Take the world’s greatest beverage and fuse it with the world’s greatest fruit (possibly the world’s greatest thing), and you’ve got durian coffee.
Yet even though it seems like a combination that’s so simple, it took a Malaysian Einstein with a stroke of culinary genius to come up with such a gourmet treat.
I was visiting a friend when he casually asked me if I’d like a cup of durian coffee.
My eyes must have bulged from their sockets – I had never even dreamed of such a creative and attractive brew.
And that’s how I had the pleasure of sipping on my first ever cup of durian coffee.
Hailing from Penang (an epicenter of Malaysian street food), it was concealed in a typical 4-in-1 sachet – coffee, milk, sugar, and durian.
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Let me tell you, I had never been so excited about a cup of instant coffee ever before in my life.
As I peeled open the baggy, the all-so familier scent of man’s best friend (durian) erupted in a small gaseous aroma that could only be the product of something durian.
It was a mouthwatering smell.
The cup of coffee was by far the best cup of instant coffee I’d ever had, a rich concoction of creamy instant coffee with a noticeable durian dimension to it.
To be honest I thought the durian flavor should have been stronger – but as a durian lover, I’m sometimes immune to a dominating durian flavor or smell.
The more I drank the more the durian came through, a pleasant flavor that really worked well with the coffee.
So, Glory or Gag?
Well, if you don’t have a good relationship with durian, it may be a bit gag inducing…
…But as a voracious consumer of all things weird and pungent, I would have to say that durian coffee may be up there with the wheel as one of the world’s best inventions.
Glory to say the least.
However, instant coffee is not my preference, nor is anything that’s been packaged up and mixed with lots of sugar.
So though I’ve never actually tried it before, how would a real coffee mixed with fresh durian be?
Someone on Facebook mentioned that they make great durian coffee in Bandung, Indonesia – maybe a food migration would be in order?
Anyone have any suggestions, comments, or tips?
What about you? Glory or gag?
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Max Rose
2 years ago
Durian coffee? This is the first time I heard that such thing exists. Will definitely try it!
Vishal Kaushik
3 years ago
Keep going.
Nancy ZHu
5 years ago
It is very nice flavor , I would like to see where I can bud it in Hong Kong
Aryanto
7 years ago
A brother in law send me a can of durian coffee few months back and you’re right it is a real deal!! The one I had was traditionally roasted and flavored. Not the instant one!! Yeayy I am luckier than you lol 🙂
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Aryanto, oh that’s awesome, haha, sounds delicious!
Val
9 years ago
Is this available in Davao City?
Claudine
10 years ago
I haven’t had durian, but I read a lot of stories about the smell. I read that it tastes great, but it smells horrible. I would like to try it as long as I can get past the smell.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Claudine, I think a lot of people dislike durian on their first try because of the smell, so when you have a chance to try it, definitely avoid smelling it first and just go right in for a big bite!
Gary Domingo
10 years ago
Hey Mark and Friends,
The place which pioneered durian coffee in the Philippines, in Davao City, is Blugre’ Coffee, please check it out !
Maraming Salamat Po !
Gary
http://www.blugre.com/
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Cool, thanks for sharing Gary!
Annie
10 years ago
Thanks Gary.
Annie
10 years ago
Hi Mark,
I’d like to try this instant Durian coffee. Where can I find it? I live in Northern Virginia.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hi Annie, hmm, I’m not sure if you can get it in the States, maybe online? The only place I know you can get it is in Penang, Malaysia.
Annie
10 years ago
Thanks Mark!
Lindsay
10 years ago
Hey Mark,
Cool to see you trying this. I actually brought my dad some of this same brand coffee for Christmas. He wasn’t a big fan, but then he doesn’t like durian.
Rob and I have had a lot of durian coffees. it’s actually not that uncommon. The best by far was durian-coffee in Vietnam. Wow, that was good!
Durian Coffee is also really common in the Philippines. If you remember that post I wrote for you awhile back, there’s even a whole coffee chain whose number one product is durian coffee. They’re called Blugre, and here’s the link where we tried it: http://www.yearofthedurian.com/2012/09/durian-coffee-shop.html
I’ll be passing through Bangkok in May on my way to the World Durian Festival. Any interest in going? 🙂
-Lindsay
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Lindsay, thanks for sharing, glad to hear about so many durian coffee experiences you’ve had. It’s such a fantastic combination. Cool to hear you’ll be passing through again, yah, would love to go, hopefully I’ll be around. Let me know when you’re going.
paul | walkflypinoy
10 years ago
I’ve heard they have it (real coffee, not instant) in Davao in Southern Philippines. I have yet to try it though. Both real and instant versions!
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Paul, yes someone mentioned that to me as well. Hoping to try the fresh version (or make it) soon!
Dale
10 years ago
I’d like to shoot straight past the dried variety & grab a cup full of fresh durian coffee. The idea entices me incredibly.
I’d love to see a video of the process of making fresh durian coffee, that’d be amazing.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Dale, glad to hear that entices you too. Haven’t had a chance to do it yet, but durian season is coming.
Franca
10 years ago
Only recently I discovered the awesomeness of durian. At first I didn’t like it, but after trying it 3 times I now cannot stop searching for more at every fruit stall vendor I see.
I am also a coffee lover and addicted, so the combination of the two interests me very much. I want to try durian coffee too! As you said I’d love a fresh coffee instead of instant though..
I will hunt for it 🙂
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Franca, GREAT to hear you love durian now too, it really is the most amazing natural thing in the world. Let me know if you sample some durian coffee!
sully86
10 years ago
Mark: Aye caramba!! its the coffee durian!!
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Haha!
sully86
10 years ago
mark: Have you tried a pineapple and instant coffee combo? I did….
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Ha, never had that, sounds interesting!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica
10 years ago
I’ve never had durian, but I think the worst part of this would have to be the instant coffee. I’ve never liked it but Latin America made me loathe nescafe.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Steph, yup I feel you on the instand coffee.