It’s time for the annual roselle harvest! In Taiwan, roselles are grown mainly in the east, with Taimali and Jinfeng Townships as the major areas of production. Roselles are a very important specialty crop for Taitung. Sowing usually takes place in spring, flowering in autumn, and harvesting in late autumn and winter. Even though the Chinese term for “roselle” includes the word “flower”, the flower is by no means the usable part of the plant. In fact, the edible part is the plump calyx that remains after the flower has wilted and fallen. Each year during harvest time, the calyces look like bunches of rubies gleaming in the sun, attracting passing tourists to stop and enjoy their beauty. But these gems are not just beautiful in appearance; the calyx is full of nutritional value and is a great anti-oxidant, making it quite a healthy product. Once the calyces are harvested, they can be made into preserves and jam, or they can be steeped into a pleasant tea. Moreover, they can be used in the cooking of various dishes. Thus, they possess the potential of becoming the most valuable specialty agricultural product on the market this season!

We are currently in the midst of the harvest season of these nutrition-packed roselles. This year’s crop output and quality are great, so now is the time to enjoy them! If you’re interested in doing something to promote your health and qi, come to the Taitung County Farmers’ Association, Taitung City Farmers’ Markets, the Taimali Farmers’ Market, or other such channels to directly make inquiries and place orders.