Taiwan Food Atlas

Tongluo Chrysanthemum Tea

Autumn snow scenery on Jiuhu Plateau — home of 80% of Taiwan's chrysanthemums
📍 Miaoli · Tongluo Jiuhu Village⭐ Featured · Tea🔖 Chrysanthemum flower tea · Hakka agricultural specialty · Pesticide-residue tested

Tongluo Chrysanthemum Tea is a flower tea brewed from sun-dried chrysanthemum blossoms grown on the Jiuhu Plateau in Tongluo Township, Miaoli County, with a golden color and a clean, mildly bitter taste — a local processed agricultural product cultivated here for more than half a century. According to Miaoli County Government records, the Jiuhu Plateau chrysanthemum fields cover about 60 hectares, making it Taiwan's largest chrysanthemum-growing area, and the flowers reach full bloom every November in a landscape of white and yellow blossoms.

According to the Miaoli County Government's official website, the chrysanthemum fields on the Jiuhu Plateau in Tongluo cover approximately 60 hectares, making it Taiwan's largest growing area; the Tongluo Township Office records that cultivation began locally around the 1960s, with the flowers typically reaching full bloom every November — the same month the county government holds its annual "Tongluo Chrysanthemum Festival."

What is Tongluo Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) originates from Hangzhou, China; after being introduced to Taiwan it took root on the Jiuhu Plateau in Tongluo. The plateau sits at about 200 to 300 m elevation, with a large day-to-night temperature swing and well-drained soil — conditions that produce blossoms with a full, concentrated fragrance. After farmers harvest both white and yellow chrysanthemums, the flowers are slowly dried in low-temperature ovens to remove moisture while preserving the essential oils at the center of each blossom. When brewed, the tea turns golden-yellow, with a clean, mildly sweet-bitter taste; long steeping brings out a subtle sweetness, and it pairs well with rock sugar or goji berries.

Tongluo Township has been cultivating chrysanthemums for over 40 years. Currently, around 30 to 40 farming households in Jiuhu Village continue growing them, with a concentrated harvest period from mid-November to early December each year. The township farmers' association has set up an agricultural products sales center offering direct-from-source purchasing, and buyers can also visit Jiuhu Plateau farm households in person. The Miaoli County Government Tourism website publishes "Jiuhu Chrysanthemum Flower Field" travel information every year and co-organizes flower-viewing events with the Tongluo Township Office, making this one of the most talked-about agricultural attractions in the Hakka region every autumn.

How to enjoy it like a local

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Catch the seasonFlower-viewing runs September to November; purchasing season runs from November through early December. Miss it and you wait until next year. Most chrysanthemums sold in spring and summer are from stored dried stock.
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Buying from the farmers' association is safestThe Tongluo Township Farmers' Association agricultural sales center maintains official pesticide-testing records, ensuring residue compliance — more reliable than general markets or online sellers.
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Brewing methodUse hot water at 90°C and steep for 3 to 5 minutes before drinking; avoid over-steeping. White chrysanthemum is sweeter; yellow chrysanthemum is more fragrant — they can be blended.
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Farm experienceSome Jiuhu Plateau farm households offer chrysanthemum-picking experiences; the entry fee includes a small amount of freshly picked blossoms. Suitable for families with children — call ahead to confirm available spots.

Local knowledge

Verified facts

  • The Miaoli Regional Agricultural Research and Extension Station crop calendar records: Tongluo chrysanthemum harvest period is November to early December; Jiuhu Village accounts for 80% of Taiwan's national supply.
  • The Agriculture and Food Agency tests every batch for 411 pesticide residues; products are only released to market after passing. Test results can be viewed on the Tongluo Township Farmers' Association official website.
  • The Miaoli County Government Tourism website publishes annual Jiuhu chrysanthemum flower field travel announcements — officially recognized as a major agricultural landscape by the county government.

Tips for visiting

  • Traffic is heavy on November weekends; going on a weekday or departing early is recommended. Jiuhu Plateau has no large parking lot, and roadside parking space is limited.
  • When buying chrysanthemum tea, look for the "Tongluo Chrysanthemum" certification mark. Imported chrysanthemum imitations exist in the market; quality differs significantly from locally grown products.
  • For farm-picking experiences, advance booking with individual farm households is required. The township farmers' association can help match visitors with farms; showing up without a booking may mean no availability.

Sources: Miaoli Regional Agricultural Research and Extension Station crop calendar, Miaoli County Government Tourism website, Tongluo Township Farmers' Association promotional materials, Agriculture and Food Agency testing announcements. Photos to be replaced after Dio's on-site shoot.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see Tongluo's chrysanthemum blooms?

The flowers reach peak bloom around November each year, when the Jiuhu Plateau turns into a landscape of white and yellow blossoms.

How large is Tongluo's chrysanthemum cultivation?

According to Miaoli County Government's official website, the Jiuhu Plateau chrysanthemum fields cover about 60 hectares, making it Taiwan's largest chrysanthemum-growing area.

What's the best way to brew Tongluo chrysanthemum tea?

Steep it in water around 90°C for three to five minutes; white chrysanthemum tends to be sweeter and yellow more fragrant, so blending the two is also an option.

Sources

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