https://www.scmp.com/rss/329902/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Thanks to the blessings of good shorelines, abundant sunshine and smooth and flat fields, Taiwan is among several regions in Asia that boast a long tradition of sea salt making. Historical records suggest that Taiwanese sea salt history dates as far back as the year 914, on the Kinmen Islands – just 6km off the Fujian coastline – long before China’s Song dynasty (960–1279) was established. “The strong northeast monsoon, dry weather in autumn and winter, plus long summer daytimes facilitated fast... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3074605/why-taiwans-sea-salt-fields-are-2020s-next-unlikely-travel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3074605/why-taiwans-sea-salt-fields-are-2020s-next-unlikely-travel?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:00:11 +0000 Since its initial development by the Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, biodynamic farming has been adopted by several notable vineyards in countries such as France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Canada and the United States. In the past decade, the movement has spread westwards and taken root in the Ningxia wine region of China, thanks to the arrival of European and Western-educated Chinese winemakers. Biodynamic... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3044436/why-chinas-biodynamic-wines-are-gaining-cult-following-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3044436/why-chinas-biodynamic-wines-are-gaining-cult-following-home?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:00:08 +0000 “Is this really made in Taiwan?” Ryohei Hieda marvelled after his first chance encounter with a native sparkling wine years ago. “From the smell of dried goods and Chinese herbal medicines to the aroma of shredded mango ice you dig in, all the flavours you ever experience in Taiwan are encapsulated in this bottle.” The chef of two Michelin-star-rated Shoun RyuGin restaurant in Taipei was referring to Blanc de Blancs, made by Weightstone Vineyard Estate & Winery, one of Taiwan’s handful of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3026900/why-hong-kong-connoisseurs-and-michelin-star-chefs-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3026900/why-hong-kong-connoisseurs-and-michelin-star-chefs-are?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Sep 2019 06:00:12 +0000 Africa has become the new frontier for Singapore’s start-up movement as more technology and venture capitalist firms eye the continent’s largely untapped market for the next wave of growth, despite the challenges it presents, experts say. From ride-hailing to e-commerce to trade finance and infrastructure, companies from the city state have in recent years been drawn by the sheer size of the African market of 1.2 billion people, and the opportunities it presents as it seeks to keep pace with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3013442/12-billion-reasons-singapore-tech-firms-think-africa-next-big?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3013442/12-billion-reasons-singapore-tech-firms-think-africa-next-big?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:00:09 +0000 Taiwan is catching up with the “beercation” trend spreading in the United States. Jim & Dad’s, founded by father-son duo in Yilan, Taiwan’s east coast city is located beside a well-traversed highway and shares fresh water from Snow Mountain as its neighbouring Kavalan Whiskey Distillery. The brewers host tours of their 5,000-square-foot facility and offer cosy resting areas for weary visitors to chill out and snack on local cuisine. “We are the first destination craft brewery in Taiwan, meaning... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3010310/fancy-beercation-taiwans-craft-breweries-attract-travellers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3010310/fancy-beercation-taiwans-craft-breweries-attract-travellers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2019 04:00:15 +0000 Taiwan’s beer brewing history dates back to 1919 when the then ruler of Japan established Takasago Malted Beer Company and sold brews as Takasago Beer. Takasago’s successor monopolised the market for decades with light and plain commercial lagers until the country’s accession into the World Trade Organization in 2002 that ended monopoly. Dozens of craft breweries mushroomed, marrying Western craftsmanship with Taiwan’s bounty of agricultural produce from grains, fruits, flours, teas, coffees and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3009707/how-taiwanese-craft-beers-are-finding-fans-asia-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3009707/how-taiwanese-craft-beers-are-finding-fans-asia-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 May 2019 06:00:06 +0000 Every year in Taipei, around 700 males of all ages take to the streets clad in suits in a wide variety of colours, styles, patterns and length for Suit Walk, a celebration of the beauty of masculinity. Some Taiwanese see the event, which started in 2014, as the island’s version of Pitti Uomo, the men’s fashion fair in Italy. “Suit Walk originated from a reunion of suit lovers to share their mutual passion for well-tailored outfits in its early days, but the event has now morphed into a gentle... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3002631/taiwan-suit-walk-celebrates-mens-fashion-700-males-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3002631/taiwan-suit-walk-celebrates-mens-fashion-700-males-all?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:45:10 +0000 As recently as seven or eight years ago, Taiwanese coffee experts would frown at locally produced coffee while conducting a blind cupping, describing them as drinks that “emit unpleasant earthy, musty and iodine flavours”. History has turned over a new leaf. As of today, more than 60 Taiwanese coffees have entered the “Specialty” grade in the internationally recognised coffee quality grading system developed by the Coffee Quality Institute. 5 new hotels that are setting Taipei's skyline... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2182194/move-over-bubble-milk-tea-meet-taiwanese-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2182194/move-over-bubble-milk-tea-meet-taiwanese-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Jan 2019 02:00:15 +0000