Taiwan’s Deep Dive Coffee Tour: Taipei to Alishan

If you’ve ever wondered where to find the heart of Taiwan’s specialty coffee scene—beyond the beans, beyond the brew—this four-day guided journey is your answer. It’s not just about tasting; it’s about meeting the people who built the country’s coffee culture, from championship baristas to pioneering roasters and café owners who opened their doors to share their stories.

From February 24 to 27, 2014, this curated Taiwan coffee tour covered eight key cities and featured 14 must-visit specialty coffee shops, including GABEE., Fika Fika café, Rufous cafe, and Alishan’s renowned coffee estate. The trip included hands-on farm experiences, meet-the-owner sessions, and iconic café stops across Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, and Alishan.

Why This Taiwan Coffee Tour Matters

This wasn’t a typical foodie trip. Organized by the Coffee t&i Taiwan team and led by industry veteran Lin Dongyuan (Taiwan Regional Editor of Coffee t&i and 2004–2006 TBC Champion), the tour offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at Taiwan’s café ecosystem. It connected coffee professionals and enthusiasts with the people shaping the scene—shop owners, roasters, and even past competition champions—who shared insights into shop operations, brewing philosophies, and Taiwan’s unique coffee identity.

Where You Went: Iconic Cafés and Coffee Spots

The itinerary spanned the island’s top specialty coffee destinations:

Taipei

• GABEE. (founded by 2004 & 2006 TBC Champion)
• Simple Kaffa (2013 TBC Champion)
• Fika Fika café (North European Cup Tasting Champion)
• 4 Mano (2005, 2007, 2009 Taiwan Barista Championship Winner)
• Coffee Sweet (Taiwan 90+ green bean importer)
• Laku Laku, Rufous cafe, Cafe Libero, , , 5 sense

Taichung

• Mezamashikohi Cafe (Japanese-inspired café)
• (preserved historic building & excellent desserts)

Chiayi

• 33+V. cafe (known for warmth and community spirit)

Alishan

• (famous coffee estate with cupping demo)

Each stop included time with the owners, insights into their journeys, and often a cupping or brewing session. The Alishan leg featured a special (siphon coffee) demonstration at .

Itinerary At a Glance

Feb 23: Arrival in Taipei, check-in
Feb 24: GABEE., Coffee Sweet, Laku Laku, 4 Mano, Cafe Libero, farewell dinner at
Feb 25: Fika Fika café, Simple Kaffa, Rufous cafe, travel to Taichung, dinner at
Feb 26: Mezamashikohi, , travel to Changhua , then to Chiayi
Feb 27: coffee estate tour & demo, travel back to Taipei via Chiayi, dinner at

The package covered transportation, 3 nights in Taipei, 1 night in Taichung, 1 night in Alishan, coffee tastings at 14 locations, entry to , selected meals (not including night markets), and accommodation in shared rooms (singles available at extra cost). Total starting price: RMB 3500 (for 15-person group, adjusted by numbers).

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main purpose of the 2014 Taiwan coffee tour?

The tour was designed to immerse participants in Taiwan’s specialty coffee culture by visiting its most iconic cafés, meeting owners and champion baristas, and exploring the island’s coffee farms—especially in Alishan—with a focus on learning from those who built the scene.

How many cafés were visited during the trip?

The tour included 14 specialty coffee cafés across Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, and Alishan, such as GABEE., Fika Fika café, 4 Mano, Rufous cafe, 33+V. cafe, and coffee estate.

Who led the tour and what was their background?

The tour was organized by Coffee t&i Taiwan and led by Lin Dongyuan, Taiwan Regional Editor of Coffee t&i and a 2004–2006 TBC Champion, offering expert insight into Taiwan’s competitive and specialty coffee history.

Was the Alishan coffee estate part of the official itinerary?

Yes, day 4 included a visit to in Alishan, featuring a siphon coffee demonstration and estate tour, one of the tour’s highlight experiences.

What did the tour fee include?

The RMB 3500 starting fee covered transport, 4 nights’ accommodation (mostly shared), coffee tastings at 14 cafés, the tour, some meals (4 lunches, 2 dinners), but not night market visits like or .

Were the café owners present during the visits?

Yes, a unique aspect of the tour was that many café owners and operators personally hosted guests and shared their shop stories and insights on running a café in Taiwan.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Taiwanese Café Culture

For a taste of Taiwan’s coffee ethos, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Humbera—bright with citrus and floral tones—or their Colombia La Esperanza, a balanced cup with caramel and red fruit. Both highlight the single-origin focus seen in shops like 4 Mano and Fika Fika café. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.