Taiwan Trip

[botanical pilot]

I'm headed to Taiwan in late December to tour the entire island on cycle route 1. This probably isn't the ideal time for fruit but regardless I was hoping to get an advice from locals or others who have visited. Especially interested in worthwhile markets or farms that I can try to include on my journey.

[Epiphyte]

that's awesome that you're going to taiwan!  i've never been before but i'm very interested in the native ficus.  for example, here's a climbing ficus with big orange fruit.  evidently it's used to make a refreshing jelly.  i'm guessing it's ficus aurantiaca, which is closely related to ficus pumila, which has been crossed with ficus carica.  so maybe carica and aurantiaca can be crossed?

i searched through the checklist of ficus in china and found 17 species that are native to taiwan and might be compatible with carica...

Ficus ampelos
Ficus aurantiaca
Ficus cumingii
Ficus erecta
Ficus esquiroliana
Ficus formosana
Ficus heteropleura
Ficus irisana
Ficus pedunculosa
Ficus pumila
Ficus ruficaulis
Ficus sarmentosa
Ficus tannoensis
Ficus tinctoria
Ficus trichocarpa
Ficus vaccinioides
Ficus virgata

over a month ago i grafted erecta, formosana, tannoensis, and vaccinioides onto carica and they are starting to grow.  if they manage to fruit i will try crossing them with carica.  in japan erecta has already been crossed with carica in order to create a rootstock that is resistant to ceratocystis canker.

last november i went to costa rica for the 1st time.  a bird pooped on my shirt.  when i got back, inspired by the movie castaway on the moon, i scraped the poop into a pot.  interestingly a ficus seedling popped up.  guessing it's ficus insipida.  sadly i doubt it's compatible with carica.

i'd love to know why it seems like most of carica's closest relatives are to the east of it.  carica is from the east?  or the birds that ate its fruit mainly flew to the east?

in any case, i'm pretty sure that my appreciation of ficus made my trip to costa rica that much more enjoyable.  well, i also appreciate tropical fruit and epiphytes, so i ended up hiking slower than a sloth... man man zou.

[palingkecil]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293910-Activities-c26-t207-Taiwan.html

I have lived in Taichung for about 7-8 years, and Taoyuan for 2 years. I am ashamed that I have never visited any farmer market when I was there. Usually i just go to any traditional market nearby or night market, and just buy whatever fruit in season. Over there the street vendor offer different variant of food and beverage every hundred feet, so I was too busy eating them instead of fruit..

[palingkecil]

I forgot to mention, pay attention if you see a pick up truck on side of the street. Farmers are often sell their fruit directly to consumers this way.
The pineapple should be in season, and they will cut it for you on the spot.
Guava is all year round.
If you happen to visit Feng Chia Night Market, look for a lady street vendor who sells Milk Guava. The best guava ever. She used to open her table on the right side of Feng Chia University main gate.

[Oolie]

I really like the fermented stuff like black plums and black vinegar ginger, but I'm sure most would call that stuff an acquired taste. I think the cured stuff may be able to be brought back.

[botanical pilot]

Wow thanks for all the great replies!

Epiphyte, I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for some Ficus, especially that orange one. Maybe you're onto something with bird dung seed smuggling 

Palingkecil, for sure going to check out that market in Taipei. My first hotel is actually really close to it and Feng Chia Night Market . Should be convenient! I'll keep my eye out for fruit vendors on the road as well.

Oolie I've never had any fermented plums but you've peaked my interest!

[ChrisWalter]

Your upcoming Taiwan cycling adventure sounds incredible! Late December might not be peak fruit season, but the journey itself will undoubtedly be memorable.

[seng]

I really like the fermented stuff like black plums and black vinegar ginger, but I'm sure most would call that stuff an acquired taste. I think the cured stuff may be able to be brought back.

If you dare, try stinky tofu.  I think it is their national food.

[Oolie]

I really like the fermented stuff like black plums and black vinegar ginger, but I'm sure most would call that stuff an acquired taste. I think the cured stuff may be able to be brought back.

If you dare, try stinky tofu.  I think it is their national food.

If I ever find some, I'm down.

[TimWestley]

spammer

[palingkecil]

I'm headed to Taiwan in late December to tour the entire island on cycle route 1. This probably isn't the ideal time for fruit but regardless I was hoping to get an advice from locals or others who have visited. Especially interested in worthwhile markets or farms that I can try to include on my journey.

I forgot to tell you, December is a good month for fresh vegetables, especially cabbage. Taiwan's cabbage is the most delicious vegetable I've ever eaten. They usually just simply stirr fried it with garlic. It tasted sweet, tender but crunchy, and has a nice addictive flavor. Taiwanese believes it because of the fresh spring mineral water from Mount Alishan where it mostly grown. It is weird how I can be addicted to cabbage, but I  did.
For the best taste you should eat them right away after it stir fried. There are plenty of made by order restaurants around Feng Chia. Just pick the most crowded one, you cannot go wrong.

[Lucifermonkey]

Eat where the locals eat. So much inexpensive and delicious food. Make sure you visit the night markets whenever possible. Have a great time! 😃

[botanical pilot]

I wouldn't miss eating stinky tofu for the world!

Lucifermonkey has it right, got to eat where to locals are at. Whenever I'm in Asia I spend most of my time at the markets and seeking good food. I figure combing that with a bike tour just means endless food and less busses and trains. Thanks for pointing out the cabbage season palingkecil, I had excellent cabbage in Chongqing when I was there last and I'm excited to see how the Taiwanese prepare it.

Appreciate everyone's input!