This year Malaysia had more durian than it could sell. In June, FAMA said Penang's durian output was expected to pass 18,000 tonnes, up from about 17,000 tonnes the year before. Prices dropped and stalls were full.

If you own a slow juicer, you may have wondered whether that cheap durian could go in. It cannot. Durian is one of the local fruits a slow juicer handles worst.

That raises a useful question for anyone buying a slow juicer in Malaysia. Which of the fruits we actually buy here will work? This guide goes through them one by one.

How to tell if a fruit will juice well

A slow juicer turns at low speed and presses the fruit against a fine screen. The juice goes through the screen. The pulp comes out the other side.

So a fruit juices well when it has a lot of water in it and firm flesh. It juices badly when it is thick, creamy or sticky. Creamy fruit blocks the screen instead of passing through it.

Use this simple test at the market. If you can squeeze juice from the fruit with your hand, a slow juicer will probably handle it. If the flesh just squashes into a paste, blend it instead.

Ripeness matters too. The same fruit can juice well when firm and badly when overripe. A just-ripe pineapple gives clear juice. A very soft one turns to mush and slows the machine down. For juicing, buy fruit that is ripe but still firm.

Local fruits that juice well

Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the easiest fruits to juice. It is mostly water, so it gives a lot of juice for its size. Cut away the green skin and put in the red flesh. Small black seeds usually pass out with the pulp.

Pineapple

Pineapple gives a sweet, strong juice. Cut off the skin and the hard eyes first. The core is tough, so cut it into thin pieces or leave it out.

Starfruit

Starfruit is firm and full of water, so it juices easily. Slice it and remove any large seeds. Starfruit juice is quite sour, so many people mix it with something sweeter.

Guava

Guava juice comes out thick. Cut the fruit into small pieces. If it is very ripe and soft, mix it with a watery fruit such as watermelon so the screen does not block.

Citrus: limau, lime and orange

Peel them first. The skin and the white layer under it make juice bitter. Take out the seeds, then put in the segments.

Cucumber and green apple

Neither is exotic, but both are sold at every pasar. They are firm and watery, and they help softer fruit move through the machine.

Local fruits to blend, not juice

Durian

Durian flesh is thick, creamy and sticky, with very little free water. It will block the screen and give you almost no juice. If you want a durian drink, blend it with milk or ice instead.

Banana, avocado and ripe papaya

These are soft and creamy for the same reason. They are good in a smoothie, but not in a slow juicer.

Mango

A ripe mango is soft and thick. It juices poorly and can block the screen. Blend it, or mix a small amount with a watery fruit if your machine has a smoothie screen.

Jackfruit and cempedak

The flesh is sticky and the fruit has a sap that coats the parts. Both are better eaten fresh or blended.

Fruits that need care first

Some local fruits juice well only after you prepare them. The maker's manual is the final word for your model, and our juicer FAQ also answers common questions about what can go in.

1. Remove large seeds. Rambutan, longan, lychee and mango all have hard seeds. A hard seed can damage the parts inside the machine. Take every one out.
2. Peel thick or bitter skins. Mangosteen, dragon fruit skin and citrus skin should come off first.
3. Cut stringy produce short. Pineapple core, celery and some leafy greens have long fibres. Cut them into short pieces so the fibres do not wrap around the parts. Our guide on why celery keeps clogging a juicer explains this problem in detail.
4. Do not use frozen fruit. Frozen pieces are hard and can strain the machine. Let fruit reach room temperature first.

Mixing fruit for better results

Mixing a thick fruit with a watery one is the easiest trick. Guava with watermelon, or pineapple with cucumber, both work well. The watery fruit helps push the thicker pulp through the screen.

Order also matters. Put in soft pieces first and firm pieces after. The firm pieces help clean the screen as they pass through.

If you usually make juice for one, small amounts of mixed fruit also waste less. Our guide to choosing a juicer when you live alone covers portion size and storage.

Why local fruit suits a slow juicer in Malaysia

Local fruit is sold all year in Malaysia, and much of it is cheap in season. Watermelon, pineapple and starfruit rarely go out of stock. That makes them a good base for daily juice.

Juice made at home also tastes different from juice made in a blender. A blender keeps all the fibre, so the drink is thick. A slow juicer separates the juice from the pulp, so the drink is smooth. Our article on why blender juice is not the same as cold-pressed juice explains the difference.

If you are ready to choose a machine, you can compare slow juicers in Malaysia by size and features.

Seasonal fruit worth watching

Some local fruits are cheapest and best in their season. Knowing when they arrive helps you plan.

Durian has a main season in the middle of the year and a smaller one around December and January. As this year showed, a good season can bring a glut and low prices. It is still a fruit to eat or blend, not juice.

In Penang, mangosteen and rambutan are at their peak around June to August. Both juice well once peeled and seeded, and they make a sweet, light drink.

Harumanis mango from Perlis arrives around April to June. It is prized for eating fresh, and it is too soft to juice well.

Watermelon, pineapple, starfruit, guava and citrus are sold all year. They make a good base for everyday juice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put durian in a slow juicer?

No. Durian is thick and sticky, with very little free water. It blocks the screen and gives almost no juice. Blend durian with milk or ice instead.

Can a slow juicer make sugarcane juice?

A home slow juicer is not built for whole sugarcane stalks. The stalk is very hard and full of tough fibre. Sugarcane juice is usually made with a special roller press.

Do I need to remove seeds before juicing?

Remove large, hard seeds such as those in mango, rambutan, longan and lychee. They can damage the parts inside. Small soft seeds, like those in watermelon or dragon fruit, usually pass out with the pulp.

Can I juice mango in a slow juicer?

Ripe mango is soft and thick, so it juices poorly. It is better blended. If you want mango in your juice, mix a small amount with a watery fruit like watermelon.

Which local fruit gives the most juice?

Watery fruits give the most, and watermelon is usually the best of them. Pineapple, starfruit and citrus also give a good amount for their size.

Should I peel fruit before juicing?

Peel fruits with thick or bitter skin, such as citrus, pineapple and mangosteen. Thin skins, such as apple and cucumber, can usually stay on. Always wash fruit well first.