Author Topic: Cempedak Review  (Read 342 times)

greg_D

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Cempedak Review
« on: March 04, 2025, 01:43:35 AM »
Tried this at Frankie's today. It's incredibly hard to describe.

The texture is like an *extremely* overripe mango. The flavor and aroma are both very similar to durian, but significantly milder. Durian is too intense for me but I've enjoyed things like durian-flavored macarons; it was like that. The difference between durian and this fruit is like the difference between biting into a lemon and drinking lemonade, or the difference between biting a garlic clove and eating something flavored with garlic. This is not to say cempedak tastes like lemons or garlic, rather just an analogy regarding intensity.

In addition to the durian flavor, there is almost a nuttiness. At times I tasted something that reminded me of Thai basil. And there is also a sort of acidity reminiscent of a slightly underripe grocery store mango. All these background complexities are hard to describe. But overall if you say 'extremely overripe mango texture, with the milder durian aroma and flavor you'd get in a durian flavored dessert, quite sweet, moderately acidic (*just* acidic enough to balance out the sweetness)' you are about 80% of the way there in terms of explaining it.

It wasn't my favorite fruit ever, but it was without a doubt the most fascinating fruit I've ever tried, because of how challenging it is to describe.



« Last Edit: March 04, 2025, 01:51:24 AM by greg_D »

Coconut Cream

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Re: Cempedak Review
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2025, 06:09:20 AM »
Now that is an intriguing description! The texture you describe is something that I would find really difficult to enjoy, but the complex flavor sounds worth giving it a try.

Any comparison to a regular jackfruit?
USDA Zone 10A - St. Lucie County, Florida, USA - On the banks of the St. Lucie River

fruit nerd

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Re: Cempedak Review
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2025, 06:27:46 AM »
Not to hijack the thread but we also had a couple of excellent chempedak recently. I'm growing more chempedak/chempejack now since they are easier to grow than mangoes in my location and I already have loads of durian.



Finca La Isla

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Re: Cempedak Review
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2025, 08:26:45 AM »
Not too sure about your analogies.  I’m surprised you don’t say creamy.  Creamy sweet with soft fiber and a strong smell.  I’ve had people think there was a gas leak!  I have never experienced any trace of acidity in the champedeks I’ve eaten.
Peter

 

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