Xinyi Plum Products are the green plums grown in Xinyi Township, Nantou, and the processed goods made from them — Xinyi is one of Taiwan's most important green plum regions, and the plum is Nantou County's official flower. Every early spring the hillsides are brushed over in white plum blossoms; when the fruit sets, locals turn the tart green plums into crisp pickled plum, chewy Q plum, and plum wine, fermenting them into everyday life and a well-earned reputation.
The millet wine "Malasang" was developed and produced by the Xinyi Township Farmers' Association at the request of the film crew for the 2008 movie Cape No. 7, completed in about a month; the name comes from the Amis language and means "drunk." Xinyi Township accounts for roughly one-fifth of Taiwan's total green plum production, and its Farmers' Association was the first in Taiwan to obtain a liquor-brewing license.
What are Xinyi Plum Products?
Xinyi Plum Products refers to the green plums grown in Xinyi Township, Nantou, and the processed goods made from them. Xinyi Township is one of Taiwan's most important green plum production areas, and the county flower of Nantou is indeed the plum. Local producers turn green plums into a range of products including crisp pickled plum, chewy Q plum, plum concentrate, and plum wine, forming a complete local plum industry.
To understand Xinyi plums, you can't skip the Farmers' Association's "Plum Dream Factory" (Meizi Mengong Chang) — the official landmark of the plum industry, selling all manner of plum products and plum wine, including the millet wine "Malasang" that gained fame through the film Cape No. 7. One factory ties together the plum trees on the hillsides and the souvenirs you can take home.
How to experience it the authentic way
Local knowledge
Verified facts (sponsored content excluded)
- Xinyi Township is one of Taiwan's most important green plum production areas. The county flower of Nantou is the plum.
- The Xinyi Township Farmers' Association's Plum Dream Factory is the official landmark of the plum industry, selling plum products and plum wine.
- The "Malasang" millet wine that gained fame through the film Cape No. 7 is available at the Plum Dream Factory.
Visitor tips
- Xinyi plums are centred on plum products, plum wine, and the plum industry. There is no formally listed "plum cuisine" in the area's official sources — don't expect a full plum-based meal.
- Green plums are seasonal. Processed products such as crisp pickled plum and Q plum are available year-round. For plum blossom viewing, aim for early spring.
Information compiled from the Nantou County Government tourism resources and local township farmers' associations. Sponsored content has been excluded. Photos will be replaced after on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the millet wine "Malasang" come from?
Malasang is a millet wine developed by the Xinyi Township Farmers' Association at director Wei Te-sheng's request for the film Cape No. 7, completed in about a month; the name comes from the Amis word for "drunk."
How significant is Xinyi's plum production nationally?
Xinyi Township is one of Taiwan's most important green plum regions, producing roughly one-fifth of the island's total output, and the plum is Nantou County's official flower.
What plum products does Xinyi make?
Xinyi processes green plums into crisp pickled plum, chewy Q plum, plum concentrate, and plum wine, forming a complete local plum industry.
Sources
- 信義鄉農會-梅子夢工廠購物網 — 信義鄉青梅產業與加工品介紹
- 馬拉桑（酒）- 維基百科 — 馬拉桑小米酒由信義鄉農會為電影《海角七號》研發、阿美族語命名由來