Taiwan's Summer Solstice Food Battle: Grass Jelly Takes the Crown

While everyone knows to eat zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, mooncakes during Mid-Autumn, and warm sweet glutinous rice balls at Winter Solstice, have you ever wondered what to eat on Summer Solstice? To explore Taiwan’s Summer Solstice cuisine, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications held the “Taste the Northbound Line—Summer Solstice Food Selection” event. Through online popularity voting and evaluations by food and travel experts such as Lin Qiu-xiang, Hu Tian-lan, Liang You-xiang, James, and Saegami Tsuyoshi, the top ten Summer Solstice foods in Taiwan were selected: mango shaved ice, grass jelly, grass jelly dessert, cactus ice, watermelon, Ruisui fresh milk, ginger tomato, cold noodles, plum juice, and star fruit juice. Among them, grass jelly claimed the title of champion Summer Solstice food due to its status as a unique Taiwanese plant, its cooling and health-preserving properties, and its crystal-clear, translucent texture.

Tourism Bureau Director-General Xie Wei-jun stated that the Tropic of Cancer crosses central and southern Taiwan, not only dividing subtropical and tropical climate zones but also creating Taiwan’s rich and diverse natural ecological beauty, making it a beautiful island in the eyes of foreigners. Therefore, the Tourism Bureau has specially launched a new summer activity brand under the Taiwan Tourism Year calendar—"Taiwan Summer Solstice 235"—based on the marketing theme of “romance,” one of the six major tourism promotion themes of Taiwan. Inspired by the Tropic of Cancer and the Summer Solstice, and integrating Taiwan’s unique geography, culture, climate, ecology, street food, and recreational activities, the brand represents a fresh take on Taiwan’s summer. The numbers 235 not only signify the 23.5-degree angle of the Tropic of Cancer, but also sound like “love me,” hoping to inspire everyone to fall in love with Taiwan in the summer and experience its warmth and vitality.

 

The “Taiwan Summer Solstice 235” series of events will kick off simultaneously across Taiwan from east to west on the Summer Solstice, June 21. The celebration will begin with welcoming the world’s first Summer Solstice sunrise on the East Coast, followed by an indigenous cultural fair in the Huatung Valley, Chiayi City’s tour of forestry and railway heritage sites in the cool breeze, Alishan and Siraya hosting eco-friendly cycling and golf experiences themed around healthy living, Chiayi County inviting the public to observe the annual astronomical spectacle at noon, and the Yunlin-Kaohsiung-Tainan and Penghu regions concluding the day with sunset and stargazing concerts.

The highlight of the Summer Solstice—“The Tropic of Cancer: A Thread of Happiness”—will take place at 3 PM at Dongshi Fishing Harbor in Chiayi. Attendees are invited to form a symbolic “Tropic of Happiness” line at the Tropic of Cancer landmark while enjoying the romantic atmosphere of the Summer Solstice sunset. In addition to sampling a thousand portions of the champion Summer Solstice foods for registered participants, the event will also follow the ancient tradition of exchanging scented sachets on Summer Solstice by giving out limited-edition Summer Solstice sachet bags designed by renowned designer Chen Yong-ji. Performances will also feature Hawaii’s ukulele band and the popular children’s show MOMO Taiwan, encouraging everyone to gather friends and family to experience the new romantic festival of “Taiwan Summer Solstice 235.”

Starting June 21 this year, locations across Taiwan—from Hualien to Penghu—will launch 24 featured tour routes and over 30 activities under eight major themes: Midsummer Dawn, Midsummer Indigenous Culture, Midsummer Uphill Adventures, Midsummer Healthy Living, Midsummer Cool Breezes, Midsummer Astronomy, Midsummer Sunset, and Midsummer Starry Skies. The Tourism Bureau will also introduce the “Taiwan Summer Solstice Stamp Hunt” campaign, encouraging visitors to take photos at iconic Tropic of Cancer landmarks using their phones or cameras. In addition to local merchant discounts, participants can win prizes such as high-quality accommodation vouchers, bicycles, and summer skincare kits. Those who complete stamp collections across all eight theme zones also have a chance to win grand prizes. For more details, visit: www.taiwan235n.tw.

 

 

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