Taitung Through The Tastebuds
Taitung’s coffee culture has quietly flourished in recent years. Rather than simply importing Western coffee trends, local cafés are crafting uniquely Taitung-style blends. Mese Coffee draws inspiration from the region’s abundant roselle to create a distinct roselle coffee, where the tart-sweet profile meets the bitterness of espresso in perfect harmony. Ching Hou Coffee boldly incorporates the Indigenous spice prickly ash into a latte, combining its signature freshness with the richness of coffee. Haiyue Café offers a Valencia-style coffee with a touch of Sicilian flair that is rich and balanced, never overly sweet. These creative specialty drinks are becoming icons of Taitung’s coffee identity and are promoted by the Taitung County Government as part of its local specialty industry development.
(Photo credit: @miier.1992)
(Photo credit: @_eat88_)
(Photo credit: LI.KA CAFE)
Native Ingredients – Taitung’s Secret Weapon
What sets Taitung’s cafés apart is their deep connection with local agricultural products. In 2023, for example, the region produced 63 tons of roselle. Leshan Farm exclusively uses roselle grown in Taitung, hand-weeded and cultivated naturally, ensuring purity and safety in every 50g pack. Princeken Coffee Company blends locally brewed Luye Red Oolong with espresso to create one of their top-selling drinks. “Through the prickly ash coffee and latte, we want more people to learn about this traditional spice,” says the owner of Ching Hou Coffee. “It’s not just a seasoning but a part of Indigenous culture.” LI.KA CAFÉ collaborates with Indigenous communities to source maqaw mountain pepper, infusing every cup with warmth and cultural connection.
(Photo credit: LI.KA CAFE)
(Photo credit: @happiness_of_vanessa)
Cultural Connection in Every Sip
These Taitung-style coffees are more than just flavorful—they are gateways to the region’s heritage. LI.KA CAFÉ’s maqaw coffee embodies the Bunun people’s blessings and protection. Mese Coffee’s roselle blend represents a deep bond with the local land and was selected in 2022 as one of “Taiwan’s Top 25 Cafés,” drawing over 2,000 monthly visitors, 40% of whom are travelers. At Trianon Bakery, the Roselle Sparkling Americano reimagines roselle’s tart-sweet notes in a fizzy form, reminiscent of a bold Sicilian brew. These beverages prove that local creations can shine without imitating foreign trends—Taitung now has its own iconic coffee offerings.
(Photo credit: @zuohand_zz)
(Photo credit: @ching_hou_coffee)
Sip Slow and Feel the Warmth of Taitung
Taitung’s terroir coffee has enriched Taiwan’s overall coffee landscape while creating new economic opportunities. With over 50 specialty coffee shops across the county, the sector has generated roughly 300 jobs, many of which support returning youth who are building businesses through coffee. So when you visit Taitung, take a moment to slow down. Enjoy the tangy roselle brew at Mese Coffee, the herbal freshness at Ching Hou Coffee, a sunset Valencia-style cup at Haiyue Café, or a maqaw latte under the stars at the beachside LI.KA CAFÉ. With every cup of local Taitung coffee, you’ll uncover a region full of surprises—a place where tradition meets modernity and nature thrives in harmony with culture.
