Production
The first coffee plants on Taiwan were imported by the British to Tainan in 1884 with the first significant small scale cultivation taking place in New Taipei City's Sanxia District. Tainan remains the heart of Taiwanese coffee culture. [1]
Commercial coffee production in Taiwan began during the Japanese colonial period. [1] The Japanese developed the industry to feed the export market. [2] Production reached a peak in 1941 following the introduction of arabica coffee plants. Production declined shortly thereafter as a result of World War II. [1] Domestic production is small--at 856 tons in 2023 [3] --but of high quality. Imported beans account for the vast majority of coffee sold in Taiwan.
The coffee borer beetle is a significant pest in Taiwan. [4]
Tainung No. 1 is the first popular domestically bred coffee cultivar. It can be grown at lower altitudes than most coffee varieties and produces excellent quality beans. [2] Tainung No. 1 was released in 2025. [5]
Consumption
During the Japanese colonial period between 1895 and 1945, Coffee, like other colonial introductions, was regarded as a sign of modernity. It was often made using a siphon, and tended to be strong and bitter. [6] Production reached a peak in 1941 following the introduction of arabica coffee plants by the Japanese colonial authorities. [1]
More recently, Starbucks' outlets in Taiwan have introduced local drinkers to espresso-based milk beverages, which are often milder than the brews traditionally served there. [6] Domestic production is still small, but of high quality; imported beans account for the vast majority of coffee sold in Taiwan. In 2016, domestic production was 900 tons while 30,000 tons was imported. [7] That year, a Taiwanese, Berg Wu, won the World Barista Championship; the victory helped bring to attention Taiwan's substantial involvement in coffee culture. [6]
By 2020, there were more than 15,000 coffee shops in Taiwan, including Starbucks, Taiwanese coffee shop chains, convenience stores, and independent outlets. [8] During that year, average coffee consumption surpassed average tea consumption for the first time. [9] By 2024, a significant percentage of specialty coffee shops were roasting their own beans, and tourists had started visiting Taiwan specifically to go "cafe hopping". Taiwan had become the third-largest coffee consumer per capita in Asia, and the average Taiwanese person was drinking 177 cups of coffee per year. [6]
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