Miri welcomes early fruity arrival of durians, dabai in Tamu Muhibbah

Kak Ida selling dabai at Tamu Muhibbah, Miri. Photo taken on July 23, 2024.

By Lian Cheng and Marlynda Meraw

MIRI, July 23: Miri’s Tamu Muhibbah market is abuzz with excitement as durians, dabai (Borneo olive), and mangosteens make an early appearance, delighting both locals and visitors ahead of the usual season.

A few stalls were seen selling the olives, with 53-year-old Kak Ida among one of the vendors offering this seasonal fruit.

As the delicacy is not for sale yet in Kuching as the fruiting season is still a ways off, DayakDaily approached Kak Ida to ask where she had sourced the dabai.

“I got these (dabai) from Bekenu. You can see the thickness of the flesh just by looking at the ‘eye’(yellow circular part of the dabai),” said Kak Ida as she held up three dabai fruits for comparison.

Kak Ida holding up the dabai fruits to discern the thickness of the flesh.

When dabai is in season, she explained that the price can drop to as low as RM30 per kilo for the smaller fruits, RM35 for medium, and RM40 for the largest. However, when out of season, dabai can cost as much as RM100 per kilo.

When asked which dabai tastes the best, Kak Ida said that those from Bekenu and Kanowit have the best taste, and the ones with yellow flesh are the most fatty.

Another stall, just a short walk away and owned by 25-year-old Ado, sold mangosteens and durians, both of which are also seasonal fruits.

He sourced both fruits from Marudi, Batu Niah, Lawas, and Limbang, and according to him, the yield is quite early this year, as the season usually falls in October. — DayakDaily

Ado’s stall selling durian, mangosteens, jackfruit, and dabai.