Alishan Highland Taro is a mountain-grown taro cultivated in the Tsou indigenous villages of Dabang and Lijia in Alishan Township, Chiayi County. The large day-to-night temperature swing at high altitude and the loose, well-aerated soil give it a dense, floury texture once steamed, noticeably different from taro grown at lower elevations. Dabang sits at roughly 900 meters above sea level, while Lijia ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 meters; Tsou farmers in both villages have cultivated terraced fields for generations, and taro ranks alongside ginger, bamboo shoots, ficus pumila (ai-yu), and high-mountain tea as one of the villages' staple crops.
Dabang, the largest Tsou settlement in Alishan Township, sits at roughly 900 meters above sea level, while Lijia — the most remote of the Tsou villages — ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 meters. Lijia's best-known agricultural products are tea, ai-yu (jelly fig), and coffee, though taro, ginger, and bamboo shoots are also commonly grown crops in the area, cultivated by both villages' farmers on terraced fields using traditional crop rotation.
What Is Alishan Highland Taro
The taro grown in the Dabang and Lijia tribes belongs to the Taiwan taro variety — rounded in shape, with pale purple-white flesh. Once steamed, the texture is dense and non-sticky, with a firm, starchy quality and a pronounced natural taro fragrance. The most common processed forms sold commercially are taro balls and taro ice cream. The farmers' association direct sales station carries both whole fresh taro and frozen semi-processed products. For cooking, the most local preparations are steaming, making taro paste, or adding it to glutinous rice cake.
Tsou farmers cultivate on hillside terraces using traditional crop rotation, reducing reliance on pesticides. Taro from Dabang and Lijia flows through the local farmers' association as its distribution hub, and some individual farmers also set up roadside farm stands along the Alishan Highway (Provincial Highway 18) for direct sales. Because the highland environment limits total output, supply outside the harvest season is thin — when purchasing, it is best to ask the farmers' association directly about the current week's harvest batch.
How to Eat It the Local Way
Local Knowledge
Verified Information
- Dabang and Lijia tribes sit at 600–1,200 m elevation with significant day-to-night temperature swings and loose, well-aerated soil — the environmental factors that give the highland taro its dense, floury fragrance.
- The Alishan Township Farmers' Association operates a direct sales station, which is the most reliable channel for purchasing taro with verified provenance.
- Tsou farmers use traditional crop rotation, and their agricultural culture is well preserved; some farming families also accept advance purchase arrangements.
Visiting Tips
- Outside the harvest season (January through August), market supply is limited — check with the farmers' association on current harvest availability before making the trip.
- Mountain roads are winding; heading to Dabang on weekdays is recommended to avoid weekend traffic and competition for stock.
- Fresh taro should be stored in a cool, ventilated place — do not refrigerate, as the cold can cause the flesh to brown and affect texture.
Sources: Alishan Township Farmers' Association; Tsou tribal agricultural records. Photos pending Dio on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the elevations of Dabang and Lijia villages?
Dabang sits at roughly 900 meters above sea level, while Lijia ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 meters, making it the most remote of the Tsou villages.
Is taro Lijia's most famous agricultural product?
Lijia's best-known products are actually tea, ai-yu (jelly fig), and coffee; taro, ginger, and bamboo shoots are common crops but not the village's flagship specialty.
When is the harvest season for Alishan highland taro?
The peak season runs from September to December, when quality is best; taro sold outside this window is mostly frozen or sourced from other regions.
Sources
- 達邦部落-阿里山景點介紹 — 達邦部落海拔約900公尺、鄒族最大部落
- 里佳村 - 維基百科 — 里佳部落海拔1,100至1,400公尺、農作物種類（含芋頭）