Grapes Picking at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli, Taiwan

On my fourth day in Taiwan, we were off to pick grapes at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli County.

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Started around 1950′s, viticulture is relatively new in Taiwan. Vineyards are scattered around Taiwan but about one-third of the grape production comes from Miaoli County.

Just like the pears in Dong Rong Farm, the grapes are sealed with waxed bags to protect them from the elements.

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Picking grapes is easy peasy. Just open the bag to check if the grapes are ready for harvest. Once they are, just snip the bunch off the vine.

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The grape variety grown in Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm is known as Kyoho. It was first cultivated in Japan and was later on brought in Taiwan during the 1960′s.

Kyoho, literally meaning giant mountain grapes, was named after Mount Fuji because of its size.

It is a crossbreed of two grape species namely the American Ishiharawase (Vitis labrusca) and European Centennial (Vitis vinifera). The Taiwanese farmers retained its Japanese name in Chinese characters and pronounce it as Chufeng. 

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Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm has garnered awards for having the best grapes in Miaoli County for 3 consecutive years. These are hands down the best grapes I’ve had in my life! They have a thick, smooth, blackish-purple peel with a soft, sweet, succulent pulp.

These enormous grapes are known to have great health benefits.

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They are rich in iron, vitamin C, thiamine, potassium, dietary fiber, resveratrol and many more. Consuming this fruit is good for the kidneys, heart, brain and overall digestion. They can be eaten as is or blended into a delicious, refreshing smoothie – no need to add sugar because grapes are already sweet!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm
Pear picking at Dong Rong Farm