Wikipedia

Coffee in Taiwan

Taiwan is both a coffee producing and coffee consuming country, however imports far outweigh domestic production.

Production

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The first coffee plants on Taiwan were imported by the British to Tainan in 1884 with the first significant small scale cultivation taking place in New Taipei City's Sanxia District. Tainan remains the heart of Taiwanese coffee culture.[1]

Commercial coffee production in Taiwan began during the Japanese colonial period.[1] The Japanese developed the industry to feed the export market.[2] Production reached a peak in 1941 following the introduction of arabica coffee plants. Production declined shortly thereafter as a result of World War II.[1] Domestic production is small--at 856 tons in 2023[3]--but of high quality. Imported beans account for the vast majority of coffee sold in Taiwan.

The coffee borer beetle is a significant pest in Taiwan.[4]

Tainung No. 1 is the first popular domestically bred coffee cultivar. It can be grown at lower altitudes than most coffee varieties and produces excellent quality beans.[2] Tainung No. 1 was released in 2025.[5]

Consumption

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During the Japanese colonial period between 1895 and 1945, Coffee, like other colonial introductions, was regarded as a sign of modernity. It was often made using a siphon, and tended to be strong and bitter.[6] Production reached a peak in 1941 following the introduction of arabica coffee plants by the Japanese colonial authorities.[1]

More recently, Starbucks' outlets in Taiwan have introduced local drinkers to espresso-based milk beverages, which are often milder than the brews traditionally served there.[6] Domestic production is still small, but of high quality; imported beans account for the vast majority of coffee sold in Taiwan. In 2016, domestic production was 900 tons while 30,000 tons were imported.[7] That year, a Taiwanese, Berg Wu, won the World Barista Championship; the victory helped bring to attention Taiwan's substantial involvement in coffee culture.[6]

By 2020, there were more than 15,000 coffee shops in Taiwan, including Starbucks, Taiwanese coffee shop chains, convenience stores, and independent outlets.[8] During that year, average coffee consumption surpassed average tea consumption for the first time.[9] By 2024, a significant percentage of specialty coffee shops were roasting their own beans, and tourists had started visiting Taiwan specifically to go "cafe hopping". Taiwan had become the third-largest coffee consumer per capita in Asia, and the average Taiwanese person was drinking 177 cups of coffee per year.[6]

Roasters

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The growth of coffee consumption in Taiwan has been accompanied by a rapid increase in cafés, chain stores, and specialty roasters. Traditional tea houses and beverage shops remain common, though coffee chains have become a significant part of urban commercial districts and transport hubs. International brands and domestic companies both play a major role in the market, with convenience stores also becoming important sellers of coffee beverages.

Starbucks

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A Starbucks outlet in Taipei

Starbucks entered the Taiwanese market in 1998 through a joint venture with Uni-President Enterprises Corporation. The first store opened in Taipei, and the chain later expanded across Taiwan, including outlets in railway stations, department stores, universities, and tourist areas. Starbucks Taiwan has introduced localized products and seasonal beverages, including drinks using Taiwanese tea and fruit ingredients.[10]

Some branches have been designed with regional themes or located in historic buildings.[11] The chain has also promoted reusable cup campaigns and mobile ordering services in Taiwan. In addition to coffee beverages, Starbucks stores in Taiwan commonly sell pastries, desserts, and locally themed merchandise.

Louisa Coffee

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Louisa Coffee Keelung Qidu Store

Louisa Coffee is a Taiwanese coffeehouse chain founded in 2006. It expanded rapidly during the 2010s and became one of the largest domestic café chains in Taiwan by number of stores.[12] Louisa outlets are commonly located near schools, office districts, and residential neighborhoods.

The company operates both café-style stores and smaller takeaway-oriented branches. In addition to espresso drinks, the menu includes tea beverages, light meals, and desserts. Some locations also serve alcoholic beverages and operate as hybrid café-bars.[13]

CAFE!N

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CAFE!N Taipei Minquan Store

CAFE!N is a Taiwanese coffee chain established in Taipei in 2018. The company is known for collaborations with fashion brands, artists, and entertainment franchises. Its stores are characterized by minimalist interior designs and a focus on takeaway coffee.[14]

The chain has introduced seasonal drinks and limited-edition merchandise through partnerships with domestic and international brands. CAFE!N outlets are concentrated mainly in northern Taiwan, though the company has expanded into other cities.[15]

Dante Coffee

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Dante Coffee Taipei Baoqing Store

Dante Coffee (丹堤咖啡) is a Taiwanese coffeehouse chain founded in 1993. It was among the earlier domestic café chains established during the expansion of coffee culture in Taiwan in the 1990s. The chain operates branches in commercial districts, hospitals, and transportation centers.[16]

Dante Coffee offers espresso-based beverages, sandwiches, cakes, and set meals. Some branches also function as study or meeting spaces due to their extended operating hours.[17]

Cama Café

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Cama Café Taipei Zhuangjing Songren Store

Cama Café is a Taiwanese coffee chain founded in 2006. The company expanded through small storefronts emphasizing freshly roasted coffee and takeaway beverages. Many branches roast coffee beans on-site or display roasting equipment inside stores.[18]

Cama Café operates locations throughout Taiwan and has also expanded into overseas markets.[19][20][21] The chain offers espresso drinks, single-origin coffee, and seasonal beverages.

Barista Coffee

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Barista Coffee is a Taiwanese coffeehouse chain established in the 1997. The company operates cafés primarily in Taipei and other urban areas. Its stores emphasize espresso beverages and café dining, with some branches offering full meal services.[22] Barista Coffee was among the domestic café chains that expanded during the growth of Taiwan's coffee market in the early 2000s.

Mr. Brown Coffee

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Mr. Brown Coffee is a Taiwanese coffee brand established by King Car Group in 1982. The brand became known for canned coffee beverages introduced during the 1980s and later expanded into café operations. Mr. Brown cafés were among the earlier large-scale coffeehouse chains in Taiwan.[23]

In addition to ready-to-drink canned coffee products, the company operates coffee shops serving espresso drinks, pastries, and meals. The brand has also sponsored cultural and arts-related events in Taiwan.[24]

Ecoffee

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Ecoffee is a Taiwanese café chain that operates stores in urban districts and transportation areas founded in 2002 in Taichung. The company focuses on espresso-based drinks with relatively affordable prices.[25] Some branches are integrated into office buildings and commercial centers.[26]

85°C Bakery Cafe

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85°C Bakery Cafe is a Taiwanese café and bakery chain established in 2004.[27] The company combines bakery products with coffee beverages and expanded internationally during the 2000s. Its stores are known for displaying baked goods in self-service formats.[28]

The chain's coffee products are generally positioned at lower price points than many international coffeehouse brands. In Taiwan, 85°C outlets are commonly found in residential districts and suburban areas.[29]

Convenience store coffee

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Convenience store chains such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart have become major coffee retailers in Taiwan. Freshly brewed coffee is widely sold through in-store café counters, often at lower prices than dedicated coffee shops.[30]

7-Eleven introduced its "City Cafe" brand in 2005 despite having sold coffee since 1985, while FamilyMart operates the "Let's Café" brand.[31] These services contributed to the growth of takeaway coffee consumption and increased the availability of coffee in smaller towns and suburban areas.[32]

Ikari Coffee

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Ikari Coffee is a Japanese coffeehouse chain that established operations in Taiwan in 1994. The company was among the earlier foreign café brands to expand into Taiwan before the rapid growth of specialty coffee chains in the 1990s and 2000s.[33]

Specialty roasters

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Taiwan has a large number of independent specialty coffee roasters and cafés. Many businesses source beans directly from producing countries and participate in international coffee competitions.[34] Taiwanese baristas and roasters have won titles in events organized by the Specialty Coffee Association, including the World Barista Championship, World Brewers Cup, and World Latte Art Championship.[35][36]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Staff Writer (17 February 2021). "FEATURE: Growers along Tainan's 'Coffee Road' want to put local brew on national map". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 Haime, Jordyn (17 August 2022). "Can a New Bean Make Taiwan's Coffee Industry Boom?". topics.amcham.com.tw. Taiwan Topics. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. ↑ R.O.C.(Taiwan), Ministry of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. "Ministry of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, R.O.C.(Taiwan)". eng.moa.gov.tw. Retrieved 2025-08-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Jones, Edward (29 November 2020). "Invasion of the coffee borer beetle". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  5. ↑ Lai, Reagan. "Taiwan unveils first homegrown coffee variety". Taiwan News. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Issak, Ilham (26 October 2024). "Famous for bubble tea, Taiwan is now brewing a path to coffee fame". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "Coffee culture booms in Taiwan". Agencia EFE. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  8. ↑ News Desk. "Coffee culture on the rise in Taiwan". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  9. ↑ Yuan-ting, Yang; Chung, Jake (31 August 2021). "Coffee consumption exceeds that of tea for the first time". Taipei Times. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Cybil Chou (January 27, 2000). "Starbucks aims to open 20 more stores by year-end". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Starbucks opens first store built from recycled shipping containers in Taiwan". www.comunicaffe.com. September 27, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  12. ↑ 何秀玲; 黃文奇 (December 24, 2019). "咖啡店龍頭換人做！路易莎上位 星巴克年賺110億稱霸" [A new king in the coffee chain world! Louisa surpasses Starbucks]. United Daily News. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ Hsieh, Ming-ling (April 6, 2018). "Louisa Coffee Takes Aim at Starbucks". CommonWealth Magazine. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  14. ↑ 陳書榕 (2023-11-02). "開張五年、聯名40品牌 小咖啡店憑什麼讓迪士尼也點頭". Business Weekly (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  15. ↑ "有品味的好咖啡！持續與世界聯名 CAFE!N玩出咖啡新態度". GQ Shop Taiwan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2023-10-12. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  16. ↑ "丹堤咖啡 老牌創新拚突圍" [Dante Coffee, a long-established brand with innovation and breakthrough]. Business Today (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  17. ↑ "Origin of Brands". dante.com.tw. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  18. ↑ 江, 明晏 (April 2, 2022). "打造7億營收cama咖啡王國 何炳霖一場意外頓悟放手哲學". Central News Agency (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  19. ↑ 羅建怡 (2026-02-12). "走春咖啡地圖！全台13家星巴克特色門市 一次盤點". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Cama Cafe eyes opening a store in Southeast Asia". Taipei Times. December 2, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Taiwan coffee shop chain to expand in Southeast Asia". Taiwan News. 26 November 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  22. ↑ 楊雅民; 溫于德 (27 November 2019). "空少自創「西雅圖」爆發攙偽自毀江山" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
  23. ↑ "從檳榔攤紅到歐洲賣場！台灣傳奇飲料「伯朗咖啡」究竟多厲害？揭秘罐裝咖啡製作過程" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). The Storm Media. 2019-02-23. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
  24. ↑ 楊雅民 (2006-06-18). "《品牌故事》金車集團金雞母 伯朗咖啡 內外通吃" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
  25. ↑ 曾憲虹 (2023-05-15). "誰說35元沒有好咖啡？ 開啟平價咖啡風潮的「壹咖啡」". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  26. ↑ 謝春滿 (2004-01-08). "顏文山從零出發 壹咖啡五十萬起家 創造億元營收 P.86" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Business Today. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  27. ↑ 潘毅 (2025-08-24). "台灣超商都在搶咖啡生意了！為何85度C屹立不搖21年？專家揭內幕" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). NOW News. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  28. ↑ "科技讓台灣成信任品牌 85度C、歇腳亭搶灘美國市場" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). United Daily News. 2025-12-07. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ 莉絲 (2019-02-23). "85度C有什麼厲害? 網友點出這幾點 確實難以超越" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). The Storm Media. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  30. ↑ 佐宮圭 (2023-09-01). "台灣超商現沖咖啡1987年慘淡退場，為何20年後雪恥成功？". CommonWealth Magazine (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  31. ↑ "超商販售咖啡的起點　1985年7-ELEVEN現煮咖啡每杯僅15元！". United Daily News. 2023-08-08. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  32. ↑ 楊雅民 (2016-06-13). "〈品牌故事〉10年間零到百億 CITY CAFÉ創品牌傳奇" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
  33. ↑ 朱明珠 (September 30, 2025). "專訪／從基層到總經理 游懿芳解密怡客咖啡31年的轉變：味覺升級與餐酒策略". Taiwan News. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ Sean Scanlan (November 5, 2024). "Taiwan barista wins World Siphonist Championship". Taiwan News. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  35. ↑ Yang Yuan-ting; William Hetherington (April 21, 2026). "Taiwanese barista wins latte art contest". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  36. ↑ Joshua Dusk-Peebles (August 17, 2016). "Brewing Experiments: Chad Wang's World Brewers Cup Recipe". www.baristamagazine.com. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
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