Starting in forested mountains, Taitung coffee beans undertake an aromatic journey to end up in your cup. Caressed by breezes from the Pacific and surrounded by misty mountains, coffee beans from this part of the world are imbued with a unique aroma and flavor.
(Photo credit: 艾蘭哥爾藝文咖啡館IG @alanger_cafe_)
Taitung’s coffee beans benefit from a truly exceptional environment. The pleasant subtropical climate with year-round temperatures, fertile soil rich in volcanic minerals, and high terraced elevation makes the area’s coffee beans especially rich in flavors.
Many say that Taitung is the perfect place to grow coffee, and every bean from here carries a certain local charm. From Taiwan’s South Link to the Coastal Mountain Range, coffee from each particular area has a different flavor. For instance, beans from Taimali and Dawu are considered island varieties, which have a bright, thick, chocolaty, acidic aroma. On the other hand, beans from inland areas such as Guanshan and Yanping are infused with the mellow caramel notes of highland coffee. Chishang and Donghe blend together a caramel sweetness with a refreshing acidity.
Taitung coffee beans stand out because of their high quality. In addition to the blessings of the local environment, the beans benefit even more from the hard work of the local farmers. Currently, over one third of Taitung’s total area of coffee cultivation is certified organic, which demonstrates that ecofriendly farming practices have already been widely adopted. Thanks to the painstaking effort of these farmers, we can enjoy some of the freshest and purest coffee beans in the world.
For example, the Sunrise Collective (日出禾作) of Dianguang Village in Guanshan Township, offers unprocessed coffee beans that were grown without chemicals. Adhering to the most traditional manual processes of picking directly from trees and sun-drying, the Sunrise Collective’s simple “village flavor” imbues their coffee beans with exceptional taste and aroma. Even more special, the Sunrise Collective is the first business in Taiwan to receive a “zero-carbon coffee” certification, so we can sip with the knowledge that every one of their coffee beans is doing their bit to protect the environment.
(Photo credit: 日出禾作 IG@richuhezuo )
(Photo credit: 拾光快門 )
The county government has spared no effort in recent years to showcase Taitung’s coffee, bolstering local coffee culture through various means. For example, the county has helped guide farmers in getting organic and ecofriendly certifications while promoting the “Left Bank of The Pacific Taitung Coffee” brand. In early July 2024, the county will also hold the second Taitung Creative Iced Coffee Championship. Students and coffee enthusiasts from around Taitung will be invited to participate and introduce their outstanding creations to the public. Their entries must follow the “Taitung Vibe” theme and use creative and artistic approaches to make unique iced coffee beverages. With support from the county, the competition aims to inspire boundless innovation while promoting Taitung’s distinctive coffee culture.
From July 20 to 21, Taitung will also hold the 2024 Austronesian Coffee Mart, an event that every coffee enthusiast is sure to love,, with experts giving in-depth talks on coffee culture. Participants will also have the chance to roast their own coffee, try coffee from different areas around Taitung, and enjoy watching professional baristas show off their latte making skills. These holistic activities will arouse in enthusiasts a coffee-induced experience of synesthesia as all the senses are activated.
The enthusiasm from both consumers and producers for Taitung’s coffee is stronger than ever. The Taitung County Government plans to bring together the best coffee beans from areas such as the South Link and East Rift Valley to launch a limited edition “2024 Taitung Blend”. As such, coffee enthusiasts will have the chance to enjoy even more flavors of coffee.
(Photo credit: 日出禾作 IG@richuhezuo )
The story of Taitung’s coffee begins with a warm aroma that permeates through the heartfelt efforts of farmers on forested mountains, the careful promotion of the county government and coffee businesses, and ends with the refined tastebuds of coffee enthusiasts around the world. Through this journey, we can taste the cultural beauty and wild elegance of Taitung’s coffee beans.
