
Traditional Bunun cereal crop revitalized
Taiwan oil millet is a unique cereal crop traditionally grown by the Bunun people. Unfortunately, as diet Westernized and the crop’s economic value remained low, it nearly became extinct. But Wuling Village in Taitung’s Yanping Township invested in a restoration plan. After 11 years, Taiwan oil millet is finally being harvested again. Now tourists can enjoy foods made from oil millet and the Bunun tribe’s culinary culture is being passed on.
This sweet potato jam next to the bagels is sprinkled with red and white grains, not only adding to its presentation, but also increasing its nutritional value. The grains are red quinoa, which is high in protein, and Taiwan oil millet, which is known as the crop of the future.
Chiu Chih-wei
Wuling resident
It has lot of Omega-3, Omega-9, and squalene, and is supported by plant-based fish liver oil, which makes it great for planting in our village. It’s also resistant to drought and floods.
Passing down their traditional foods, the Bunun tribe makes all kinds of delicious food using Taiwan oil millet.
Tourist
The ingredients are natural, not overly processed. It has a flavor you can’t experience elsewhere, and its ingredients are unique.
Biung Wang
Singer
What I am eating now is oil millet risotto with foxtail millet and red quinoa. It’s a very healthy dish made from grains.
Although it’s now regaining popularity, Taiwan oil millet disappeared for over 60 years. As diet Westernized and its economic value remained low, it was nearly forgotten. But in 2012, Academia Sinica made a plan to domesticate wild oil millet. After 11 years of searching, researching, and selecting varieties, the crop was finally revived in Taitung’s Wuling Village. Biung Wang, a Bunun singer and Golden Melody Award winner, hopes that this food will be integrated into daily life.
Biung Wang
Singer
We hope to return to the Bunun people’s original way of life, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and then revive and share our culture from this foundation. This way, young people will understand what previous generations ate and follow in their footsteps.
Chiu Chih-wei
Wuling resident
There was an elder in our village who was always searching for the flavor of his childhood. He was searching for Taiwan oil millet. When we finally found it, we learned that he passed away a month earlier. So, we say this grain has the taste of memory in the hopes that it will bring back the grains from our early days.
After spending years rediscovering their traditional ingredient, now anyone can experience the unique flavors of Bunun cuisine.
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2024-08-09