Taiwanese Rice Culture

Rice is the main staple food of the Han people in Taiwan and is widely used and consumed. It exhibits versatility and diversity in daily life, seasonal customs, and life ceremonies, making rice an important part of Taiwanese lives until now

(1) Rice As the Staple Food of The Chinese. It Was Brought to Taiwan by Immigrants.
According to historical records, the Chinese have been cultivating rice for over 5,000 years. Rice, being the staple food of the Chinese, has a long history of nurturing our country. Chinese people, in accordance with the changes in solar terms, have developed a continuous cycle of seasonal festivals, during which various rice-based cakes and pastries are made based on traditional customs. These are offered to honor the Gods, ancestors, and seek for blessings, enriching the lives of hardworking individuals throughout the year and further integrating with life ceremonies and seasonal festivals.

(2) Lukang, The Largest Rice Warehouse in Central Taiwan During The Qing Dynasty.
During the Qing Dynasty, the Han immigrants came to Taiwan for cultivation. In 1709, Shi Shibang invested in the construction of the "Babao Canal," which became the largest-scale water conservancy project in Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. After the completion of the Babao Canal, the Changhua Plain transformed from a deer field into the largest rice granary in central Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. Lukang also rose to become a large port second only to Tainan Fucheng, exporting large quantities of rice to China.

(3) Early Taiwanese Snacks Were Mostly Made from Rice
“Snacks" usually refer to foods consumed during busy agricultural periods to replenish energy in rural farming households. They are mainly savory foods to replenish energy expended during physical labor. However, sweet snacks like pastries are also consumed occasionally during festivals or leisure time. The urbanite or rich families typically enjoy a wider variety of snacks when hosting guests or during leisure time. Regardless of the type of snack, rice is mostly used as the main ingredient, including rice-based cakes, pastries made from rice paste, and rice flour-based snacks.

Therefore, rice-based snacks retain a sense of tradition and simplicity. Among rice-based desserts, the most common and widespread are cakes, which are like biscuits in Western desserts. They are dry and easy to preserve, making them the king of snacks for children. To soothe a child, just give them a piece of cake to munch on.