"Citrus taiwanica" (scientific name: Citrus taiwanica Tanaka et Shimada) is a rutaceae citrus plant endemic to Taiwan. Its specific epithet was named after Taiwan. Unlike common oranges, sunkists, and ponkan oranges found in the market, it is a fruit tree species native to Taiwan. It was first discovered in 1926 by a Japanese botanist in Hongmaoguan of Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli (currently the area around Penglai Village, Nanzhuang Township), hence its naming of "Citrus taiwanica." Local indigenous people of the Saisiyat Tribe called them "Kata'iyok," or food prepared by mothers.
At the beginning of 2021, the Hsinchu Forest District Office and the Saisiyat Tribe jointly organized the "Citrus taiwanica Homecoming" event to restore the endangered wild Citrus taiwanica in their native habitat. This became a milestone for the simultaneous undertaking of conservation and restoration, as well as the industrial application of Citrus taiwanica. At the end of 2022, the Hsinchu Forest District Office had collected the invaluable fruit at Lion's Head Mountain Workstation in the Tri-mountain National Scenic Area of the Tourism Bureau, and the campus of National Chung Hsing University. A partnership was also formed with Keya Jam, the "Queen of Jam," to produce jams such as "Nansho Daidai Marmalade" and "Nansho Daidai & Honey Marmalade." These efforts resulted in great news as both marmalades won magnificent accolades of 1 gold and 2 silvers at the 2023 World's Original Marmalade Awards. Keya Jam, which has won countless awards over the years, stated that it had originally decided to never compete again. However, it was introduced to Citrus taiwanica by the Hsinchu Forest District Office and was immediately captivated by the powerful, rich, wild flavors and sour aroma. The native species is vastly different from commercially cultivated orange species, which prompted Keya Jam to once again compete so as to introduce Taiwan's unique and endemic "orange" to the world.
The Hsinchu Forest District Office stated that as an endemic species to Taiwan, Citrus taiwanica is an extremely precious natural asset that has almost become extinct in the wild due to urban development. One of the primary reasons is that many people believe its sour and bitter taste lacks value, and is therefore inferior to imported species. As such, winning an award at the international "Oscars of Marmalade" not only affirms Citrus taiwanica as the true pride of Taiwan’s "Fruit Kingdom” reputation, but also reinforces the conservation of Citrus taiwanica. The Hsinchu Forest District Office has begun working with the Saisiyat people by prioritizing the restoration of Citrus taiwanica at the native habitat. Traditional indigenous wisdom and the research results of modern science have been combined to provide economic value in developing Citrus taiwanica products that feature local characteristics. This allows rare and precious forest resources to become the cornerstone that supports the Saisiyat people's livelihoods and is a step towards the simultaneous undertaking of species conservation and economic development. If you wish to know more about Citrus taiwanica, please visit the "Forest Station" at Penglai Village, Nanzhuang Township where Saisiyat elders will tell stories of how Citrus taiwanica takes root across the forests of Nanzhuang.
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