A Touch of Red in Winter: Taitung Creates a Millet Landscape and Launches the “Can’t-Live-Without-You” Tour Package

▲Taitung held a press conference to launch the “2017 Taitung Red Quinoa Season” and introduced a special tour package. (Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government, same below)

Reported by Wang Zhaolin / Taitung

To promote a cross-sector demonstration project integrating rural revitalization with industrial development in Taitung, and to boost the growth of the region’s specialty crop—“red quinoa”—on the Southeast Coast, the Taitung Branch of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau held a press conference today (the 20th) to inaugurate the “2017 Taitung Red Quinoa Season.” In addition to showcasing the achievements of Taitung red quinoa in six-tier industrial development, the event also announced that February to March is the maturation and color-changing period for red quinoa. Magistrate Huang Jian-ting, who was invited to attend, stated that he hopes to jointly promote the red quinoa industry with the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau and other relevant units. He also invited visitors coming to Taitung during the Lunar New Year holiday to explore tribal areas, admire the red quinoa, and taste its flavors.

Taitung red quinoa has become one of the “hottest” cash crops in the Southeast Coast townships in recent years. Besides being a traditional staple food of indigenous peoples, its strikingly crimson spikes at maturity add a splash of vibrant red to the winter mountain villages, attracting many tourists to stop and admire it, and making it a seasonal winter landscape unique to Taitung. The Taitung Branch of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau has specially collaborated with the National Museum of Prehistory to plant approximately 3,000 square meters of red quinoa flower fields in the museum’s outdoor garden, creating “the only red quinoa cultural landscape in downtown Taitung.” They have also launched the “Can’t-Live-Without-You” cultural exhibition and a red quinoa-themed tour package, emphasizing “cultural agriculture,” “edible landscapes,” and “experiential interaction,” aiming to offer visitors a unique Taitung travel experience.

Magistrate Huang Jian-ting, who was invited to attend the press conference, stated that in recent years the county government has been actively promoting crops such as red quinoa, millet, and roselle in the Southeast Coast region, and red quinoa is one of the “hottest” cash crops in the Southeast Coast townships. Besides being a traditional staple food of indigenous peoples, its eye-catching crimson spikes at maturity attract many tourists to stop and admire it, making it a seasonal winter landscape unique to Taitung. The well-known domestic travel platform EasyTravel has also included Taitung red quinoa experience tours in its Round-the-Island Star itinerary, helping to drive three-tier industrial development.

Taitung red quinoa (known in the Paiwan language as djulis) is an annual herbaceous plant with robust growth and excellent drought resistance. Its growth cycle lasts just four months, and mature plants can reach heights of over 1.2 meters, even up to 2 meters, with abundant yields. It serves not only as an important staple food reserve for tribal communities but also as a key yeast for brewing. Nowadays, thanks to its rich nutritional profile, it has become a new favorite in the health and wellness market. Those wishing to try this novel grain or admire the beautiful red quinoa flower fields can visit the National Museum of Prehistory and the Southeast Coast farming areas during the spring season through March.

The best times to view red quinoa at various “Taitung Red Quinoa Season” attractions are as follows: National Museum of Prehistory and Dazhu Village, Dawu Township—starting January 27; Xianglan Village, TaiMaLi Township, Tuban Village, Daren Township, and Liwu Village, Jinfeng Township—starting February 20; Anshuo Village, Daren Township, and Jialan Village, Jinfeng Township—starting March 6. Taitung Red Quinoa Related Information: 🔴 Latest Red Quinoa News [Taitung Red Quinoa Official Website] https://goo.gl/cFGhgm 🔴 Can’t-Live-Without-You [Red Quinoa Tour Package Tickets] http://eticket.nmp.gov.tw 🔴 Taitung Red Quinoa—Delicious and Easy to Buy [Taiwan Good Ingredients] http://www.fooding.com.tw