How is Taiwan Coffee? Where to Find the Best Coffee Beans in Taiwan and What Are Their Flavor Characteristics?

FrontStreet Coffee - Taiwan Coffee Introduction

Taiwan, sitting on the golden belt for coffee cultivation between the northern and southern latitudes, is home to the famous Alishan region. With its ideal altitude, air quality, soil composition, and temperature, Alishan is perfectly suited to growing high-quality coffee beans. Yet from 1884, when the British first brought coffee trees to Taiwan, the industry remained relatively obscure for over a century. Coffee farmers did not devote themselves to cultivation, missing opportunities during the Japanese colonial period and the American aid era, and when they finally began serious cultivation, they faced Taiwan's devastating 921 earthquake, which could not break the spirit of the island's coffee farmers and enthusiasts.

But they did not give up. Taiwanese growers poured their sweat and dedication into their work, and in 2009 their efforts were at last recognized globally. Alishan coffee beans took the stage of the world's specialty coffee scene, achieving 11th place, the best performance in all of Asia. It was the first time Asia had reached such a high ranking, giving the few organic coffee estates on Alishan tremendous confidence while attracting global attention.

From that point on, Taiwan's estate owners broadened their horizons and invested more energy in coffee cultivation. They became better at gathering global specialty coffee information, mastering cupping techniques, and paying greater attention to post-processing. In 2014, during the Q Certificate certification run by America's CQI (Coffee Quality Institute), Taichung's Long Coffee Organic Ecological Park scored 84.41 points, while Alishan's Tropical Rhythm Estate reached an impressive 84.67 points, surpassing many global specialty coffees and even rivaling Kenya AA. In 2015, their scores exceeded 85 points, further distancing them from the competition.

Unfortunately, Taiwan is small, with annual coffee production not exceeding 700 metric tons, to say nothing of the limited output of award-winning beans from Alishan competitions. This scarcity has made it a sought-after specialty destination for connoisseurs worldwide. In Taiwan's 130-year coffee cultivation history, eight major production regions have emerged. Today, beyond producing world-class specialty coffee that captivates masters around the globe,

The coffee trees are low-yield Typica varieties, planted at 1,200 meters altitude in Alishan, with citrus and longan trees as companion shade species. They practice organic cultivation certified by the American Coffee Association. Tropical Rhythm Estate employs rotational fallow farming, allowing the organic soil to develop fully, so currently only 2.5 hectares can be harvested, with just 500 kilograms of cherries per hectare. This batch we obtained was unaffected by frost damage.

On tasting, the tongue does not detect an obvious dry sweetness, but there is a distinct tea-like astringency, a rather unique sensation. As the coffee flows to the middle sides of the tongue, a bright and lively citrus acidity immediately leaps across the palate. As you swallow, the citrus acidity quickly fades, revealing a distinct and clear personality with a pure mouthfeel. The highlight is that even 10 minutes after swallowing, the coffee's sweet aftertaste lingers in the throat; the finish lasts exceptionally long, clearly characteristic of high-altitude beans. This aftertaste is not the typical bitterness of coffee but a wonderful flavor that is hard to describe, like having enjoyed a fine tea that remains comfortably in the throat.

FrontStreet Coffee Philosophy

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall that is happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month we hold three coffee promotion events with significant discounts, because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices; this has been our mission for six years.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Taiwan's Alishan coffee is a Typica grown at high altitude, and it is that same variety and elevation that shape the clean, tea-like, long-finishing cup described here. FrontStreet Coffee roasts two lots that speak to that character. The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan Sun-Dried Typica is planted at 1,300 m from the ancient Typica variety, the same one grown on Alishan, and its medium roast yields hazelnut, dried apricot, black tea, caramel, and ripe plum with a clean, lasting finish.

For a brighter, more floral expression of high-altitude Typica terroir, the FrontStreet Panama Boquete Washed Geisha is a washed estate-level lot grown at 1,600 m, showing jasmine, green tea, honey, and orange. Both reward the gentle, clean brewing that lets a delicate high-grown coffee show its long, sweet finish.