We try a durian pizza topped with cheese - and the verdict is surprising

We try a durian pizza topped with cheese - and the verdict is surprising

Whether you're a fan of the king of fruit or strongly anti-durian, you've got to admit that Pezzo, the homegrown pizza company, has cooked up quite the creation: Durian charcoal pizza.

The first of its kind in Singapore, this dessert-like pizza, named 'Durian King', is handmade with charcoal pizza dough and topped with 100 per cent pure Mao Shan Wang and D24 durian flesh.

But how exactly is such an interesting creation brought to life?

The process starts with the dough, which is baked with active charcoal, an ingredient purported to have health benefits such as aiding digestion and helping to flush chemicals and toxins out of the body.

Then, the durian spread consisting of a mix of half Mao Shan Wang and half D24 is applied in a thick coat onto the black-coloured dough.

And in case you're wondering how much durian actually goes into making 'Durian King,' each pizza uses about one whole medium-sized durian, Pezzo told AsiaOne.

Furthermore, only the freshest pieces make it into the final product.

Lastly, no pizza is complete without a little dairy- sweetened milk and mozzarella cheese is added on before the pie is popped in the oven and baked to perfection.

The dark charcoal dough combined with bright yellow durian gives the pizza its pop of colour.Photo: AsiaOne

But the real question that's on everyone's mind is: How does it taste?

For me, the experience of eating my first durian charcoal pizza was surprisingly pleasant.

While I feared that the combination of durian and pizza would be a strange one, it turned out to be a harmonious play of tastes.

The durian spread topping was a good mixture of sweet and bitter, and the thick, creamy texture worked well with the fluffy and chewy dough.

The charcoal dough itself had a hint of salt, which really helped in occasionally breaking up the sweetness of the durian.

And while ordinarily the sound of warm durian wouldn't sound appetizing to me, having a warm slice of durian pizza was almost like biting into an egg or cheese tart- there's something hearty about it.

Overall? While I wouldn't eat it often, I'd eat it again.

A lucky few at AsiaOne also had a chance to try the fragrant fusion.

Here's what some of my colleagues had to say:

"Surprisingly good and very palatable, despite its questionable concept and bewildering appearance."

- Alvin Kosasi

"It doesn't leave a lasting impression for someone who is neutral about durians. But if you can't choose which sin (pizza or durian) to commit, why not go for both?"

- Lee Weixin

"A 'dessert pizza'. Wouldn't choose this for my dinner but if I had a durian-loving friend to share with, why not?"

- Joey Lee

"I like the durian pizza except it's not what I typically like pizzas for. The charcoal dough is as dead as it sounds though."

- May Ong 'The Savage'

But don't take our word for it, 'Durian King' will be available for you to try out yourself this durian season from July 19 through mid-August, while stocks last.

The pizza will be available in limited quantities every day at all Pezzo outlets islandwide except Changi Airport Terminal 2, and sells for $5.90 per slice and $32.90 for a whole 14-inch pan.

Just be prepared to be hit with the smell of durian before you even enter the restaurant and for it to linger afterwards on your hands, which may not be a bad thing.

thanhb@sph.com.sg

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