From a single tea leaf, a cup of bubble tea and a bowl of douhua to the lights of the night market — sail six stops along Taiwan's coast to meet its flavors and people, and see how a Taiwanese food company carries them to the world.
Along Taiwan's coastline — setting off from the tea hills and finally sailing from the harbor to the world.
Brand Philosophy
Tang Sugar Brand Philosophy: Taiwanese Food and Taiwanese Service, Bringing the Flavors of Taiwan to the World
From the Formosa Oolong that sailed to New York in 1869 to bubble tea loved around the globe, Taiwan has long been sending great flavors to the world. Tang Sugar (Caitang International) is a Taiwanese company proud of the food Taiwanese people make and the service they provide. With consistent ingredient quality, clear partnership terms and verifiable supply capability, we…
It introduces Taiwan's tea, bubble tea, night-market food, fruit and sugar, everyday life and Made in Taiwan, and shows how Tang Sugar brings these flavors and Taiwanese service to partners around the world.
How is Taiwan Stories different from the blog?
Taiwan Stories covers culture, origins and Taiwan through foreign eyes; the blog covers drink recipes, ingredient dosage and sourcing. The two link to each other, so you can go from a story to a recipe.
A Guide to Taiwanese Desserts: Douhua, Aiyu, Grass Jelly, Taro Balls, Shaved Ice and Fen Guo — Must-Try Taiwanese Sweets and Their English Names
Key answer
Taiwanese desserts are natural, light and generous with toppings — served cold in summer and hot in winter. The classics are douhua, aiyu jelly, grass jelly, taro balls, shaved ice and snow ice, fen guo, and red bean and mung bean soup. Aiyu comes from a plant variety endemic to Taiwan, Guanxi in Hsinchu has Taiwan’s largest grass jelly growing area, and Jiufen is famous for taro balls. Tang Sugar supplies aiyu, grass jelly, taro balls, canned red and mung beans and other toppings so shops overseas can make Taiwanese desserts.
Taiwanese desserts: a bowl of happiness you build yourself
In a Taiwanese dessert shop, customers usually choose a base first (douhua, shaved ice, grass jelly or aiyu), then pick three or four toppings from a long row, and finally choose the syrup and whether it’s cold or hot. This build-your-own style mirrors how Taiwan’s drink shops let customers choose their own sugar and ice levels (further reading: Taiwan’s hand-shaken drink culture).
Tang Sugar: helping Taiwanese desserts open shop overseas
Taiwanese desserts are mostly made from natural ingredients with light flavors, which makes them easy to introduce overseas. Caitang International Co., Ltd. (brand name Tang Sugar) is proud of Taiwan’s dessert culture and supplies the toppings dessert and drink shops need:
This article belongs to Stop 3, Night Markets & Street Food, of the Taiwan Stories series. Series opener: Tang Sugar brand philosophy.
FAQ
What are the most popular Taiwanese desserts?
Common ones are douhua, aiyu, grass jelly, taro balls, shaved ice, snow ice, fen guo, and red bean and mung bean soup, usually with toppings you choose yourself.
What are Taiwanese desserts called in English?
They’re called Taiwanese desserts — for example douhua (豆花), aiyu jelly (愛玉), grass jelly (仙草) and taro balls (芋圓).
Which desserts are unique to Taiwan?
Aiyu comes from a plant variety endemic to Taiwan, and hot grass jelly, Jiufen taro balls and Taiwanese snow ice were all developed in Taiwan.
Are Taiwanese desserts high in calories?
The bases are mostly low in calories; most calories come from the syrup and toppings, so you can ask for less sugar and fewer toppings.
Can shops overseas sell Taiwanese desserts?
Yes. Douhua and grass jelly can be made in-store, while toppings such as aiyu, taro balls and red beans, plus syrups, can be imported from Taiwan in line with local regulations.
