| Musang King Mao Shan Wang Raja Kunyit D197 | |
|---|---|
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| Cultivar | D197 |
| Origin | Malaysia, 1980s |
Musang King is a Malaysiancultivar (cultivated variety) ofdurian (Durio zibethinus). Prized for its unusual combination of bitter and sweet flavours,[1] Musang King is the most popular variety of durian in bothMalaysia[2] andSingapore,[1] where it is known asMao Shan Wang (Chinese:猫山王;pinyin:Māo Shān Wáng) and commands a price premium over other varieties.[3] It is also increasingly popular inChina, where it has been dubbed the "Hermès of durian".[4][5]
Musang King was originally known asRaja Kunyit, meaning "Turmeric King", a reference to the fruit'sturmeric-colored deep yellow flesh.[6] The first Raja Kunyit tree was planted by a farmer in 1970 at Pulau Raya, Tanah Merah, Kelantan before it was "moved" to Gua Musang.[7] In the 1980s, a man named Tan Lai Fook fromRaub, Pahang stumbled upon a Raja Kunyit durian tree inGua Musang,Kelantan,Malaysia. He brought a branch of the tree back to Raub for grafting, and this new breed attracted other cultivators. The cultivar was named after Gua Musang, its place of origin.[8] Musang King has been assigned the cultivar ID D197.[9] The Chinese name, literally "Cat Mountain King", may be either a phonetic rendering ofmusang or a reference to its Malay meaning, the cat-likeAsian palm civet.[10]
In 2017, Musang King became the first variety of durian to have itsgenome sequenced.[11] The sequencing showedupregulation of pathways related tosulfur,lipid oxidation andethylene when compared to both other fruits and other durian cultivars like Mon Thong, which correlates with the pungency and stronger perceived taste and smell of the cultivar.[11]
Musang King hasgeographical indication status in Malaysia, preventing other countries from using the name.[12]
Musang King needs 4-6 years to produce fruits. A young tree produces 30-50 fruits per annum in the first 2-3 harvests. A grown Musang King tree can produce up to 250 fruits per annum, and a second yearly harvest is possible, depending on the weather conditions. The weight per fruit can reach up to 4 kilograms. The fruit is known for its buttery, thick, bright yellow flesh and robust flavour, with a hint of bitterness.[8] The husk is dusky green and has a distinctive star shape at the bottom.[3] The thorns are pyramidal and not densely packed.[13]
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