202506/23
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) held a Taiwan sharing event titled “From Roots to Glory: Citrus Taiwanica” at the Boven Magazine Library in Taipei today (06/23), showcasing the achievements of the endangered endemic
Citrus taiwanica (also known as “Nanzhuang orange” or “Nansho Daidai sour orange”) in recent years, from its conservation and restoration, to cultural revival, to international exchanges. Through the integration of an exhibition, lecture, and food design, the event presented the conservation history and cultural value of
Citrus taiwanica through a multi-sensory experience and cross-disciplinary narrative. Through flavor creation, visual curation, and knowledge interpretation,
Citrus taiwanica has transformed from an endemic plant to a carrier that transcends ethnicity, language, and culture, reflecting the integrated results of biodiversity conservation and the practice of cultural revitalization.
Citrus taiwanica is a critically endangered citrus plant that is endemic to Taiwan, as well as a traditional ethnic plant of the Saisiyat people known as “Kata’iyok.” It is only found in the mountainous area of Nanzhuang in Miaoli, and was once a specific daily food ingredient and ritual offering of the Saisiyat people. Since 2020, the FANCA has been working with National Chung Hsing University, National Taiwan University, and the Saisiyat tribe of Nanzhuang to collect specimens from the few only remaining trees, grow saplings, and bring reintroduce the plant back to its native habitat. The FANCA has also established a
seed preservation strategy system seed conservation strategy in conjunction with academic institutions to make
Citrus taiwanica a bridge that connects the environment, culture, and scientific research. To expand the application potential and market connection of
Citrus taiwanica, the FANCA has collaborated with Keya Jam since 2022, drawing inspiration from the traditional usage of this fruit by the Saisiyat people, as well as combining elements such as honey and tea to develop jams and flavor narratives. The
Citrus taiwanica jam series has won three golds, eight silvers, and eight bronze medals at the Dalemain World Marmalade Awards in the UK for three consecutive years, successfully attracting attention from the international market.
This spring, the FANCA joined hands with jam-makers and a cultural design team and brought the story of
Citrus taiwanica to London and Berlin. They participated in the 20th anniversary of the Dalemain World Marmalade Awards in the UK, and organized lectures, exhibitions, and exchanges, opening up an international dialogue that incorporates cultures and flavors. Through jam, tea, and flavor design, Europe was given a chance to get to know
Citrus taiwanica through their tastebuds, showcasing the local memories and cross-cultural connotations carried by native plants.
The “From Roots to Glory: Citrus Taiwanica” event shifted focus from international actions back to Taiwan, where the plant is rooted in the memory of mountains and forests and its cultural network. Through a cultural exhibition, themed discussion, and food design, the event showcased how
Citrus taiwanica has evolved was transformed from an endangered plant into a cultural movement, —a practicemodel of forest co-governance jointly shaped by Indigenous communities and the government.becoming an example of joint forest management implementation established by indigenous communities and the government. The exhibition was centered around ethnic memory, flavor translation, and international journeys, where the cultural life of
Citrus taiwanica could be seen through images, writing, and displays of
Citrus taiwanica seedlings. The flavor design by the creative dessert brand Mano Mano combined Citrus taiwanica, forest honey, log-cultivated shiitake mushrooms log-grown shiitake mushrooms, and local Saisiyat food ingredients to create a unique showpiece, allowing the mountain and forest culture to be re-perceived through the sense of taste. The themed discussion was hosted by nature writer Chan Wei-Hsiung, food culture researcher Feng Chung-Tien, and environmental conservation scholar Paulina G. Karim. They discussed the reinterpretation of Taiwan’s local customs from the perspectives of nature writing, food, and international conservation, and conducted a cross-border dialogue between the local and international communities.
Director General Lin Hwa-Ching of the FANCA said that the story of
Citrus taiwanica reminds us that conservation is not only an institutional action, but a local cultural practice that needs to be tasted, perceived, and translated. The restoration and development of
Citrus taiwanica is not only a conservation action for an endangered plant, but also an action process a participatory process that is rooted in the local community and involves the building of consensus and collective participation. Through the joint participation of the FANCA, the Saisiyat tribe of Nanzhuang, academic research units, jam-makers, and cultural design teams, we are able to bring together the participation of indigenous subjects, cultural innovation, and endangered species conservation. Through deepened shared management that links diverse benefits, the unique flavor of
Citrus taiwanica has been transformed into a novel opportunity for local conservation and cultural memory to gain global recognition.
The “From Roots to Glory: Citrus Taiwanica” exhibition will be on display at the Boven Magazine Library in Taipei from now until July 6. The FANCA has collaborated with Keya Jam and Boven Cafe to simultaneously launch a limited edition
Citrus taiwanica jam dish, inviting the public to experience the flavor and story of
Citrus taiwanica and taste the diverse benefits and cultural heritage of Taiwan’s forests.