(中央社訊息服務20261107 12:24:46)The 2026 Taiwan Coffee Festival will kick off on October 31. The Yunlin County Government held a press conference on October 21 at the KU COFFEE in Janfusun Fancyworld to give a sneak peek at the highlights of this year's event. Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) said that the 24th Taiwan Coffee Festival, under the theme "Colorful World," brings together 170 brands from Taiwan and abroad. The festival focuses on two major highlights: the "Coffee Forum" and "Yunlin Champion Coffee Showcase," and features international exchanges with Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam, four themed days, and the "Central Taiwan Coffee Map" connecting the five counties and cities. Through an array of activities, the festival showcases the industrial strength and cultural charm of Taiwan's coffee industry, launching a coffee extravaganza that starts from Yunlin and connects with the world.
Chang pointed out that the first Taiwan Coffee Festival was held in Janfusun Fancyworld, Gukeng, Yunlin in 2003. Now in its 24th year, the Taiwan Coffee Festival has not only witnessed the development of the Gukeng coffee industry but also carries the stories accumulated by the local community. From its initial roots in Gukeng to its gradual expansion nationwide and international integration, the Taiwan Coffee Festival has become an important tourism and industry brand for Yunlin. The press conference’s theme, "24 Extraordinary Coffee Years: A Global Gathering," symbolizes looking back at the starting point of the coffee festival and expanding city connections and international exchanges. The aim is to showcase the strength and value of Yunlin coffee through the participation of 170 brands, attracting coffee professionals, industry players, and enthusiasts from home and abroad to gather and exchange ideas, and creating more opportunities for cooperation in Taiwan's coffee industry.
Chang further stated that this year's festival features two main highlights: the "Coffee Forum" and the "Yunlin Champion Coffee Showcase." From tasting the flavors of the coffee to exchanging industry experiences, the festival offers a deeper exploration of Yunlin coffee. The "Coffee Forum" brings together domestic and international coffee industry professionals to exchange ideas on topics such as regional development, quality improvement, and market cooperation. It aims to promote experience sharing and collaboration, enhancing the competitiveness and international visibility of Taiwan's coffee industry. The "Yunlin Champion Coffee Showcase" focuses on the excellent coffee from Yunlin and the dedication of its producers, allowing consumers to understand the cultivation, processing, and flavor characteristics behind a good cup of coffee.
The press conference coincided with the grand opening of the KU COFFEE at Janfusun Fancyworld, adding a new highlight to the coffee tourism in Gukeng Township. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was jointly officiated by Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan, Deputy County Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya, Janfusun Fancyworld Corp. Chairman Yu I-hsien, and other guests. Chang expressed his gratitude to Janfusun for its long-term support of Taiwan Coffee in Gukeng, noting that the opening of the KU COFFEE demonstrates the company's determination to continue investing in Yunlin's coffee and tourism industries.
Tseng Ching-tsuan, General Manager of Janfusun Fancyworld, said that the KU COFFEE, with coffee culture at its core, integrates spatial aesthetics and a relaxing experience to create a unique venue that combines coffee appreciation, cultural exchange, and tourist appeal. With the official opening of the space, not only is a new coffee culture landmark added to Gukeng, but visitors can also learn about coffee culture in more diverse ways. Tseng added that as people aged 50 and above now account for 25% of Taiwan's population, Janfusun Fancyworld has launched the "50+ Coffee Ticket" to cater to this demographic. From now until December 30, during weekdays, visitors can enjoy a NT$199 admission fee and a NT$100 voucher for KU COFFEE.
Deputy Magistrate Hsieh said that this year's coffee festival features coffee brands from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan, as well as KU COFFEE, the grandest and the most atmospheric coffee shop in Taiwan. Through the festival, she invites the public to visit the largest outdoor coffee shop in the world at the Gukeng Green Tunnel.
Acting Director of the Agriculture Department, Tsai Keng-yu, said that this year's Coffee Festival further expanded international exchanges, inviting coffee brands from Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam to participate. Through the exchange and interaction between local and international brands, visitors can gain an understanding of diverse coffee cultures and industry operators can learn from each other, share techniques, and expand markets. This gradually builds a platform connecting producers, brands, and the consumer market, allowing Taiwanese coffee to connect with the international community.
In addition to coffee tastings and industry exchanges, this year's festival features four themed days, focusing on music, camping, motorcycle, and family, allowing coffee to permeate different life scenarios. Whether you're a music and coffee enthusiast, an outdoor traveler, a motorcyclist, or a family, you can find your own coffee time in Gukeng and experience the infinite possibilities of coffee integrating into daily life, making every coffee festival trip full of surprises and memories.
This year, in conjunction with the Taiwan Coffee Festival, the Gukeng Township Office launched a series of activities under the theme "Gukeng's True Colors," including the Huashan Literary Trail, Hi-Coffee Night, Gukeng coffee promotion, and a coffee-hunting micro-trip. They also collaborated with local coffee production and marketing groups to create a "Gukeng Featured Coffee Estates," showcasing the diverse aspects of Gukeng's coffee industry. Gukeng Township Mayor Lin Hui-ru expressed her hope that these activities will highlight the unique charm of Gukeng's mountainous landscape and coffee industry, helping people to gain better understanding of the heritage and brand characteristics of Gukeng coffee, and continuously enhancing Gukeng's reputation as the "Hometown of Taiwanese Coffee."
Furthermore, this year's coffee festival extends its reach from Yunlin to the greater central Taiwan region, connecting coffee shops in five counties and cities—Taichung, Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi—to launch the "Central Taiwan Coffee Map." Through digital stamp collection, the public is encouraged to explore coffee shops and surrounding attractions in the region. This initiative extends the coffee festival experience from the event venue to cities and production areas, promoting cross-county tourism and business exchanges.
The 2026 Taiwan Coffee Festival will be held on October 31, November 1, November 7, and November 8 at the Gukeng Green Tunnel. Chang extends her invitation to people from all over the country to visit the festival, experience the intertwined coffee culture of Yunlin and other regions, and follow "Colorful World."
For more information about the event, please visit the official Facebook page and website of the Taiwan Coffee Festival.
