Taiwan’s Fish Lake Coffee Impresses Coffee Pioneer

Last September, a Taiwanese coffee took second place in the World Siphon Brewing Championship in Japan — a first for any homegrown Taiwanese bean. The coffee that secured the win? A single-origin lot grown in the little-known Fish Lake area of Nantou, Taiwan. Now, that very same coffee has earned the rare approval of Erna Knutsen, the woman credited with coining the term ‘specialty coffee’ over 50 years ago.

Erna Knutsen, now in her 90s, called the Fish Lake Crystal Mine coffee ‘truly amazing,’ citing its bright sweetness, deep chocolate notes, and exceptional balance after cupping it directly at the farm in Taiwan.

Who Is Erna Knutsen?

Erna Knutsen is a legendary figure in global coffee. In 1974, she introduced the term ‘specialty coffee’ to describe high-quality beans defined by origin and unique flavor profiles. Her work pushed the coffee industry to value terroir and quality processing over commodity grading. In 1991, the Specialty Coffee Association of America honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She is widely referred to as the ‘godmother of specialty coffee.’

The Coffee That Won Over Knutsen

The coffee variety in question is Crystal Mine, grown and roasted by Yu Fangxia at the Dashan Crystal Coffee Estate in Fish Lake, Nantou. Last year, Taiwanese barista Yang Jieru used this bean to claim second place at the World Siphon Brewing Championship in Japan — the first time a Taiwanese-grown bean appeared on the world stage in a professional competition.

Knutsen Visits the Source

Knutsen first tried the green beans through a connection with Wu Jianwen, then secretary-general of the Taiwan Speciality Coffee Association. After roasting and cupping the beans herself, she was so impressed that she requested a trip to Taiwan to meet Yu Fangxia and see the growing conditions firsthand. During her visit, accompanied by Fish Lake Township Mayor Chen Jinlun, Knutsen toured the estate and cupped the Crystal Mine coffee again on-site.

What Makes Fish Lake Coffee Special?

Fish Lake is not traditionally known as a coffee-growing region. Yet, despite modest planting scale, the area produces beans that have stunned international experts. The Crystal Mine coffee exhibits a striking profile: initial bright aromatics and sweetness, followed by a lasting chocolatey finish. Knutsen noted its remarkable clarity and complexity, qualities rarely associated with coffee from Taiwan.

Why This Matters for Taiwan Coffee

Knutsen’s endorsement brings rare global recognition to Taiwanese coffee production. While Taiwan grows other agricultural exports like tea, mushrooms, and orchids — often dubbed the ‘three treasures of Fish Lake’ — coffee has remained a small but emerging sector. This high-level praise could help put Taiwan on the map as a legitimate specialty coffee origin alongside more established regions.

Fish Lake’s Growing Potential

Mayor Chen Jinlun expressed hope that Knutsen’s support will boost Fish Lake coffee’s visibility worldwide. He emphasized that while coffee production remains limited in scale, the quality is undeniable. The goal now is to leverage Knutsen’s reputation to promote these unique beans internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Erna Knutsen and why is her opinion important?

Erna Knutsen is the pioneer who coined the term ‘specialty coffee’ in 1974 and advocated for recognizing unique flavors based on origin. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the SCAA in 1991 and is widely respected as the ‘godmother of specialty coffee.’ Her positive assessment carries major weight in the global coffee community.

What coffee did Knutsen praise from Taiwan?

Knutsen tasted and endorsed Crystal Mine coffee, a single-origin lot grown in Fish Lake, Nantou, Taiwan. The beans were cultivated and roasted by Yu Fangxia at the Dashan Crystal Coffee Estate.

Where was the coffee first recognized internationally?

The Crystal Mine coffee was used by Taiwanese barista Yang Jieru to win second place at the World Siphon Brewing Championship in Japan in September 2023 — the first time a Taiwanese-grown coffee gained international recognition in a competition.

What flavours does the Crystal Mine coffee have?

According to Knutsen, the coffee offers a bright, sweet aroma upfront, with a strong and persistent chocolate note that lingers. She described the overall profile as ‘magical’ and exceptionally well-balanced.

Why is Fish Lake not known for coffee?

Fish Lake has traditionally been associated with other crops like tea, mushrooms, and orchids. Coffee cultivation there is small-scale and relatively new, making the quality of its beans especially surprising to international experts.

Will this help promote Taiwanese coffee globally?

Local officials hope Knutsen’s endorsement will draw international attention to Fish Lake coffee. With her support, they aim to market these high-scoring beans to a global specialty coffee audience.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Taiwan-Like Terroir Exploration

If you’re curious about unique regional profiles like those from Taiwan’s Fish Lake, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, or Yirgacheffe from Gedeb for juicy berry and tropical tones. Both highlight origin-specific qualities much like the Crystal Mine coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.