Be a Flower Farmer in Taitung – Experience Roselle Picking at Pulami Farm

Pulami Farm was founded and run by Paiwanese Ms. Xiuchun and Mr. Zhimin. “Pulami” means abundance in the Paiwanese language, the phrase is used to praise the heavens for giving a plentiful harvest. Roselle is also known as rosella, Jamaican sorrel, or java jute, and is a plant that belongs to the hibiscus family. The part of the roselle flower that we consume and use to make tea is the flower’s calyx. Roselle bloom in October. The pink and soft pedals resemble the Taiwan Hibiscus, blooming in the morning and wilting by noon. The calyx continues to grow into full and red fruit. They become fully mature and ready for harvest in about a month.

Roselle only grows in warm and sunny conditions and does not thrive in humid areas. The South Link Line of Taitung has ideal drainage and gravel hills that are suitable for growing roselle. Besides roselle, Pulami Farm produces millet and red quinoa. Did you know that millet and roselle are “tenants” of the same land? After the millet is harvested in June, roselle seeds are sowed and the new “tenant” moves into the farmland. “This tenant is very easygoing!” This refers to how roselle does not need fertilization or application of pesticide, making it completely safe to consume.

After Ms. Xiuchun puts on her gloves and bamboo hat, we’re off to the farms together! Roselle must be picked by hand, and the harvesting window is very short. Therefore, a large amount of manpower is required to prevent it from spoiling. The Paiwanese came up with a method called “Labor Trade.” Everyone would gather to help harvest roselle from the family who has ripened roselle. The idea that “I’ll come to help you today, and you’ll come to help me tomorrow,” really expresses the spirit of teamwork.

The process of picking roselle is quite complex. The flower stems are first cut from the fields, then the buds are snipped one by one. A tool called a “claw beam” is used to extract the capsule and seeds are removed one at a time. It took us a long time to clean out just a few flowers. What looks like a simple process turned out to be a true test of hand agility.

Under Ms. Xiuchun’s guidance, we made candied fruit out of the roselle that was just picked. First, the flowers must be cleaned, salted, and blanched. A clean jar is filled with sugar and roselle then sealed. A sweet and thoughtful handmade gift is complete. If you choose to make jam, wash and dry the roselle before blending them with sugar and lemon juice. The puree is cooked until thickened in a pot. The jam is perfect for spreading over toast, making tea, topping salads, or being used as a sauce for meats. The high nutritional value is just the cherry on top! Hesitate no more and visit Pulami Farm during the harvesting season. Enjoy the beautiful sights of blooming roselle flowers and return home with a sweet and tangy memory. You can even try specialty Paiwanese dishes such as shaken rice on your half-day trip!(Photo Credit：卜拉米-喇晌小棧FB)