A regional confectionery manufacturer wanted to create a premium durian-flavored chocolate praline for the Malaysia and Singapore markets. Their previous attempts had encountered three persistent problems:

1. Poor flavor stability during storage (flavor deterioration after 2-3 weeks)
2. Inconsistent taste profile batch-to-batch due to seasonal variations in natural durian extract
3. Overpowering sulfur notes that created consumer rejection among durian “moderates”

VKA’s Approach

Having created one of the first, if not the first viable durian flavors in the world, VKA approached this complex challenge with five decades of tropical fruit expertise:

1. Durian Variety Expertise: Our flavorists analyzed five different durian varieties (Musang King, D24, Golden Phoenix, XO, and Red Prawn) to identify the ideal flavor profile for a chocolate application. This revealed that D24’s balanced sulfur compounds and creamy notes paired best with cocoa.
2. Stability Engineering: Our technical team identified that the traditional chocolate manufacturing process created three specific challenges for durian flavor:
   • Thermal degradation during conching
   • Oxidation during storage
   • Flavor-binding to cocoa particulates
3. Custom Solution: VKA developed an advanced durian flavor system featuring:
   • Heat-stable flavor compounds specifically engineered to withstand chocolate production
   • A proprietary encapsulation technology that protected volatile components
   • A time-release mechanism that provided an authentic durian experience from first bite through lingering notes

Results

The client launched their durian praline line with exceptional outcomes:

• Shelf-life testing confirmed stable flavor for 9 months—a 400% improvement over previous attempts
• Batch consistency achieved 98% flavor profile matching across production runs
• Consumer acceptance testing showed broad appeal beyond core durian enthusiasts, with 63% of durian “moderates” rating the product favorably

“VKA’s durian expertise is unmatched. Their team solved technical problems we’d struggled with for years. The flavor system delivered an authentic durian experience without overwhelming our chocolate base, and the stability exceeded our expectations. Most importantly, production is now consistent regardless of durian seasonality.” — Senior Product Development Manager, Regional Confectionery Manufacturer