GEORGE TOWN, April 22 -- The King of Fruits has made an early and impressive entrance in Penang, with durian lovers already finding early-season favourites like D604, Lipan, and even Musang King on sale weeks ahead of schedule.

Thanks to a prolonged dry spell, sellers are promising a season of exceptionally creamy textures and intense, concentrated flavours.

The lack of rain, they say, has resulted in fruit that is less watery and more potent, kicking off what is expected to be a long and bountiful season, The Star reported.

At a stall along Jalan Anson, veteran durian seller Ang Hock Leng, 63, said the quality of the first drop has been excellent.

"While it is still early, the fruits that have hit the market are good and tasty. The f...