Sweet persimmons are in full harvest across Taiwan — the perfect time to pick and enjoy them.

By Liu Jiawen | Compiled & Reported

When the northeast monsoon blows, it’s a sign that it’s time to feast on ripe persimmons. Many regions in Taiwan are abundant in persimmon production, such as Fanlu Township in Chiayi County, known as the hometown of persimmons. The persimmons grown on Mt. Motianling in Taichung City boast a sweetness level as high as 14 to 18 degrees. Many tourist orchards and farmers' associations in these producing areas have launched fruit-picking activities, as well as half-day and one-day tour packages, allowing visitors to have fun while savoring the delicious taste of persimmons.

This year is a bumper year for persimmons, with large, sweet, and crisp fruits. Fanlu Township in Chiayi County not only ranks first in production across Taiwan, but its total output also accounts for over 80% of the national supply. It has also developed a range of diversified products including persimmon popsicles, persimmon ice cream, and persimmon leaf health cakes. Mt. Motianling in Taichung City, at the source of the Da’an River, offers a geographical environment with clear and sweet water as well as large day-night temperature differences, cultivating sweet persimmons with excellent taste.

For those looking to go on a fruit-picking trip, several tourist orchards within the Ruanpikeng Leisure Agriculture Area in Dongshi, Taichung, are hosting persimmon-picking events. Hsinpu Township and Beibu Township in Hsinchu County, famous across Taiwan for their persimmon cake processing, offer half-day, one-day, and two-day tour packages. The Manapang Leisure Agriculture Area in Dahhu Township also produces sweet persimmons, with the harvest lasting until the end of December. Coupled with the stunning red maple leaves on Mt. Manapang, it’s a great spot for both fruit picking and autumn foliage viewing.