecreate After my recent visit to Durian Balik Pulau, a wholesale durian stall in Penang Island, Malaysia, I have mixed feelings about my experience. Upon my arrival, I was impressed by the wide variety of durians they had on offer. They boasted everything from local 'kampung' durians to popular varieties such as D175 (Red Prawn) and D200 (Black Thorn). I was informed that their durians were freshly sourced directly from farms throughout Balik Pulau and delivered fresh every day, which was a reassuring detail. However, my visit was not without its disappointments. While some of the durians I tasted were of good quality, with great aroma and texture, others were average compared to what I've tried in Kuala Lumpur. To my surprise, despite being at the source, the prices were rather high - higher, in fact, than what I would pay in KL. This was a bit of a letdown, considering I had traveled all the way to the farm with the expectation of enjoying cheaper durians. Furthermore, I found the availability of durians a bit unpredictable. On one occasion, I was told that most of the durians were gone even though I saw other visitors enjoying their durians right in front of me. It was frustrating, to say the least, especially after making the trip down to the farm. Overall, Durian Balik Pulau offers a wide selection of durians and the promise of fresh, farm-sourced durians is appealing. But be prepared for potentially higher prices and unpredictable availability. Based on my experience, I would recommend potential visitors to check in advance about the availability of durians, and possibly make a reservation. While I had a mixed experience, your visit might turn out differently, especially if you go during peak durian season.