Mao Shan Wang (MSW) is the dense, bittersweet benchmark: thick, creamy flesh with bitterness and sweetness in the same mouthful. Black Thorn is lighter and sweeter, with deep orange-yellow flesh, a berry-like sweetness and a clean finish. D24, also sold as Sultan durian, is the gentler one: golden-yellow flesh, sweet up front, a moderate bitter edge and a rich, buttery creaminess. In our view, D24 suits first-timers and unsure guests, MSW suits anyone who loves intense, bittersweet durian, and Black Thorn suits those who want something sweet and light. Feeding a group? Get more than one.
Mao Shan Wang vs Black Thorn vs D24 at a glance
These are our own descriptions of the durian we sell.
| Flesh colour | Texture | Taste | Intensity | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mao Shan Wang (D197) | Bright yellow | Creamy, thick and dense; "dry sticky" from old trees | Bitter and sweet in the same mouthful | The most intense of the three | Lovers of rich, bittersweet durian |
| Black Thorn (D200) | Deep orange-yellow | Light, airy, fibre-free | Bright, berry-like sweetness, clean finish | Delicate and layered | Anyone who wants sweet and light |
| D24 (Sultan) | Golden-yellow | Soft, smooth and custardy | Gently sweet up front, moderate bitter edge, rich lemak creaminess | Less intense than MSW | First-timers and unsure guests |
Mao Shan Wang: the bittersweet benchmark
MSW, also called Musang King and registered in Malaysia as D197, is the durian the others tend to be measured against. Its appeal is the combination: creamy texture, intense bittersweet flavour and a famously small seed, though seed size still varies from fruit to fruit.
Ours comes from old trees in Pahang. We look for drier, denser flesh from those trees, the texture durian eaters call "dry sticky", and a more complex bittersweetness. Next to the other two, MSW sits at the heavy, intense end. That is why its fans love it, and in our view it is also why it can be a lot for someone's first durian.
For the four names it goes by and how a Kelantan tree became famous in Pahang, read what Mao Shan Wang is.
Black Thorn: lighter, sweeter, rarer
Black Thorn is its own cultivar, not a type of MSW. The cultivar began in Penang and is registered as D200. Ours has deep orange-yellow flesh, a bright, berry-like sweetness and a clean finish.
The bigger difference is texture. Where MSW is heavy and dense, Black Thorn is light, airy and fibre-free, closer to whipped pastry cream. It is also less common than the other two, and that shows in the price.
So Black Thorn vs Musang King comes down to what you are craving: density and bitterness, or lightness and sweetness. Where it came from, how it got its name and what to check before you buy are all in our Black Thorn guide.
D24 (Sultan): the approachable classic
D24 is the durian we would hand someone who isn't sure they like durian. It is a different cultivar from MSW, not a lower grade of it, and it has a long history of its own. If you have seen "Sultan durian" on a box or a menu, that is D24.
What does D24 taste like?
Ours has golden-yellow flesh with what we call the classic Sultan balance: gently sweet up front, a moderate bitter edge, and a rich, fatty lemak creaminess. It is milder and sweeter than MSW, with less bitterness and less intensity, but still plenty of character.
The texture is soft and creamy, with a thick, buttery consistency, but without the density of MSW. That is why we call it a gentler introduction to durian: you get the creaminess without the full weight. Seed size and colour vary naturally between fruits. Like all our boxes, it has no flavouring, sweeteners or additives.
D24 vs Musang King: what changes
Taste them one after the other and the difference is mostly a matter of degree. Both are creamy and both carry some bitterness. MSW pushes the bitterness and density further. D24 keeps them in balance and lets the sweetness come first.
Where D24 comes from
D24 is one of Malaysia's older registered varieties. Malaysia's Department of Agriculture has registered durian clones since 1934. In a 2022 paper on the history of Malaysia's durian policy for the FFTC Agricultural Policy Platform, Tai Wei Lim of the Singapore University of Social Sciences writes that as mass cultivation took root, D24 was the one registered clone planted on a sizable basis. He places the cultivar's original trees in Bukit Merah, Perak.
SAYS notes that before Musang King became a top pick for durian fans, D24 was a popular option. Spike's own story starts there too. As one of our founders puts it: "As a seasoned durian connoisseur for over 40 years, I started my journey with the legendary D13 and D24."
Which one should you buy?
There is no single best durian. It depends on who is eating. This is how we would choose.
Your first durian, or a guest who's unsure: D24
It has the creaminess and a little of the bitterness that define durian, at a lower intensity than MSW. If they enjoy it, MSW is the natural next step.
You love intense and bittersweet: Mao Shan Wang
If bitterness is the part you chase and you want dense, dry-sticky flesh, go straight to old-tree MSW.
You want sweet and light, or you've "done" MSW: Black Thorn
Choose Black Thorn when you want sweetness over bitterness, and flesh that feels light rather than rich. It is also a good change for MSW regulars who want to taste something different.
A mixed group: get more than one
In a group, someone will want bitterness and someone won't. Open more than one variety and taste from mildest to most intense: D24 first, then Black Thorn, then MSW. Our reasoning is simple. MSW is the most intense of the three, so leaving it to the end gives the gentler two a fair hearing.
One practical point makes the comparison fair. All three of ours are selected at peak season, fresh-locked the same way and delivered chilled in a cooler bag with gel ice packs. The handling is the same, so the differences you taste side by side come from the fruit, not from how it reached you.
What about price?
We haven't quoted figures, because prices move with the season and the harvest. As a rough order, the Singapore price guides we checked in October 2026 put D24 below Mao Shan Wang, and Black Thorn at the premium end, alongside or above it. SAYS (January 2024) also says Black Thorn "can be as pricey, if not more so, than Musang King". For today's prices, see the D24 Sultan single box, the Mao Shan Wang single box and the Old-Tree Black Thorn single box.
Quick answers
Is D24 the same as Musang King?
No. They are different cultivars. D24, also called Sultan, is its own registered variety, and Musang King, also called Mao Shan Wang, is D197. D24 is milder. Musang King is denser and more bittersweet.
Which is sweeter, D24 or Mao Shan Wang?
D24. We describe it as milder and sweeter than MSW, with less bitterness. MSW's appeal is bitterness and sweetness together.
Is Black Thorn better than Musang King?
Neither is better. They are built differently. Musang King is dense, creamy and bittersweet. Black Thorn is light and airy, with a berry-like sweetness and a clean finish. Choose by what you are craving.
Which durian is best for first-timers?
In our view, D24. It is creamy and gently sweet, with a moderate bitter edge, and less intense than MSW.
How should I store delivered durian?
Ours arrives chilled, in a cooler bag with gel ice packs. Put it in the fridge straight away, not the freezer, and eat it within 12 to 24 hours for the best flavour and texture. Do not refreeze it.
If you are new to durian, start with our D24 Sultan single box, then work up to the Mao Shan Wang single box. If you would rather go light and sweet, try the Old-Tree Black Thorn single box. All three are fresh-locked at peak season and delivered chilled.
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