The Breeding of Roselle ‘Taitung No.6–Black Crystal’, developed by the Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station in 2021, has transformed the local roselle industry. This new variety features deep purplish-red calyxes with an anthocyanin content of 30.6 mg/g DW—7.7 times higher than the traditional Taitung No.3 and even surpassing blueberries and blackcurrants.
(Photo credit: @ting7357)
Its tightly clustered calyxes mature simultaneously, allowing batch harvesting and significantly increasing efficiency. Dry calyx yield can reach 1,200 kg per hectare—four times that of Taitung No.3.
Roselle thrives without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, relying only on clean air, fresh stream water, and ample sunlight. With optimal climate and soil, Taitung produces over 90% of Taiwan’s roselle, with the South Link region contributing 60% of the county’s output.
(Photo credit: Jia Shing Food)
(Photo credit: Taitung County Farmers’ Association)
(Photo credit:
Taitung County Farmers’ Association)
Pioneers of Pesticide-Free Cultivation
Farmers in Taitung widely adopt eco-friendly cultivation. Thanks to roselle’s resilience against pests and disease, natural farming can be practiced without pesticide use while maintaining high quality and stable yields. This harmonious approach to the land makes roselle a representative sustainable crop.
Taitung County continues to expand organic and eco-friendly farmland—1,337 hectares of organic-certified land and 1,136 hectares of eco-friendly farmland in 2023, ranking third nationwide and forming a strong foundation for sustainable specialty crops.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Farmers’ Association)
From Food Processing to Culinary Culture
In Taitung, roselle inspires culinary creativity. Jia Shing Food, a long-established local processor, has spent over 30 years developing roselle products including roselle concentrate, preserves, and jam. All products are made in Taitung using local roselle without artificial colors or preservatives, reflecting the company’s commitment to food safety.
With 32 years of long-term contract farming, Jia Shing Food secures top-quality roselle while supporting farmer livelihoods—an exemplary model of shared prosperity.
(Photo credit: Jia Shing Food)
(Photo credit: Jia Shing Food)
Roselle on the Slow Food Table
At the Taitung Slow Food Festival, roselle appears in many innovative dishes. Kaiana Workshop creates crisp and tangy roselle preserves mixed with lemon juice and rock sugar, a popular item at the Slow Food market.
Creative dishes such as Roselle Pepper Pork Meatballs and Roselle Rice-Fermented Red Quinoa Ice Cream reinterpret traditional ingredients and are well received at river-to-table events and the Roadside Banquet.
These innovations enrich Taitung’s culinary identity and illustrate a complete farm-to-table value chain. Under The Taitung Slow Food Select, the principles of “quality, purity, and fairness” guide restaurants in using local ingredients, allowing roselle to shine across 31 selected establishments.
(Photo credit: @ting7357)
