Taiwan’s Summer Solstice Food Battle: Love Yù Takes the Crown

While everyone knows to eat zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and warm glutinous rice balls during the Winter Solstice, have you ever wondered what to eat on the 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 Sawai Tsuyoshi, ten top Taiwanese Summer Solstice foods were selected, including mango shaved ice, love yù, grass jelly, cactus ice, watermelon, Ruisui fresh milk, ginger tomato, cold noodles, plum juice, and star fruit juice. Among them, love yù—made from a unique Taiwanese plant, known for its cooling and health-preserving properties, and its crystal-clear translucent texture—took the top honor as the champion of Summer Solstice foods.

Tourism Bureau Director-General Xie Wei-jun stated that the Tropic of Cancer crosses central and southern Taiwan, not only dividing the 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 one of Taiwan Tourism’s six major marketing themes: “Romance.” Drawing inspiration from the Tropic of Cancer and the Summer Solstice, and integrating Taiwan’s unique geography, culture, climate, ecology, street food, and recreational activities, this brand represents a fresh summer celebration in Taiwan. The number 235 not only stands for the 23.5-degree angle of the Tropic of Cancer but also sounds like “love me,” hoping to inspire everyone to fall in love with Taiwan in the summer and experience its passion and vitality.

 

The Taiwan Summer Solstice 235 series of events will kick off across Taiwan from east to west on June 21, the day of the Summer Solstice. The festivities begin with welcoming the world’s first ray of sunlight of the Summer Solstice on the East Coast, followed by a traditional cultural fair in the East Rift Valley, Chiayi City’s cool breeze tour of forestry and railway heritage sites, Alishan and Siraya hosting livable bike and golf experiences themed around well-being, Chiayi County inviting the public to observe a midday solar phenomenon and an annual astronomical spectacle, 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 3:00 PM at the Dongshi Fishermen’s Wharf in Chiayi. Participants are invited to join hands along the Tropic of Cancer landmark to create a symbolic thread of happiness, while enjoying the romantic atmosphere of the Summer Solstice sunset. In addition to offering thousands of servings of the top Summer Solstice foods for attendees to taste, the event follows the ancient custom of exchanging scented sachets during the Summer Solstice by giving out limited-edition Summer Solstice sachet bags designed by renowned designer Chen Yong-ji. Live performances by Hawaii’s ukulele group and the popular momo Taiwan show, beloved by audiences of all ages, will also be featured, 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 offer 24 special tours and over 30 series of events under eight major themes: Midsummer Dawn, Midsummer Heritage, Midsummer Ascent, Midsummer Wellness, Midsummer Breeze, Midsummer Astronomy, Midsummer Sunset, and Midsummer Starry Sky. The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will also launch the Taiwan Summer Solstice Stamp Hunt, inviting the public to visit iconic Tropic of Cancer landmarks with their phones or cameras. In addition to discounts at local shops, participants can win prizes such as lodging vouchers from quality accommodations, bicycles, and summer skincare kits. Those who complete stamp collections across all eight theme zones along the Tropic of Cancer may even have a chance to win grand prizes. For more details, visit: www.taiwan235n.tw.

 

 

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