Despite producing only about 1,000 tonnes annually, Taiwan's specialty coffee beans command premium prices worldwide. Growers in regions like Alishan focus on small-batch, high-quality production, with beans fetching record prices at auctions like the Cup of Excellence. The cooler mountain climate slows cherry ripening, enhancing flavor complexity, but labor-intensive hand-picking drives up costs, making Taiwanese coffee a luxury product in the global market.
In the final instalment of a three-part series on Taiwan beyond semiconductors, CNA looks at how the island is building a reputation for small-batch specialty coffee.
In the scenic mountains of Alishan, more than 1,200m above sea level, farmers produce small batches of specialty coffee that are attracting buyers willing to pay more. Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.
CHIAYI COUNTY, Taiwan: Taiwan produces only a small amount of coffee each year, but its specialty beans fetch some of the world's highest prices as growers prioritise quality over scale to carve out a niche in the premium coffee market. In the scenic mountains of Alishan, more than 1,200m above sea level, farmers produce small batches of specialty coffee that are attracting buyers willing to pay more.
At last year's Cup of Excellence, an annual auction platform for high-quality coffees, Taiwanese beans recorded the world's highest average selling price at US$52 a pound, nearly three times the average price of beans from second-placed El Salvador. Unable to compete on volume, Taiwanese coffee growers are instead focusing on producing distinctive, high-quality beans that command premium prices.
“Because of the cooler climate, the coffee cherries grow much more slowly,” said Fang. “That slower growth allows them to build up more flavour compounds, sugars and density. ” That slower ripening process has helped Taiwan's beans stand out among those from traditional coffee-producing countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia.
However, observers say that quality comes at a price. Farmers carefully hand-pick only ripe coffee cherries before processing them, a labour-intensive approach that drives up production costs.
“The daily wage I pay one coffee picker could hire more than 40 workers in Ethiopia, or more than a dozen in Central America,” said Fang. Taiwan produces a small amount of coffee each year – around 1,000 tonnes. But it imports about 50,000 tonnes of beans to satisfy domestic demand. Unable to compete on volume, growers are instead focusing on craftsmanship and producing distinctive, high-quality beans that command premium prices.
At San Formosan Coffee, which specialises exclusively in Taiwanese beans, owner Sylvia Lin hopes to introduce more people to coffee grown on the island.
“Our goal is to showcase the unique flavours from Taiwan's different coffee-growing regions,” she said. Coffee drinker Stephanie Lee said: “Even though it's a bit more expensive, I think it's worth it, because it's something you can only really experience here in Taiwan. ”The island drinks more than 4 billion cups of coffee a year – roughly 200 cups per person, among the highest consumption rates in Asia.
Competition is also intensifying as international brands expand their presence on the island. For instance, Japanese chain Komeda Coffee entered Taiwan in 2018 and now operates 36 outlets. Benny Ho, founder of local chain Cama Cafe, said greater competition would ultimately benefit the industry.
“Over the next three to five years, I think Taiwan's coffee market will become even more competitive, and that's inevitable,” he added. “More international coffee brands have entered the market recently. But I think that's a good thing. It exposes us to global competition and pushes us to keep improving in every aspect of our business.
” Beyond the domestic market, farmers and roasters are also looking to expand exports to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, where demand for specialty coffee continues to grow. Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review
Please follow us on Google to support usTaiwan Coffee Specialty Coffee Alishan Cup Of Excellence Premium Coffee
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taiwan's Whisky Industry is Challenging Long-Established ProducersTaiwan's unique climate is helping its whisky makers produce distinctive whiskies that are gaining recognition around the world.
Read more »
Taiwan's preparations to face a Chinese attack are not a provocation, senior official saysTAIPEI — Taiwan's preparations to deal with a possible Chinese attack are not a provocation, and the island's people need to take the threat seriously and prepare now, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Tuesday (July 7).
Read more »
China's actions risk creation of new status quo, Taiwan official saysTAIPEI — China's gradually increasing pressure tactics risk creating an entirely new status quo in the Taiwan Strait, which the international community may not realise until it is too late, a senior Taiwan official said on Wednesday (July 8).
Read more »
Taiwan's premium chocolate industry faces challenges due to climate pressuresTaiwan's emerging premium chocolate industry is facing challenges due to growing climate pressures, despite gaining global recognition for its tree-to-bar chocolates. The industry is adapting to the changing environment and finding new ways to produce high-quality chocolate.
Read more »