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Mangoes: Baby Green Mangoes From Taiwan

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Baby Green Mangoes
Baby Green Mangoes

Mangoes: Baby Green Mangoes From Taiwan

Mangoes are a special treat from the tropics.  The Baby Green Mango is special and makes an awesome snack. There are over 1,000 different varieties of Mango and they are all alkaline in the body. They are one of the power foods of the tropics! They are delicious! One cup of mango chunks provides over 76% of the daily vitamin C requirement for the body and is a great immune booster.  It provides 26% of the daily vitamin A requirement. It is a powerful antioxidant and has enzymes that protect the red blood cells. It has both potassium and magnesium, which help to balance out the salt intake in the body. These humble fruits are one of the most important super fruits that come to us from Southeast Asia and India. One of the many delightful varieties is the small Baby Green Mangoes produced in Taiwan.

Baby Green Mangoes were brought to Taiwan by the Dutch in the early 16th century. They quickly became a favorite and are often processed into snacks which the Taiwanese love.  They are also used for juicing, in salads, and soups.   Unripe and extremely sour mangoes are desirable, as most households prepare mango pickles which last for more than a year. Ripe mangoes are also highly valued due to their sweet taste. They are eaten after meals or in the evenings. Mangoes are a favorite dessert in Taiwan. Here are two Taiwan favorites for using small green mangoes.

MANGO PICKLE RECIPE

1: Rinse and wipe the mangoes well with a kitchen towel. chop the mangoes and add them in a bowl.

2: Add (I usually get the spices at the small Indian Market. The English name is first and the Indian name follows.)

  • fenugreek seeds/methi
  • fennel seeds/saunf
  • mustard seeds/sarson (optional)
  • nigella seeds/kalonji
  • salt

3: Coat the mango chunks evenly with the spices in a bowl and cover with cheesecloth. Leave 3-4 days in the sun. If cloudy you may need 5-6 days.

4: When the mango and the spices are well-integrated, put in a clean jar and fill to one inch above the fruit with mustard oil. If you like your pickles spicy, use room temperature. If you prefer milder pickles, heat the oil and then pour over the mango and spices. The mango pickles will keep for up to a year without refrigeration, however, they never last that long.

 

TROPICAL RED LENTIL AND RAW GREEN MANGO SOUP

Ingredients
1.5 cups red lentils
1 raw green mango chopped
1 cup coconut milk ( Most like to use 2 cups)
1 large carrot chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
1/2 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
a small piece of ginger minced
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red cayenne pepper
touch of turmeric
salt to taste
some chopped cilantro to garnish
some coconut flakes to garnish
1-2 tbsp oil
4-5 cups of broth or water

Heat a large pot or dutch oven. Add oil and onions, garlic and ginger. Fry lightly for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Add chopped mangoes, carrots and celery and fry lightly for another minute or two. Add coconut milk, 4-5 cups of  broth or water, turmeric, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper and bring to a boil. Add the lentils. Reduce flame, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are done. Garnish with some chopped cilantro, coconut flakes and a dash of cayenne pepper. Serve warm. (Recipe comes from  Fly N Cook Vegetarian Soups)

This is a fantastic soup for a cold winter day. Enjoy a touch of the tropic today! It is delicious! Next time you are in Taiwan sample all the many soups, salads, and snacks that begin with the Baby Green Mango. For more ideas on using the mango check out the government mango page at http://www.taiwan.gov.tw/cht/action/mango/eng/mango/mango06.html

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Enjoy Your Baby Green Mangoes Today!

The Persimmon’s Of Taiwan Wei wei jia Tourist Farm In Hsinchu County

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Persimmon’s Of Weiweijia Orchard

Welcome to the Weiweijia Orchard, home to some of the best persimmons in Taiwan. Fall has arrived in the mountain villages of eastern Hsinchu County, Taiwan, and the villages, no matter how small are alive with excitement, as it is time to harvest and dry the persimmons.

The villages are small, consisting mainly of the main avenue, and things move very slowly and peacefully. Fields are ripe and ready to harvest, with many vegetables, fruit orchards, and rice farms all around each of these tiny villages. But the highlight of them all is the persimmon harvest from late September to late December. The village of Hsinpu is perhaps one of the best-known villages during persimmon harvest, as it is the closest village to Weiweijia Orchard, one of the best known Traditional Hakka Persimmon Orchards in Hsinchu County.

So what sets the small village of Hsinpu apart from others, and how does Weiweijia Orchard fit into the puzzle? This is the center of Hakka culture, and here you see history come alive into everyday life. Traditional values are important here and many of the farms are well known for doing things the traditional way. Weiweijia Orchard is committed to bringing the cultural past of the Hakka people alive, and the persimmons are dried and cared for as they have always been. This is Hakka culture and history at work today!

Fall Is The Season Of Traditional Dried Persimmons In Taiwan

The mountains in Hsinchu County grow an abundance of persimmons. Some of the farmers just export them to fruit markets in the USA and throughout the world, others, using traditional Hakka methods, dry the fruit as it has always been done.  At Weiweijia Orchard, and many other traditional orchards, visitors are free to roam and watch all the different steps that go into drying the fruit. The fragrance of the fresh fruit drying in the sun is heavenly.

In Taiwan, no matter if the fruit is being dried and cared for like the Haka have done it for centuries, or if they are done by modern methods, the fruit is hand-picked fresh daily, washed, and the skins removed. Drying persimmons in Taiwan is an art, and the finished product a delicacy enjoyed throughout Asia.

Smiling Faces Greet You As You visit Weiweijia Orchard

So why is the Weiweijia Orchard such a special place for tourists? One, it is one of the few places where you can see each step of the drying process. It is also really close to the village of Hsinpu, making it convenient. Most people find that it takes no more than 10-15 minutes to walk to the farm from the village. That makes it really convenient and pleasurable. Put perhaps the greatest draw of all, is all the smiling faces willing to pose for photos. These beloved workers all dressed in traditional Hakka attire are perhaps one of the greatest assets to the farm, after the fruit itself.

Friendly Workers Drying The Fruit With Traditional Methods

If you are a photographer, you will love all the photo opportunities at this traditional Hakka orchard. As you approach the farm, you will see a traditional home with persimmons drying. Everything about this traditional Hakka farm is unique to the way things have always been among the Hakka. As you continue to the main orchard, you will see the bulk of the persimmons drying in the Taiwanese sun. There are many ways to see the drying racks, including a traditional viewing platform that is accessible by a small flight of stairs.

What a special opportunity it is to spend the day immersed in the traditional Hakka culture. There is so much to see and learn. Welcome to the living history of an ancient people, the Hakka.

These Persimmons Represent Centuries Of Wisdom

Centuries ago, the Hakka had many wars and was always on the flight. It was in that time period that they began drying everything. They would either dry or cure all their food so that if needed, it was easy to transport. The dried persimmons were their main food source during these tough times.  Dried food is light and easy to take with you when you must flee.

Thousands Of Persimmons Drying In The Sun

The fall in this area of Taiwan is dry, lacking in rain, and the winds continue to blow day after day. The Hakka, working with the land, the lack of rain, and the wind have for centuries found that this is the time for drying the persimmons. This is a perfect time, the perfect place, and the right people to make drying persimmons a success story.

Persimmons Drying In The Sun

So have you ever wondered what you would do with so many persimmons? One of the most unique teas is made from persimmons and ginger with spices. Let’s give this amazing tea a try!

Amazing Persimmon Tea

Recipe

Take about ten dried persimmon slices with a 4-inch piece of ginger sliced. Add to a pot with 2-3 cups of water (for stronger tea use less water). Then add the following spices: 1-2 tsp peppercorns, 1-2 sticks of cinnamon, 1-star anise,  1 pod cardamom, 1 tsp fennel, and 1-2 cloves. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Strain off the spices and serve black or with milk and a touch of honey. Delicious!

Note: This tea was inspired by a recipe from Mountain Field Farm Supply and changed to make the perfect cup by a member of the Explore Traveler Team. Everybody has their own idea for what makes that perfect cup of tea. 

Dried Persimmon Cakes Are A Sweet Traditional Dessert In Taiwan 

What a magnificent sight as you comb the hills in Hsinchu County for the famous persimmons drying in the Autumn weather of Taiwan. Autumn is a perfect time, as it is dry and the fall winds blow. This is the perfect time of year for making mouth-watering Persimmon Cakes. On their own, they are delicious, and they can be served in so many ways.

One of the mouth-watering ways to eat these persimmon cakes is to make a simple two-ingredient snack. Take a large dish that is then lined with parchment paper and slice however many persimmons you desire to bake. It is best if you slice them nice and thin. Cover the pan with the sliced persimmons and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Place in the oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Take out of the oven and let cool slightly. Serve while warm.  This is a well-loved snack among children and adults alike. It is delicious! It is fast! It is amazing!

More Persimmons Drying In The Sun

This is the land of the Hakka, and there are many farms that dry the persimmons the traditional way. Have you ever thought about what is the best way to eat one of these Persimmon Cakes? By far the favorite seems to be, to just get a spoon, and spoon out the lovely custard in the middle. Certainly, that is a marvelous way to eat one of these deliciously dried persimmons.

Another easy way that many like is to spread the fruit on a pan and let it dry some more. Then cut in strips and roll-up. The children call them fruit roll-ups. With no added sugar, it certainly is healthy. Others like to make juices and smoothies with the fruit. One delicious option is to take persimmons and ginger and put them in a blender. Blend and serve. Can you get any easier and still be delicious?

Making A Delicious Persimmon Wine

In looking for a good, but easy, Persimmon Wine Recipe, I found this one by “The Inn at the Crossroads.” It was taken from their website just as it was shared: http://www.innatthecrossroads.com/readyish-tart-persimmon-wine/

Tart Persimmon Wine Recipe

Makes 1 gallon

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs. ripe persimmons
  • 7 pints Water (enough to fill)
  • 3 cups of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoons Pectic Enzyme
  • 1 tsp Yeast Nutrient (optional)
  • 1 pkg wine yeast
  • 1 Tbs. saffron (optional)
Equipment:
  • 1 large glass jug, at least 1/5 gal. (two jugs are ideal, for moving wine back and forth between them.
  • airlock
  • cheesecloth
Cut your persimmons into chunks, removing any seeds. Place the fruit chunks in a large stewpot and add just enough of your 7 pints of water to cover. Simmer for around a half-hour, or until the fruit is mashable. Add the mashed fruit and the water it was simmered into a large glass jug.
Add the remaining ingredients and close the jug with an airlock. Allow sitting for one week.
Pour your wine through a filter, such as cheesecloth or a clean stocking, to remove the fruit pulp. Allow to sit for a couple of days, then rack into a clean bottle. Add saffron for color. Continue this process of racking until the wine turns clear and stops putting down any lees.
After about 2 1/2 weeks, ours was clear and a gorgeous color from the saffron. We racked it into bottles, and let it age.
*After about 3 months, it’s drinkable, but tart. You may want to add some honey.
*After about 5 months, it’s actually turning quite lovely!
This is an easy recipe that anyone can make at home. If you like wine, why not give it a try. Some people prefer to add a small amount of honey to the finished product.


Persimmon And Papaya Trees Growing In The Mountains Of Hsinchu County, Taiwan

The mountains of Hsinchu County, Taiwan, are the place to be if you are looking for fresh persimmons and papaya. Here in the mountains, you will find them growing together. Mainly in this area, you will see the Hakka picking the ripe persimmons to take back and dry the traditional way. However, you will also see Herbalists forging for this highly sought after fruit for medicinal reasons. Many physicians in Alternative Medicine believe persimmons to be effective for the control of High Blood Pressure. The leaf makes a good tea, as well as the fruit. It is also used to lower body temperature in cases of high fever.
Many Japanese physicians use both the fruit and the leaf to control fluid retention, high blood pressure, constipation, and stroke. It is also thought to control blood flow and helps in reducing body temperature.
In the USA and Europe, it is also considered to be a good aid for use in lowering blood pressure and helping to control fluid retention. Teas are often made from the leaf and the dried fruit. Because it is thought to control blood flow, it possibly is a good aid for controlling strokes.
Regardless of its medicinal uses and effectiveness, it is highly sought after by the Hakka for drying the traditional way and is prized throughout the world.

Smoked Persimmons And Friendly Faces At Weiweijia Orchard In Hsinchu County of Taiwan

So are you ready for a unique fall adventure in the mountains of Taiwan?  Fall is the time that the persimmons are drying and Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Tourist Farm in itself, is an adventure in Hakka life and culture.
If you are not driving out to the Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Tourist Farm, then the easiest way is to take the train to Jhubei Station in Hsinchu and then take a short walk to the bus station. The most direct bus line is bus 5618 to Hsinpu village. Just get off at the church and climb the hill to the farm.
This is the time to book your Hsinchu County adventure. Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Tourist Farm is the place to be. What an opportunity to smell the persimmons as they dry on their racks. The possibilities for outstanding photos are endless, and the workers are a delight. The workers at the Wei Wei Jia Persimmon Tourist Farm are the friendliest people around. You can not help but love the Hakka costumes and the bright and friendly smiles. For your convenience, there is a small store where you can buy persimmon products to take back home.
So why not pack your backpack, grab your passport, and head on out to Hsinchu County, Taiwan!
Persimmons of Taiwan @Copyright 2021

The Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

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             Tasty Snacks of Taiwan

The tasty snacks of Taiwan is one of the most important things you can do on any Taiwan adventure. There are so many, that for sure you can eat your way around the island. Taiwanese snacks are usually simple and easy to do. Their use of spices make the flavor extremely appetizing. In Taiwan, the philosophy is “to eat small and  to eat often.” You will find these small eats on street coroners and in the open markets. In Taipei, you will find more than 20 streets dedicated to these small tasty snacks.

Deep Fried Squid On A Stick

Such is the case with these deep-fried squid. Deep fried squid on a stick are amazingly delicious. They are so crunchy and good. Usually the smaller squid are used for this snack, often referred to as Calamari. The squid is washed , patted dry with a paper towel, and cut in rings.  Then take one egg white and beat it. Add the Calamari and coat all the squid evenly. Next take a couple of cups of sweet potato flour(add sea salt, pepper, and chili powder if desired.) Dip each of the squid in the sweet potato flour. Drop in a pan of hot oil. As they come out hot, you can insert a stick if desired, or simply serve on a plate with a dipping sauce.

One of my favorite dipping sauces from Taiwan is so simple to make.  Take lots of garlic, ginger, and chili peppers (cut very small) and lightly fry  in a small amount of fresh peanut oil. Add balsamic vinegar and soy sauce to taste after the garlic, ginger, and chili peppers are done.

Such a simple snack to make and so delicious.

                      Fresh Off The Grill

Smoky Grilled Cuttlefish

The aroma of the fresh cuttlefish grilling floats through the night markets of Taiwan. It is irresistible, drawing you in to the source. Such is the smell of fresh cuttlefish on the open grills. Tantalizing your senses while you search for the source of this smokey aroma.  This snack is mouth-watering, tasty, and delicious.

One of the many places for getting grilled cuttlefish is Cijin Island. Cijin is just across the bay from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. You will find this tiny island extremely colorful and bustling with activity. Everyone does seem to be on a mission. There are many different snacks being sold. Everywhere you look there is food. Tasty snacks are being sold in the markets and on the street. The highlight of Cijin Island is the  fish.  There is every type of fish imaginable.

As you wander the side streets, the aroma of the fresh cuttlefish is unmistakable. It fills the air until you make your way to the correct street coroner. Anything with cuttlefish is amazing. Taiwan gets a lot of fresh fish and cuttlefish is a major catch.  With grill stations everywhere on this island,  cuttlefish can be found in every market. This is especially true of the south. A smoky aroma and cuttlefish with dark grill marks are everywhere.

During winter, the markets have a thick cuttlefish soup. The Taiwanese cook this soup with many herbs. The soup is delicious and has many of the local vegetables. One of the many blessings of this small island is the abundance of vegetables. Everything seems to grow in Taiwan. When it is cold in Taiwan, you will see this soup side by side with the grilled cuttlefish. What a delight on a cold and windy day.

           You Love It Or You Hate It

Taiwan’s Famous Stinky Tofu

The rule in Taiwan for stinky tofu…..the smellier the better! Stinky Tofu is found throughout the streets of China, but in Taiwan, it is everywhere. This is one of the most popular fermented snacks on the island. It assaults your sense of smell, but is so pleasing to the stomach. Stinky tofu is either hated or loved. There is no in-between!

This very odorous snack is a national obsession in Taiwan! Stinky tofu is prepared by soaking freshly made tofu in a brine made of fermented milk, fermented meat or fermented vegetables. It is not uncommon for a family to have a secret recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. Recipes are usually kept very close to the heart. They are rarely divulged. Making the best stinky tofu can be a Taiwanese obsession. Just when you are sure you have found the best, you will taste another that surpasses the last. If you love Stinky Tofu, you will never get enough!

          Snacks At The Lantern Festival

In Taiwan tomatoes are at all the markets on sticks. They are served as a sweet or light dessert.   Tomatoes are often poached in sugar. You will often see them on the top of cakes.  At festivals and street markets these delicious sweet cherry tomatoes are on skewers. You will see slices of plum and tomato that have been dipped in a toffee. Tomatoes and strawberries are often side by side at the market. These candied tomatoes are one of many of the sumptuous snacks in Taiwan.

Surprisingly, as it may seem, there is a large variety of sausages on this little island. You can find them on sticks and with ropes of bread wound around them. You will see them in a bun and on fried bread. There are many types of fried breads and pancakes. Fried bread is one of many island specialties. If you like seafood, there is seafood tempura and shrimp tempura. There are many different types of fish. They are fried and sold on a stick. There is also something called stewed offal that seemed to be extremely popular. Another favorite of the locals is called “coffin bread.” There are always way too many snacks to try them all. These last two always seemed to have really long lines.

Coffin bread is perhaps the most fun. Though the name is a little strange, it is a unique and treat. It’s actually nothing more than a slice of thick toast with a delicious stuffing of mushrooms,vegetables or minced chicken. A square is cut from the middle of this crunchy toast. It is then lifted off as a lid to the coffin. This lid then sits on the top of the sumptuous filling. What a fun and totally unique little eat.

Another little eat is the Bitter Melon. It is a special variety and is almost white in color, rather than the green of most varieties. Neither is it as bitter as the green variety. Be sure and stop by and get a tall mug of honey and bitter melon juice. This is an amazing thirst quencher on a hot day. Mixed with the honey, it is even tastier than the plain bitter melon.

If you are looking for an exotic treat, check out the piles of ripe custard apples. These freshly picked fruits are in almost every market when in season. If you have never eaten a fresh one, then treat yourself. The ones that we get in countries where they are not grown are shipped green. They do not taste anything like a vine ripened custard apple. Custard apples do not travel well, so they can only be shipped when green. These little treats do not come cheap, but are worth every penny.

One of the kings of the little eats are meatballs on a stick. These little meatballs are filled with many seasonings and are a delight to the taste buds.  These slightly chewy Glutinous Taiwanese Meatballs when prepared by a skilled Taiwanese cook, are delicious. Nothing compares to these chewy little eats on a stick. Taste and see for yourself, just how delightful they can be.

Our final Taiwan classic is the Oyster Omelette. This classic dish begins with a batter made from sweet potato starch. This is placed at the bottom of the pan and a beaten egg is cracked over the top. Then over all this are oysters and vegetables of many kinds. A thick pink starchy sauce is poured over the top and it is then baked. This is one of the favorite of all the little eats. The lines are always long for these delicious Taiwanese treats.

                The Country Of “Little Eats”

One of Taiwan’s most interesting treasures is her “little eats.” The Taiwanese rarely eat 3 large meals in a day. Instead they eat several very small meals. These little snacks are referred to as “little eats.” You can go almost anywhere on the island or to any festival and you will see these small flavorful snacks for sale. At any market you will find hundreds of these unique Taiwanese snacks. What a unique heritage! How can you resist such delicious little snacks? They are at the markets, on the street corners, and at the festivals. They are everywhere you go. Rarely can people just pass them by. The smells are tantalizing! This is a land of “little eats.”

 

 

Are you ready to go? Are you hungry for a food adventure around The Island of Taiwan? Anytime is a good time to make your way around this exciting island. So pack your backpack and get ready for the adventure of a life time. An adventure of “little eats” is waiting!

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Raw Sugar Cane Juice In Taiwan

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Healthy Wonder Food In Taiwan

Sugar Cane is a member of the grass family. Lots of greens grow wild throughout the earth. We call them herbs. Many of these herbs are eaten in many parts of the world. Lambs quarter and dandelion greens are common weeds in many areas. In other parts of the world, they are a delicacy. In one place it is a weed to be gotten rid of. And yet, it can be a great addition to your salad. Such is the story of the humble Dandelion Green. This is the history of most herbs. In the wrong place, a herb is called a weed. Is it still good to eat? Yes, it is! The grass is not eaten because it has a very high fiber content. It has stalks that are very stiff. It lacks tender leaves. But if you want to add it to a blender, and then strain off the remaining fiber, it can be eaten and it is healthy. It is a perfect addition to your morning smoothie. So what about Sugar Cane? Is raw sugar cane healthy?

Raw Sugar Cane Juice

Raw Sugar Cane Juice is a healthy wonder food. This amazing wonder food is loaded with health benefits in its raw form. Cane Juice is alkaline to the body. It is a medical fact that most diseases are not able to thrive in a body that is alkaline. This is why Sugar Cane Juice when prepared and used raw, can be healing to our bodies. Raw Sugar Cane Juice is another of the wonder foods of Taiwan.

There are many findings that suggest that it is a key factor in lowering cholesterol. It seems to have affected both the LDL and the triglycerides.  Scientists are just beginning to research this magnificent superfood from Taiwan. As is often the case, Raw Sugar Cane Juice has been used for many years in Taiwan and by the Chinese.

A favorite way to serve the sugar cane is with ginger and lemon juice. I am not sure where the origin of this recipe is. I first learned to make this in Hawaii. You can cut the sugar cane small and many juicers will take it. Some powerful juicer blenders can also handle it. My blender will handle the cane well. I add the cane, ginger, lemon, and water. Then you can blend on low and then med and then high. Then I strain into the glass of ice. I have also used a mallet. I cut the pieces small and remove the outside. and then pound the cane with about 1/2 to 3/4 inch ginger that is peeled and cut small. Then add the juice of a lemon. Then I pound till I have all the juice from the cane and ginger. I add water as needed.  I then strain and pour the juice over ice. I like to garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Hawaii is a very multicultural state, so everything gets mixed up there. Regardless of its beginnings, it is a delicious drink. There are many different ways to make Raw Sugar Cane Juice, this is just one of the many. One thing is for sure, it arrived from Asia, as many of the extraordinary foods of Hawaii do. There is a huge Asian influence on these islands.

Raw Sugar Cane Juice in Taiwan is awesome and delicious. There seem to be several different ways to make it, depending on which part of the country you are in. So while traveling the island, sample several. You will soon find your own favorite recipe.

Other Healthy Juices From Taiwan

Sweet Baby Green Mango Ice

These baby green mangos are so delicious to taste. They are much sweeter than the larger mangoes. These Taiwan jewels almost melt in your mouth. They must be the sweetest mangoes in the world. These trees are dwarf and rarely grow more than 7 feet. This makes them the perfect height to be able to reach these superfruits. These baby mangoes are another wonder of Taiwan.

Mango Ice

Taiwan is famous for its juicy fruit that is served over a bed of ice. These Sweet Baby Green Mangoes are crushed and mixed with shaved ice. This is then made into a large mound in your bowl. Then more fresh mango is added on top of the ice.  This is the perfect fresh drink on a hot island day.

You will find this Mango Ice served all over the island. They are usually quite large and hard to eat in one sitting. They keep well in the freezer and you can go back in a few hours and finish.

Taiwan Mangoes may be one of the kings of all fruits on the island. They are an important super fruit. Mango ice each day may keep the doctor at bay.  These little fruits are believed by many to fight cancer, help keep the body alkaline, and help you feel full. Since they only have a few calories they can aid in weight loss. Many doctors believe they help to regulate blood sugar and ward off diabetes. The Taiwanese believe they help to keep your digestion working correctly. Many Asians believe that they clean your skin. For sure they make the perfect superfood snack. While in Taiwan be sure to eat several. They are another one of the wonder foods of Taiwan.

Papaya Another Wonder Of Taiwan

The papaya is another wonder fruit of Taiwan. Eat half of the papaya to give you all the vitamin C you will need for the next two days. Now that is awesome! It also contains about 20% of the needed fiber for the day. This same half of papaya will also give you about 14% of your daily needs of vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, and copper. You can enjoy the whole half and know that it will have less than 120 calories on average.

You can also add the seeds to your juices and smoothies to help prevent and rid the body of parasites according to Chinese Medicine.

This fruit is just another one of the superfruits grown in Taiwan. It is healthy and delicious. You can make many different juices and juice blends. Here is a favorite tropical juice for a hot day.

Papaya/Pineapple Juice

(Taken from Martha Steward’s Collection)

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 sprigs of fresh mint
  • 1 pineapple, peeled and cut into pieces
  • 1 medium papaya, peeled and seeded (You can keep the seeds to add to other juices)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Press all ingredients through a juice extractor into a measuring cup. Stir to combine before serving.

The Amazing Dragon Fruit

The Dragon fruit is an exotic fruit with a red leathery outside.  This delicious fruit grows on several types of cactus. The most common color of the inside fruit is white with tiny black seeds which you eat. There is also one that has yellow skin with tiny black seeds. The hardest to find is the magenta-colored fruit with tiny black seeds. They are the tastiest of all these delicious fruits. They are also the hardest to find.

Many Asian doctors believe the fruit is able to lower cholesterol, boost your immune system, prevent some types of cancer and even help prevent and cure heart disease, Western medicine has not done any real research on this tropical fruit, as it is rarely seen outside of places like Southern California, Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii. It is so rare that it usually quite expensive even in those places. They can usually be found only in Asian Markets. The average cost in Florida for one small fruit is around 6-7 dollars. Asian Markets usually have them when in season for the area.

As with all fruits, there are many juice combinations that you can do. Dragon fruit is also used in salads, sorbet, and ice cream. When using the yellow fruit, many people add a little lemon or lime to bring out the more subtle flavor. Here is one of the best sorbet recipes I have found.

Dragon Fruit Sorbet

(Taken from: www.sugarlaws.com)

INGREDIENTS
2 dragon fruits
3/4 c. cold water
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp sugar

DIRECTIONS
Cut the dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Reserve the halves for serving, if desired. Freeze the halves until you are ready to fill them.

Place the pulp of the dragon fruit in your food processor along with the water, lemon juice, and sugar. Pulse until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen. Spoon the sorbet into the frozen halves, or freeze the sorbet until ready to serve.

Makes about 2 cups of sorbet.

Taiwan Superfruits

When exploring the Island of Taiwan, one of the greatest adventures will be the food. The constant source of fruit is a health wonder. Each fruit has its own special area of excellence. Taiwan is the king of superfruits. You will see them everywhere. The morning markets are piled high with the latest fruits in season. There are so many that it is hard to choose which one to try. Juice stands are everywhere. You will see them at the morning market, on the streets, and at the evening markets. I have also just seen them in front of a home, where they had been freshly made. This is a fruit lover’s heaven.

While traveling the island take time to try as many fruits and vegetables as you can. All the foods of this Island Nation that I personally have tried have been delicious. I can eat at the market daily. Everything is fresh and they do not add a lot of things that do not belong in the food. If you order fruit juices at the markets, you will get fresh juices.

So make this the year for a superfruit adventure. You can easily eat your way around the Island and back again.

 

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Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge Taitung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival

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It’s Party Time In Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival welcomes The Year Of The Red Fire Monkey. The streets are ablaze with lanterns, both big and small. The city has taken to the streets, as the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival gets into full swing. The Year of The Red Fire Monkey has arrived. It is party time in Taiwan! Come and join us……Let’s  celebrate!

The Red Fire Monkey is the ninth animal on the Lunar Chinese Calendar. The calendar has 12 animals and repeats its cycle every 12 years. Every 12 years we can celebrate the Year Of The Monkey. The New Year has been in full celebration this whole last week. Now we climax an amazing week of celebration with the Lantern Festival.

In Chinese Astrology every year is associated with one of the animal signs and one of five elements. The possible elements are gold, wood, fire, earth, and water. The year 2016 is the first time since 1956 that the Chinese have celebrated the Red Fire Monkey. The Chinese consider this monkey to be  ambitious, and adventurous, but he is also said to get quite irritable. This Element/Animal  sign combination occur every 60 years.

Even though the monkey arrives every 12 years, the accompanying Element sign changes each 12 years for five different monkey cycles. Each monkey is thought to be a little different. Those who believe in this calendar system, believe that the sign you are born under effects, who you are, what you will be like, and how you will grow up. If you are born in the Year of The Red Fire Money, it is believed that you will be an ambitious person who likes adventure. You are also thought to get quite irritable at times.

Twelve years ago, The Year of The Wood Monkey was celebrated. People born under the sign of the Wood Monkey are thought to be always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to others. These people are thought to be compassionate, with a strong self-esteem, but they can be quit stubborn at times. The last two years of the Wood Monkey were 2004 and 1944.

Twenty-four years ago they celebrated the year of the Water Monkey. He was celebrated the last two times in the years 1992 and 1932. This monkey is thought to be smart, very quick-witted, and very fond of being the center of attention. He is thought to be very haughty and naughty.

Thirty-six years ago they celebrated the year of the Gold Monkey. The last two times it was celebrated were in the years of 1980 and 1920. He is thought to be smart, extremely quick-witted, and more than a little confident. He can also be very  irritable and extremely stubborn.

The last monkey is the Earth monkey. He was last celebrated 48 years ago. His last two celebrations were in the years of 1968 and 1908. This monkey sign is thought to be very frank, optimistic, and fearless.

So as you see how the Year of the Red Fire Monkey is celebrated. This gives you a little idea of what they believe and why they celebrate the way they do. The New Year Celebration is the most important celebration of the year. Many people have this complete celebration off from work, so that they can celebrate with their families in the towns were they came from. Often times this is the only time that the complete family comes together all year. This is a time when special foods take the limelight, children have gotten their money envelopes, and the family has partied together all week. Now they go to the closest city and celebrate the climax of these last few days with the Lantern Festival. This is the time to celebrate!

Love Above The World

Love Above The World is another one of the unique lanterns at the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. Hundreds of unique and spectacular lanterns fly high in the sky during this Festival. This one is all about love and is one of the highlighted lanterns of the Kaohsiung Festival. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is alive with color and music. Magic is in the air. This is the happiest time of the year! Dancing is in the streets. Children and adults have taken to the streets to observe this amazing celebration. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is one of the largest in Taiwan. However, there are festivals big and small. There are lantern festivals throughout Taiwan, as this island welcomes The Year of the Red Fire Monkey.

The Year of the Monkey will be exciting! This is a year to shake things up! Try things a new way or make drastic changes. Monkey’s have enthusiast energy. Have you ever just watched a group of monkeys on the edge of the jungle?  When uncertain events are rewarded with treats, they will do anything. Even the most ambitious projects are sure to succeed. Monkeys make sure there is enough action and ideas to keep everyone busy. In a Monkey year, the Chinese like to just make things up as they happen. Just be careful, some monkeys will take all your peanuts, and give you a handful of empty shells.

Monkeys are fantastic and fun to be around. Watch them at any zoo.  They are playful, creative, and bring a bubbly energy that only these playful creatures  can provide. The Chinese believe that children born in Monkey years will be strong leaders. Much like their best friend, the Dragon, no one can tell them what to do. Have you ever seen a monkey get embarrassed?  They feel free to express themselves anywhere they may be.

 The Illuminated Chinese Lantern

Another fun type of lantern are the modern illuminated Chinese lanterns. They are tall and bright. You can see them above the crowd. Every festival has many dragons. Especially in a monkey year, it is good to see their best friend, the dragon. You will see tall dragons and long dragons. Some will be illuminated with many embedded lights and others will be plain. These modern illuminated lanterns are often larger than the others and taller. Notice the huge dragon in the photo. He is created in the traditional way, using Chinese ideas and ways, but with hundreds of tiny LED lights. Notice how bright the orange, the red, and the green are in this modern-day dragon. 

Floating Down The Love River

At the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival , even the Love River is alive with color. These modern illuminated lanterns take on a new twist on the Love River. What a climax to this years celebration. Every street and every store, humble homes and rich homes,  and even the romantic and beautiful Love River are covered with lanterns of every kind.

This is the time of the year when all of Asia welcomes The New Year. Kaohsiung welcomes the Year of the Red Fire Monkey with dances and light shows on the Love River. Color is everywhere.  There are Water Dances and magnificent Light Displays. The displays on the Love River  are out of this world.

What fun is in the streets! Laughter and joy fill the air! Children of all ages rejoice and are happy! New Years is a time of family celebration. Families enjoy being together, and eating the many festival foods. It is the time of the year to welcome with excitement the coming year of the Red Fire Monkey. It is a time filled with hope for wealth, good luck,  prosperity and good health. This is the hope of the New Year. It is a special time for all the people of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It is time to celebrate. All of Asia welcomes the New Year at this time.

At The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival

Jumping for Joy in the streets of Kaohsiung at the Lantern Festival. Happiness is everywhere. Smiles are seen on every face. The young adults are excited and leap for joy. There is dancing in the streets. Flowers of every kind and color are everywhere. You will see lantern flowers and real flowers. There will be every type of dance and exhibit you can think of.

You only have to look at the faces of these young women to see how happy they are to be there. They are excited as they welcome in this New Year. It is a year of expectancy, a year of hope. In the New Year the Taiwanese look forward to all that the next year will bring. They delight in the time they have spent with their families. They have sang songs and danced. They have eaten special Taiwanese delicacies. Now as the Lantern festival comes to a close, their happiness continues throughout the year. Business men and women return to their jobs in the cities. Students return to their schools. Villages quiet down and return to normal. Farmers and fisherman return to work. They are confident that this New Year, The Year of The Red Fire Monkey will bring them happiness and luck. They are confident that wealth and prosperity will be at their gates. This will be a good year filled with good health and a good life.

As Taiwan celebrates, so the Explore Traveler Team wishes each one a happy and prosperous New Year. We wish all our friends throughout Asia wealth, happiness, and good health in the coming year. If you have never celebrated the New Year in Taiwan, there is plenty of time to plan.  This is a good time to add it to next year’s bucket list.

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A Fruit Tree Journey Through Taiwan

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Season Of Sweet Baby Green Mangoes

Taiwan is a Taiwanese fruit lover’s paradise. This is an island of plentiful fresh fruit in season. Taiwan grows extraordinary and delicious fruits. These are some of the best in the world. Taiwan has a rich volcanic soil which is a farmers delight. The island is also so small, that all produce travel

There is always ms for short distances. The Taiwanese are privileged to enjoy some of the best bananas, and melons of all kinds. Here you can enjoy guavas and mangoes that are fresh in their season.more than enough fresh fruit in the Morning Market for all those who desire. Picked fresh off the tree, it left for the market just a few hours earlier. Everything is ready to eat and fresh. The most amazing thing you will see is bin after bin of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even the large supermarkets have fresh produce that the farmers brought early in the morning. This island is indeed a fruit lover’s paradise.

One of the many amazing fruits growing in this fruit lover’s paradise is the Baby Green Mangoes. These are so sweet to taste, they almost melt in your mouth. They are perhaps one of the sweetest mangoes in the world. Taiwan is famous for their juicy fruit that is served over a bed of ice. This island delicacy is a giant mound of frozen mango and ice covered with fresh mango. This is the perfect fresh drink on a hot tropical day. If you are guests at an island ceremony, it is not unusual to see a huge oversized mound of shaved ice with the fresh mango over the top. The Taiwanese love their frozen mango specialty. It is an island delight!

Fresh Persimmons

Fresh persimmons abound throughout the island. There are ample of this fresh fruit for all. There is nothing like a bowl of fresh persimmons for breakfast. Persimmon juice is fantastic. However, it is not the fresh persimmons that Taiwan is best known for, but the dried. The area of Hsinpu, with its many hills and very dry weather, together with a strong wind that arrives each fall, makes this area the dried persimmon capital of Taiwan. They have many persimmon trees and a super suitable condition for making dried persimmons naturally. The wind and the sun make this a perfect art of love.

What Is This Warty Strange Fruit?

Bitter Melon is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It is grown for it’s very bitter but edible and valuable fruit. This strange fruit has a very warty exterior and is oblong in shape, much like a cucumber. It is about the same size of a very large cucumber. It is perhaps the world’s most bitter tasting fruit. Regardless of its taste, it is often combined with other foods and is widely desired on the island and mainland China. Only in recent years, are other countries starting to discover the many benefits of this strange fruit.

Bitter Melon is an excellent weight-loss fruit. It is a major ingredient in many commercial weight loss products. With so many desiring to lose the added pounds, why not learn the art of cooking with this island powerhouse?

In Chinese Medicine, Bitter Melon has been used for centuries in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It is favored throughout China for it’s a natural way to lower blood sugar levels. While not much research has been done in Western Countries, it is a safe fruit to use in your cooking.

A favorite way to use this amazing fruit is in stews, soups, and stir-fry dishes of many kinds. It also pairs nicely with curry, peanuts, and coconut. This is a basic curry recipe using coconut and bitter melon. I also like to add some raw peanuts:

Bitter Melon and Coconut Curry

INGREDIENTS:

  • Bitter gourd – 1 medium gourd
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Dry red chillies – 2 (you can use more or less)
  • Curry leaves -1 sprig(Find in Asian or Indian Markets)
  • Onion – 1 medium sliced
  • Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Coriander powder – 1 tsp
  • Chili powder – 3/4 tsp (Use hot or mild, according to taste)
  • Green Chilies–2 (Use hot or mild)
  • Tomato– 1 chopped
  • Coconut — 1 Cup
  • Plain Yogurt–1 Tablespoon
  • Coconut Oil–2 Tablespoons
  • Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the bitter gourd lengthwise, remove the seeds, wash and slice them.  Apply salt and yogurt and keep aside for 15 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan and fry the bitter gourd pieces till golden brown.  In the same oil, simmer mustard seeds and cumin seeds.  Add dry red chillies and curry leaves.  Then add onions and saute till they turn pink.  Now add the spice powders and saute for a minute.  Add tomatoes and green chillies.  Saute till oil separates.  Now add coconut milk and fried bitter gourd pieces.   Mix well and heat through.  Add more salt if needed.  Switch off the flame before it boils. Serve over rice and sprinkle raw peanuts on top if desired.

(Basic recipe taken from saltandspice.org with my modifications and notes.)

Another way that is just catching on is adding it to your morning smoothies. Many things have even more nutrition when used in their raw state. Here is an excellent way to use it in your morning smoothie:

Bitter Melon Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½ – 1 small bitter melon
  • ¼ pineapple
  • 1 pear
  • 2 celery sticks
  • 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Wash all produce well.
  2. Remove the skin from the pineapple.
  3. Cut the bitter melon in half longways, scoop out the seeds and white flesh with a spoon and juice the outer green of the bitter melon.
  4. All all produce through juicer and enjoy!

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Bitter melon – cucumber, grapefruit, winter melon
  • Pineapple – apple, green melon
  • Pear – apple, orange
  • Celery – cucumber, zucchini, chard (silverbeet)
  • Lemon – grapefruit, lime

Servings: 1

 (This recipe is found on the website: REBOOTWITHJOE.COM)

Taiwan’s Preserved Olives

Another unique delicacy is Taiwan’s preserved olives. These olives are candied. They are a very sweet and spicy dried fruit. Very fragrant and delicious! There is also a red spicy olive that tastes nothing like an olive. This candied olive has a crispy crunchy texture to it. It is slightly sweet with a mild spice flavor. The plain olive cannot be found here with these salty and sweet Taiwanese Delicacies.

There are many different Olive Trees grown in Taiwan. Some are best used fresh and others canned. Still, others can be dried for use in standard recipes latter. What is notable about the olives that are used for candied olives, is that any variety can be used.

The best way to do candied olives at home is to place 1 cup any kind of olive in 2 cups water. Bring the olives to a boil and cook 2 minutes and then strain. Repeat 6 times with fresh water each time. For the 7th time use 1 quart of water and 2 cups of sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Let the olives remain in the syrup overnight. In the morning, drain and roll each olive in sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in a sunny spot on the table to dry. (If you have a gas oven, you can dry in the oven. The pilot light is the perfect temperature.) They are finished when dry and crispy.

This is the perfect treat for a cold winter’s night in front of the fireplace. If you think outside the box, there are many Asian treats that you can make in your home. And of course, on your next trip to Taiwan, be sure to taste their candied fruit. The olives are the best!

Taiwan’s Superfruits

The Longan and Dragon Fruit has been used for thousands of years for good health throughout Asia. Today, the world over, we call them Super-fruits! What has been used throughout Asia for centuries is just now coming to the attention of Westerners. There is a whole world of fruits out there that most people have never heard of. Here are a couple of favorites.

Longan is a fruit that is slightly smaller than a Lychee. It has a brown skin which is smoother than the skin of the Lychee. The Logan and Lychee taste quite similar to one another. The Longan tastes wonderful and has been used for a tonic fruit for centuries in Asia. This delightful fruit when peeled is white. It has been considered an anti-aging fruit in Chinese Medicine for centuries. They also used it for various sexual disorders. Longan fruit has been used successfully by the Chinese for thousands of years medically. This small fruit contains a wealth of powerful antioxidants. It is also very low in calories. Many Taiwanese consider this the perfect fruit. When traveling in the countryside, you will often see several of these trees around their small country homes. The Longan Fruit is one of today’s superfruits!

Another one of the incredible superfruits of Taiwan is the Dragon Fruit. It is red on the outside with little horns all around. The most common color of the inside fruit is white with tiny black edible seeds. These are extremely good, but wait till you taste the yellow fruit with black seeds. Just when you think that this tasty fruit can get no better, you will taste a magenta one with the same black seeds. This is the king of the three different varieties. It is also the hardest to find.

These spectacular cactuses have a most amazing flower that mysteriously only blooms at night. If you can catch a glimpse with your flashlight, you will find them to be very beautiful. The bloom opens in the night and dies at the break of day.

A perfect breakfast plate in Taiwan may have a Dragon Fruit, a large Pomegranate, a green Orange, and a huge Persimmon. Taiwan is indeed the Kingdom of Fruit. As a tropical country, all the tropical fruits grow beautifully there. The center of the island has mountains that are near 4,000 feet, making it perfect for fruits that also grow in more temperate zones. There is nowhere else that has so many different types of fruit trees thriving naturally. Taiwan is a land of Superfruits. The Dragon Fruit is just another of the many fruits that grow and thrive on this small island.

The Papaya Tree

Our fruit tree journey cannot end without highlighting the Papaya Tree. Though there are so many more fruits that grow and thrive on the Island of  Taiwan, the Papaya is a superstar. The Papaya Tree is perhaps one of the world’s favorite fruit trees.

The Taiwanese Papaya is actually a dwarf variety that grows to only around 7 feet or a little more. This is in comparison to the non-dwarf varieties that tour over the others, at around 15 feet.  This papaya is red with the black edible seeds. The scent of this papaya is heavenly. This papaya is well liked by farmers, as it is easier to pick the fruit. There is less chance of crop damage when the fruit is lower to the ground. The Red Lady Papaya is a fast grower and a mega producer. When planted from seed, it will usually produce the second year.

These sweet and delicious fruits of the Red Lady Papaya Tree are smaller than the fruits from the larger trees. They also have a stronger fragrance and are sweeter to taste. They are giving Taiwan a higher yield, as they fruit more often. They are another one of the superfruits of Taiwan.

Our fruit tree journey through Taiwan has been amazing. There are very few places in the world where you can indulge yourself with so many different superfruits at the same time. Taiwan is indeed a fruit lover’s paradise.

So what is on your breakfast plate? I think small papaya, some fresh dates, a few figs, and a green orange sounds great. There is nothing like starting the day with a plate of garden fresh fruit. Some freshly baked bread with freshly made butter and tea will complete this perfect island treat.

Are you ready for a Taiwan fruit adventure? Anytime, is a good time, to begin your superfruit journey.

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Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge Taitung, Taiwan

Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐

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Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐

The Explore Traveler Team would like to wish all our friends in Taiwan, throughout Asia, and the world over a Happy Chinese New Year! 中国新年快乐 Asians all over the world welcome, The Year of the Red Fire Monkey.

Grab the bananas and let’s celebrate. The Year of the Fire Red Monkey has arrived. This is the longest festival of the Asian world. Sometimes called the Spring Festival, it begins this year on February 8th, 2016 and lasts for 15 days. This marks the beginning of the Spring Planting time. Depending on where you live, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw and seeds are ready to be put in the ground.

As we welcome in the Year of the Red Fire Monkey, we look forward to a prosperous and good year. The year 4714 has arrived. Come and let’s celebrate. Friends and family will visit. Special holiday foods are prepared. The long dreary winter season has ended. Spring has arrived. This is a time of new beginnings.

The New Year’s festivities begin on New Year’s Eve. Homes have been cleaned, businesses are spotless. This is a special time when everyone leaves their urban homes and returns to their family homes in the country.  This amazing festival that will  continue for fifteen days. This is a time to reunite with friends and family. Together they will welcome in the Year of the Fire Red Monkey. More Asians  travel home on New Years than any other time in the year.  Millions of people the world over will make their way home. This is a time when friends and families come together. It is a time that families unite and together they welcome in the New Year.

Taiwanese Are Off To A Sweet Start

No celebration is complete without the sweet tantalizing candies. The children are ecstatic as they have been waiting and watching. Anticipation is in the air! This is a time they have been waiting for. The Year of the Fire Red Monkey has finally arrived. Taiwan is alive with activity! Come and let us celebrate!

Red is the color of choice, both for decorations and clothes. Red is believed to keep away the many evil spirits. Everywhere you go, you will see red paper lanterns and people will be dressed in their best red finery. The children and the young adults will receive red envelopes filled with money. There is not a child that does not wait with delight as they are given out. New Years has arrived. It is time to celebrate!  

Like all the festivals of Asia, food is at the center of the celebration. There are many traditional foods that symbolize different things.  You will see long uncut noodles on every table. These noodles represent a long life. Whole chickens in the center symbolize family togetherness. Wealth and prosperity are symbolized by dumplings that look like an ancient Chinese dollar. Even the traditional spring-roll resemble gold. Everything that is done has a meaning!

So as the Asian world is celebrating this week, the Explore Traveler Team wishes you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! We join you in welcoming, The Year Of The Red Fire Monkey!

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Mushroom Hunters Of Taiwan

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Mushroom Hunters Of Taiwan

In spring and fall, the mountain forests of Taiwan are filled with mushroom hunters. These mushroom hunters are also known as “pickers.” Some, of course, are merely hobbyists or Taiwanese that are purely looking for dinner. The real Mushroom hunters are a different breed. They make their living by tracking down this spendy fungus. For them, it is a way of life. They pitch their tents in small camps and daily go out into the jungles. The commercial pickers follow traces in nature to locate particular types of mushrooms. There is one mushroom that is found a few feet from the Japanese Pine tree. Each mushroom has its own pattern. It is almost like following a forest map. In the case of mushrooms, they follow the trees and shrubs that give clues on their location.

Taiwanese mushroom hunters, like those the world over, can often be spotted on remote trails and dirt roads in the mountains. They camp out for days at a time. You will recognize them by their packs and baskets strapped to their backs. When they find a good patch, they stay till their baskets are full. The mushroom hunter lives in harmony with nature,. They use nature to track the particular species of mushroom being hunted. It is like a driver following a map. Their map is nature and the signs that they see.

The Taiwanese are extremely health conscious. Many of the Buddhists are vegetarians, eating only vegetables. Because of this trend in healthy eating, mushrooms are popular and are in big demand. Mushrooms are generally alkaline. In the Taiwanese mushrooms, you can find as many as 100 different antibiotics. They have many different amino acids, fiber, and minerals. They supply the much-needed potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorous to the daily diet. In the mushroom, you will find the essentials for robust health. Many believe that they are important for the successful prevention of many different tumors and other growths. The natural ingredients of the garden, fresh fish, and the different fungi that grow in the mountains of Taiwan, team together for the perfect diet.  Healthy eating is being pushed by Taiwan’s health gurus. There is great demand for the mushroom hunter.

As long as there are people desiring to eat a healthy diet, restaurants, markets, and herb shops, the mushroom hunters will be in high demand. So next time you sit down to a good Taiwanese meal, remember those who make their livelihood bringing them to a market near you. Taiwan is a great place to study healthy eating. Make this the year you study the secrets of the mushrooms that grow on the island and how to prepare them. Learn about the black fungus mushroom, that is so in demand the world over. It is one found only in certain places in the world. It is a rare Taiwanese mushroom. Take forging trips into the jungle mountains. A Taiwanese adventure in mushroom forging and preparation awaits. Who knows, you may even meet the mushroom hunters who bring them to market.

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Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬‬‬ Villages in ‪‎Taiwan

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Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬‬ Villages in ‪Taiwan

‬ ‪‎‬Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ Villages are a breath of fresh air in Northern Taiwan. This Hakka Village is nestled on the side of a lush mountain. This delightful village is in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. As you cross the bridge, the tantalizing smells of Hakka cooking fill the air. Out of this humble village comes some of the most creative street foods in Northern Taiwan. Welcome to our Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ Village! This tiny minority has found its nitch in the Night Markets of Hsinchu County. Hakka cuisine can be found throughout the island. Hakka cooking is on the rise. The textures and colors are inviting. The meat and fish are fresh. The use of herbs and flowers are amazing. It is time to cross the bridge. It is time to embark on a Hakka Adventure.

The Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ are well-known for their creative cooking. Duck stuffed with glutinous rice is perhaps one of the best examples of the creativeness of the Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬. The duck is carefully cooked and then the bones are removed. All this, while taking care not to alter the basic shape of the duck. Then the cavity of the duck is filled with glutinous rice, seasoned with many herbs. What you have is not only good Hakka cooking but fresh creativity in the market.

A very popular snack for Taiwanese New Year is Fried pork with Fermented Tofu. This involves a two-part process and it a perfect example of some of the uniqueness of Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ Cuisine. The pork is first marinated and then deep-fried. This process removes all the extra moisture from the meat. It is a type of preservation method. The pork is then stewed in water and Wood’s Ear Fungus. Fermented Tofu is then added. This is the Hakka version of fast food at the market. Some refer to it as the Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ “canned soup.”

Our third example of Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ cooking is Ngiong Tew Foo. This dish showcases the complexities of Aboriginal Hakka cooking. It is one of the most popular dishes throughout Taiwan. The origins of Ngiong Tew Foo runs deep within the Hakka community. Tofu cubes are taken and heaps of minced pork, salted fish and herbs are added. This is then fried until the Tofu cubes are a golden brown in color.  This is a fabulous example of the Hakka Cuisine of another time, brought into the present. It is delicious! It is a treat from the Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ to Taiwan.

Whether you call Taiwan home, are an International traveler, or just someone seeking adventure, you will want to explore the cuisine of the Hakka.  Here on the other side of the bridge, you will discover delicious food, unique flavors, and Hakka creativity.  The Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ community is waiting to share with you all the secrets of hundreds of years of cooking. They will tantalize your senses, tickle your taste buds, and expand your mind.   Today is the perfect day to embark on an Aboriginal ‪Hakka‬ Cooking Adventure. We can meet at the bridge!

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Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey‬ Adventure

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Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey Adventure

Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey Adventure has arrived! The place is Taiwan! The time is now! Come along with our team and explore the world of the Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey! This little fellow, with such a big name, is Taiwan’s only native monkey. What a unique honor! Besides humans, the Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey is the only native primate living on this beautiful island. This little money, with a long tail, and a brownish grey color, has the most amazing cheeks. Look at those little pouches! What are these strange cheeks for? Why they are food storage, of course! Work hard today, store your food wisely, and you will not go hungry tomorrow. What a wise little monkey!

This little monkey with his built-in food storage is extremely smart and resourceful. The Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey has a custom-made pouch allowing him to grab his food and run! These specialized storage cheeks allow him to venture into strange places. He can then grab his food and “boggy on out of Dodge”! Watch as he takes his morsels back to the safety of the jungle canopy or a tall cliff. There he can get his bearings, gather his food, and safely enjoy. What a smart little money!

The Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey lives in the beautiful Hardwood  Temperate Forest of Taiwan! He also likes the Bamboo Forests and the grasslands of the island. Nature has provided him with a million dollar home. These are some of the most fantastic hardwoods in the world. Imagine calling them home! As an added bonus, this pesky little money pays no rent for his 5 star accommodations! From the safety of the canopy of these tall trees, he can safely eat his bounty, and relax from a hard days work. Now that must be a home with a view!

The Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey spends most of his time in these trees that he calls home. Only when out foraging in the grasslands do you see him on the ground. His diet consists of fruits, tender leaves and he loves his bamboo. He also enjoys flower buds, insects, and snails.  For desert, he loves bird eggs. It is in situations like this, that he puts his stolen eggs in his pouch and takes off for the forest. An angry mama bird is not a pleasant companion. The bigger the bird, the faster he must travel. No time to enjoy his bounty yet! He is a wanted monkey, on the run!

The Formosan Rock ‪‎Monkey enjoys the cliffs at the edge of the island. This little fellow in the photo was enjoying the ocean view from the safety of the tall cliffs. When our team photographer sought to get his photo, he tried his best to commandeer him a professional camera. With wisdom and skill, she gave him a banana for his efforts. After all, a workman is worth his hire! He displayed a lot of cunning skill, as he sought his bounty. Who could not give him something for his efforts?

If you are looking for some island adventure, check out the tropical forests of Taiwan. It is there you will find this cute little monkey. With his amazing personality, who knows what you may see. Your monkey adventure is new every day. So grab your passport and head on over to Taiwan. There you will find 5 star adventure!

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