The plums cultivated in Taiwan come in six main varieties and are farmed on the west side of the central mountain range. Plums can induce appetite, dispel abdominal distention, resolve the effects of alcohol, prevent motion sickness and colds, etc. Since these plums are highly acidic and only slightly sweet, they are not often used as fresh fruit after harvest and are instead turned into plum preserves.

Watermelon is a quintessential symbol of summer and its sweet juiciness can quench any thirst. It is a nutrient-rich, pure, and safe food that contains no lipids or cholesterol but other critical nutrients that people need. In conventional medicine, watermelon is considered to effectively fight heat and thirst, work as a diuretic...

Taiwan grows roughly 14 varieties of prunes; the main variety has red flesh, which contains sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, C, B1, and B2, etc. This heart-shaped fruit has red skin and a blood red or purple flesh and tastes slightly acidic. The skins of prunes have fruit powder. Prunes are very juicy with a delicate flesh and sweetly acidic flavor; people can’t resist them.

Taiwan cultivates many types of mangoes, with the Irwin mango and Jinhuang mango being the most popular due to their fine quality, deep and fresh taste, and perfect ratio of sweet and sour. Mangoes are rich in fructose, sucrose, carbohydrates, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and other nutrients. The sweetness degree of a mango is 12 ~ 15.

Taiwanese loquats have a short planting period and are cultivated based on their flesh colors, either red or white. The white flesh tastes better and has a firm flesh, juicy and sweet taste, and abundance of sugars, malic acid, vitamins A and P, citric acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, etc. Furthermore, loquat leaves, although they originally taste bitter, can clear away lung heat, cure coughing, and protect the voice and is one of the major ingredients in loquat lotion.

Although strawberries are mainly planted in Dahu Township of Miaoli County, the whole island of Taiwan is known as the “Strawberry Kingdom” because of the common occurrence of sporadic strawberry cultivation. Delicate and delightful strawberries are many people’s favorite fruit due to their soft and juicy texture, fragrant aroma, and sweet taste. They also contain protein, organic acid, pectin, and other nutrients. Its vitamin C content is much higher than that of apples and grapes.

Taiwan’s climate is dry in winter and spring but rainy in summer, which is ideal for growing lychee. The main production area is in central and southern Taiwan. Taiwanese lychees come in many varieties: Yu her pau has a fine flesh and is crunchy, sweet, and slightly astringent; Nuomici has a thick flesh and is succulent and sweet like honey; Black leaf has large fruit, large kernels and a succulent and soft flesh and is fragrant. Lychees are full of nutrients, including protein, vitamins, fat, citric acid, pectin, phosphorus, iron, etc.