The History of Coffee in Taiwan: From 1884 to Today

Ever wondered how coffee took root in Taiwan—or why it nearly disappeared? The story isn’t just about beans, but colonial ambitions, wartime disruption, and a slow cultural revival that brought cafés back to life. If you’ve sipped a cup in Taipei or Tainan and thought, ‘How did we get here?’, the answer lies in over a century of planting, politics, and persistence.

In short: Coffee was first introduced to Taiwan in 1884 by the British in Taipei’s Sanxia District. The Japanese expanded it massively from 1900s onward, focusing on Arabica in regions like Zhiben and Ruisui. By 1941, Taiwan produced high-quality coffee in volume—until WWII collapsed the market. Post-war, coffee faded until the 1950s–1990s saw its return via American influence, literary cafés, and eventually modern chains.

The Origins: 1884–1941

Coffee first arrived in Taiwan in 1884 (during the 10th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign) when the British planted it experimentally in Taipei’s Sanxia District. Later, during Japanese colonial rule (1895–1945), the Japanese identified Taiwan’s climate and soil as well-suited for coffee. They imported Arabica varieties from abroad, successfully trialed them in the north, and then invested heavily in large-scale cultivation in areas like Zhiben and Ruisui . By the 1940s, production was strong and quality was high.

The Golden Age and Sudden Decline

By 1941, Taiwan’s coffee industry reached its peak—production was abundant and the cup quality excellent. But World War II soon disrupted everything. With supply chains broken, markets lost, and labor redirected to rice farming, coffee farms were abandoned. After Japan’s defeat and withdrawal, interest in Taiwanese coffee evaporated, leading to decades of decline.

The Slow Comeback: 1950–1990

Coffee began returning to Taiwan in phases. In the 1950s, instant coffee entered with American influence—initially only Nestlé products were available. The 1960s saw the rise of “honey coffee shops,” with Taipei’s Wuchang Street’s Famous People Café becoming a hub for local literary figures. The 1980s brought a mix: book-themed cafés in central and southern Taiwan, and garden-style coffee shops. By the 1990s, European-style cafés, Japanese-inspired shops, and the first major coffee chains had taken hold.

Coffee Varieties Grown in Taiwan

Over the years, various institutions across Taiwan have cultivated different coffee species:

• Liberica : grown by institutions including National Taiwan University’s Department of Horticulture, Chiayi Agricultural Research Institute, and the Hengchun Branch of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute.
• Arabica : cultivated at locations such as National Chung Hsing University’s Experimental Forest, Huihsun Forest Farm’s Xianye Forest Area, Hengchun Branch of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Douliu Economic Farm, and Kenting National Park’s Tianxia area.

Notable Historical Coffee Farms

Today, the most significant remaining coffee-growing sites in Taiwan include:

• AnTong Farm : began growing coffee in 1963.
• Huihsun Forest Farm : part of the historical Arabica-growing regions.

Early 20th Century Plantings

In around 1931, Japan’s Kimura Cafe Company planted coffee in Chiayi, later expanding to Ruisui in Hualien. These early efforts laid groundwork for later commercial trials.

The Modern Café Evolution

From the 1960s literary cafés to 1990s global-style chains, Taiwan’s coffee scene evolved through multiple waves. Each decade added new influences—from American instant coffee to Japanese café design—culminating in the diverse offerings seen in Taiwan today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was coffee first introduced to Taiwan?

Coffee was first introduced to Taiwan in 1884 by the British, who planted it experimentally in Taipei’s Sanxia District.

Which Japanese company planted coffee in Taiwan in the 1930s?

Japan’s Kimura Cafe Company planted coffee in Chiayi around 1931, and later in Ruisui, Hualien.

When did Taiwan’s coffee production peak historically?

Taiwan’s coffee production reached its peak in 1941, with abundant yield and high-quality beans, before being disrupted by World War II.

What regions in Taiwan were major coffee-growing areas during Japanese rule?

Major coffee-growing regions during Japanese rule included Zhiben and Ruisui , where Arabica was planted extensively after successful northern trials.

What caused the decline of coffee farming in Taiwan after 1941?

The outbreak of World War II led to the collapse of coffee sales, labor shortages, and the redirection of agriculture to food crops like rice. After Japan’s surrender, coffee was largely abandoned.

When did modern café culture begin to revive coffee in Taiwan?

Modern café culture began reviving coffee in Taiwan during the 1950s–1990s, starting with instant coffee in the 1950s, literary cafés in the 1960s, and evolving through garden cafés, European-style shops, and chains by the 1990s.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Taiwanese Coffee History

To connect with Taiwan’s coffee journey, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 (Typica，、) for historical depth, or Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon . Both highlight the Arabica heritage that took root in Taiwan over a century ago. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.