SAMPLE STORE X Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Trade Fair organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) held on 16 July at Marina Mandarin Hotel, Leo and Capricorn Ballroom. 

​I've travelled to Taiwan a few times, including spending over two weeks there when we took our first pre-wedding photoshoot. That trip we went down the west by HSR, stopped for days at places which captured my heart like Jiufen, Taichung, and my ultimate favourite Kending. We then took the train back up the east side to Taipei for our return. 
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My favourites were of course trying all the different brands of foods that we were not able to access in Singapore, I believe I spent more time in the convenience stores and supermarkets than shopping. Besides that what awed me the most is the sincerity of the Taiwanese and the insane freshness of the fruits!

Of course, many Taiwan fresh produce and processed food are already available in Singapore, but I was fortunate to be exposed to even more of them! The event also hosted many traders and F&B distributors, which gives me hope that there would be more of these amazing products in the market!

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Oriental Pears
Taichung Shigang District Farmers Association
http://www.skhfa.org.tw/

The oriental pears selected by the Shigang District Farmers' Association won the government's domestically-made excellent brand fruit certification in 1999, and was named as the golden pearl pear! 

The pears are sweet and juicy, and are able to quench thirst and hydrate the body. I'd know and vouch for it because I received a pair which I shared with my family. 
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The level of excellence extends to how they define the pears as being optimal when the pear has the round and correct shape, and the lustrous appearance of the skin looks a little transparent. The oriental pears have the best quality when they weigh between 450 and 600 grams. That precision shows how much pride they take in their produce. 

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Purple Waxy Corn
Chingshui Farmers’ Association (Hido Agri Innovation)
https://www.tccsfa.org.tw/
https://hidoagri.farmer-market.com.tw/

The story behind the Purple Waxy Corn is a memorable one. The university graduate in engineering/architecture decided to go into farming with the enthusiasm and intent to grow healthy organic crops for his family. He shared about how he liked the color purple and therefore the crops he chose to farm were all purple in color. Like beetroot and purple sweet potatoes etc. 

The Purple Waxy Corn contains anthocyanins, which help protect plants against extreme temperatures and naturally gives it the rich colouring. The corns are also claimed to be sticky to eat, taste good and sweet, is low in calories, and is very healthy food.

I tried a portion of it, and I'm not sure if it's because of the color but it reminds me of black glutinous rice (i.e. Bobur Hitam), not too sure about incorporating it into meals, but it'd make an interesting snack if we prepare it with butter and salt. 

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Pomelo / Wendan Fruit
Tainan Madou District Farmers’ Association
http://www.madou.org.tw/Default.asp

I learnt many new things that day at the Trade Fair. The pomelo flower is harvested when the flowers bloom in spring. In ancient times, pomelos were used with steamed sesame oil and applied to the face for fair and smooth skin. 
The Compendium also records that "Pomelo is cold, non-toxic, long-haired and moist." According to the legend in the Qing Dynasty, the court royal doctor sent people to collect pomelo flowers, and refined the essence to make beauty oil for use in makeup.

The pomelo is also known as the Wendan fruit 文旦. IT is rich in vitamin A, B1, B2, C, dietary fiber, pectin, organic acids, and minerals.

Besides the fleshy part of the fruit that's eaten, the entirety of the fruit is repurposed into skincare, beauty products, snacks etc. And the packaging is to-die-for pretty. 

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Other products at the Fair

100% Pure Rice Noodle
Hsinchu City Farmers' Association​
https://www.hccfa.org.tw/%E7%B7%9A%E4%B8%8A%E8%B3%BC%E7%89%A9/category/28-local-specialty

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Fruit Honey
Taichung Shigang District Farmers Association
http://www.skhfa.org.tw/

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The third-generation who gave up his designer work and went back to his family business of peanuts, but it's pretty obvious his background in design wasn't wasted because the packaging makes giving peanuts as gifts totally cool! 

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Courtesy of the Taiwan Trade Center and Sample Store, I got to try these amazingly "clean" foods which barely has or totally do not have additives. 

Though of course... the pears are my favourite. Someone please bring them into Singapore <3. 

To better health and lifestyle!
​Cheers :)