Durian, Drumstick and Krachai root: For German consumers, these Asian fruits and vegetables are still mostly unknown. Although: "We see an increasing demand for such special products in the course of the many cooking shows on television and the rapidly increasing number of Thai restaurants. Durian in particular is establishing itself on the market rather quickly," says Ms. Sunit Geppinger, Managing Director of Thai Fresh Import Seat in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. 
Thai Durian Monthong
Individual taste perception
For more than 20 years the specialist wholesaler has been devoting itself to the import of fruit and vegetable exotics, mainly from Thailand. The last few years, durians have really made an entrance. "A problem for us as a supplier is to get the appropriate quality, because it is an extremely sensitive culture - the longer the supply chain, the more the product suffers," Geppinger explains. The products of the importer are flown in by plane.
But there are additional problems with this exotic fruit, namely the individual taste perception. "Some people likes it a bit softer, others a bit harder. Of course it has to be sweet, but otherwise there are no fixed specifications regarding taste and product quality. Durian is a problem child for us," Geppinger says
Pre-cut durian
Thai durian is also available only in a certain time window: The season usually begins in March-April and the campaign is usually completed in October, depending on availability and product quality. "We now deliver pre-cut durians, without fruit peel in a small bowl containing 2 to 3 pieces of 500 grams in."
All in all, the market is growing steadily, this year even more so than in other years, reports Geppinger. "If this goes on and the product becomes even more established among locals, I could even imagine durians appearing in food retail in a few years."
For more information:
Thai Fresh Import
GF: Sunit Geppinger
Bahnhofplatz 5
Radolfzell am Bodensee
+49 176 63871942
thaifreshimport@gmail.com
www.thaifreshimport.de