Taiwan Today

While bananas, pineapples, and mandarin oranges retain their traditional popularity, consumers can now purchase a wide range of newly-introduced exotic fruits, graphically illustrated by the following selection.

Sapodilla – Originally from the tropical regions of South America, it was introduced into Taiwan from Java during the 1920s. Sapodilla is planted in the plains and mountain slopes near Chiayi and Yunlin Counties. In Taiwan, most of the sapodilla crop is eaten raw, but some sapodilla is made into jam and juice.

Wax Apple (or Wax Jambo) – Malaya is the original home of the wax apple. As early as the 17th Century, the Dutch had imported wax apple seedlings from Java to Taiwan. Following Improvement in orchard management skills and the adjustment of harvest seasons in the 1980s, the quality of wax apples was upgraded. Wax apples are mostly planted in the plains of southern Taiwan. They may be eaten raw, canned, pickled or made into juice.

Jackfruit – A tropical fruit originally found in India, the jackfruit is very large and it can weigh as much as 110 pounds. It grows in clusters of up to ten per tree. Jackfruits are planted in southern Taiwan. They may be eaten raw, made into jam and juice, canned, dried or stewed. The seeds of the jackfruit are either cooked or ground into powder.

Black Pearl Variety of Wax Apple –­ This is a genetic hybrid of the normally pink wax apple. The black pearl variety is famous for its dark red color and sweet taste.

Passion Fruit – This fruit originated in Brazil's tropical rain forests. It was first introduced to Taiwan in 1901 by way of Japan. In 1936 another variety of passion fruit was introduced from the United States. Passion fruit plantations are usually located on the slopes of hills below 1,600 feet in eastern, central, and southern Taiwan. Most of the passion fruit crop is made into canned juice or packed into bags and frozen for export. Only a fraction of the crop is eaten raw.

Longan (or Longana) – Originally from Fukien and Kwangtung Provinces of the Chinese mainland, this subtropical fruit was first introduced into Taiwan from Fukien centuries ago. It was planted on the sides of mountains in central and southern Taiwan. As time passed, the longan groves grew into natural forests. Nowadays longan is planted primarily in the plains and hillsides beneath an elevation of 1,800 feet in central and southern Taiwan. Such fruits are mainly consumed raw or as dried fruit. A small part of the longan crop is canned.

"Ping-Pong" (Sterculia Nobilis) ­– Originally this fruit was grown in the southern part of mainland China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. When ripe, the red skin of "ping-pong" (a phonetic transliteration from Chinese) cracks diagonally and the black seed is said to resemble the eye of a phoenix. Therefore, it is also known as "phoenix eye fruit." "Ping-pong" is grown mainly in central and southern Taiwan. It tastes like a chestnut and is usually roasted or baked.

Pomelo (or Wentan, the name in southern Fukien dialect) – This fruit is native to Burma, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 1701, pomelo was introduced into Taiwan from the southern part of mainland China. Pomelos are mostly planted on plains areas or on the slopes of hills beneath an elevation of 900 feet in central and southern Taiwan. Pomelo is usually eaten when ripe. Its peel may be preserved or pressed for oil. Its harvest season coincides with the traditional Chinese Moon Festival in September, making it a popular holiday gift.

Chinese Jujube (or fresh date) ­– The jujube originally hails from the central part of mainland China. About 120 years ago, it was brought from Kwangtung Province and transplanted in Miaoli County, northern Taiwan. At first, jujube cultivation was rare and the fruits were usually gathered as snacks. Later, the fruit was used as a Chinese medicine. It was not until 1983, when the fruit was popularized by a well-publicized tourist orchard, that Chinese jujube became widely known in Taiwan. Jujube is mostly planted on the sides of mountains in central Taiwan at elevations lower than 900 feet. A major part of the crop is dried while a minor part is either eaten when ripe or used for brewing wine.

Sweetsop – It is said that the Dutch imported sweetsop from South America into Taiwan about 400 years ago. At first, it was planted in the outlying areas of Tainan in southern Taiwan. Sweetsop now may be found around the island, but it is usually grown on plains and gentle slopes in eastern, central, and southern Taiwan. Sweetsop is either eaten when ripe or made into juice or jam.

Ponkan – A variety of citrus fruit which was first cultivated in subtropical India, ponkan made its Taiwan debut in 1775, and was reintroduced to Taiwan several times in the following half-century. At present, the ponkan grown in Taichung and Chiayi Counties is especially liked throughout Taiwan. Ponkan is usually grown on the sides of mountains at or below 1,800 feet in central and southern Taiwan. Ponkan is eaten when ripe or made into juice, jam, and tangerine peel sauce. It is also canned or dried.

Roselle – The fruit was first introduced into Taiwan from Singapore in 1910, but it was originally grown in India. Roselle is very acidic and must be processed before it can be of any use. Roselle is mostly planted in the plains and on the gentle slopes in eastern Taiwan. The red pod or calyx of the roselle cannot be eaten raw. It must be dried before it can be made into jam, juice, tea, or other drinks. If sugar is added, roselle can be fermented and made into wine. Unripe roselle is used as an ingredient for vinegar.

Indian Jujube – This fruit was introduced into Taiwan a long time ago. In recent decades, there have been repeated crossings of Indian jujube with other strains. The hybridization resulted in a larger, more flavorful fruit, and the harvest date was shifted to an earlier time. The main Indian jujube plantations are located in the plains of southern Taiwan. A large part of the Indian jujube crop is eaten when ripe, while the remainder is preserved.

Egg-Fruit (or Canistel) – Introduced into Taiwan from the Philippines for trial planting in 1929, egg-fruit originally comes from southern Florida and Cuba. Egg-fruit is mostly planted on plains areas and hillsides under an elevation of 900 feet in Chiayi County and City. The fruit may be eaten when ripe.

Banana – Although originally from the foot of the Himalaya Mountains in India, about 240 years ago the banana was introduced into Taiwan from the southern part of mainland China. At first, bananas were planted in central Taiwan. Later they were promoted as a model crop in the southern part of Taiwan and were especially popular in Kaohsiung. Bananas are primarily planted on plains and mountainsides below an elevation of 1,200 feet in central and southern Taiwan. Most bananas are eaten when ripe, while a small part of the crop is left for making banana chips, mashed bananas, and banana powder.

Carambola (or Star Fruit) – This species was imported from Malaysia into Taiwan a long time ago. Carambolas became larger, sweeter, juicier, and more popular among consumers only after years of repeated selections, promotions, and improvement in orchard management skills. Carambola is primarily planted on the plains of central and southern Taiwan. The sweet variety of carambola is mostly eaten when ripe, while the sour variety is made into juice and preserves, dried, canned, or used to make wine.

Sugar Cane – Taiwan did not start growing sugar cane until the 14th Century. Actually, sugar cane is not a fruit. However, Chinese people appreciate its juiciness and often use it to make cold drinks or snacks. Sugar cane is mainly planted on plains areas in central and southern Taiwan.

Tankan – Tankans have a soft and juicy pulp. Their moderately sweet taste and few seeds make them especially popular in Taiwan. The fruit originally came from southern mainland China. The plantations of tankans are usually set out on hilly slopes below an elevation of 1,800 feet in northern, central, and eastern Taiwan. Most of the tankan crop is eaten when ripe and some are canned or juiced.

Tainung No.4 Pineapple – A popular variety of pineapple, the No.4 is smaller than most pineapples. It is very fragrant and not pulpy or fibrous. As the pineapple matures, its fleshy, closely packed mass can easily be separated into identical fruitlets. This fruit is grown mainly in southern and eastern Taiwan.

Guava – Cultivation of guavas in Taiwan may be traced back as early as 1694. Between 1915 and 1918, improved varieties of guava were imported from Hawaii and India for trial planting. In 1949, superior guava strains were selected and promoted for widespread cultivation in Taiwan. Thus, guava plantations may be found throughout the island. Guavas may be eaten while still green. Overripe yellow guavas can be made into juice or eaten as is.

Hengshan Pear – This Chinese favorite first made its way to Taiwan from the southern part of China in 1890. Hengshan pear plantations are to be found mostly on the plains and along mountains below 1,800 feet. Most of the Hengshan pear crop is eaten when ripe while some pears are canned and made into juice.

Kyoho Grapes – Introduced from Japan in the 1960s, this variety of grape now may be harvested three times a year. The first harvest lasts from mid-June to early August; the second stretches from mid-September to mid-October; and the third is between late December and late February. The summer and winter harvests have the largest yields. With proper hormonal treatment before blossoming and after fruit-bearing, a seedless variety of Kyoho grapes can also be produced.

(SOURCE: A COLLECTION OF TAWAN'S FRUITS (IN CHINESE) WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY LIAO MIN-CHING, TAIPEI, 1985)