Eat-all-you-can durian for P100 draws crowds to Bukidnon stalls

Different varieties of durian are displayed along the highway in Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, as the peak harvest season from July to September drives prices down and prompts roadside vendors to offer “eat-all-you-can” promos, drawing locals and tourists eager to enjoy the “King of Fruits.” Photo by Jomar Salica VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Forget buffet restaurants. In Bukidnon, the latest food craze is “eat-all-you-can” durian, where fruit lovers can feast on unlimited servings for as little as P100 to P150. Now in peak season, durian is known as the “King of Fruits,” with many describing it as “smelling like hell but tasting like heaven.”The eat-all-you-can durian promotion has become a crowd-puller in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and Maramag, where roadside fruit stalls have turned into dining spots for locals, tourists, and travellers eager to enjoy the fresh exotic fruit at bargain prices. READ: Free eat-all-you-can fruits at Kidapawan’s Timpupo FestivalHanzel Echavez, who operates three durian stalls in Malaybalay City, said the unlimited offer is possible because of the abundance of durian harvested from the Davao Region, North Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City in Soccsksargen, or Region 12, and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao.“There is plenty of supply now, which is why prices are much lower than in previous months,” Echavez told the Inquirer.Customers can choose from several varieties, including Chanee, Cob (squash), Lacson, Umali, and Arancillo, among others.Premium varieties such as Puyat and D101, which are often reserved for export or high-end markets, are also available but are sold separately. READ: In Kidapawan City, durians are not just eaten raw, they are grilledThe rules are straightforward: diners have one hour to eat as much durian as they want, but every fruit they open must be finished.Any leftovers are charged separately to discourage food waste.With the harvest season running from July to September, retail prices have dropped to around P70 per kilogram (kg) for assorted varieties, while premium durians such as Puyat sell for P85 to P90 per kg.Aside from durian, fruit stands are stocked with seasonal favorites such as mangosteen, lanzones, and rambutan, giving visitors a wider selection of Mindanao’s fresh produce.For Echavez, the annual durian season is more than just a business opportunity.He said the income helps support his family’s daily needs and his children’s education.With Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival set to begin in August, the abundant fruit harvest in Bukidnon is expected to draw even more visitors.The unlimited durian experience has become another attraction for tourists looking to enjoy Mindanao’s most celebrated fruit at the height of its peak harvest season./coa Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.