In autumn, visiting Ruisui is not only a chance to soak in hot springs and warm both body and soul, but also an opportunity to savor local specialties such as honey black tea and pomelos. These offerings let travelers slowly appreciate the gentle, comforting flavors unique to Ruisui.
The Perfect Milk Tea Recipe｜Wuhe Honey Black Tea
As autumn arrives, there’s nothing better than enjoying the first cup of milk tea in Hualien. A good milk tea carries a delicate aroma with a lingering honeyed sweetness, and the secret lies in choosing Wuhe black tea. To prepare, brown the raw sugar in a dry pan to release its color, then add fresh milk and bring it to a boil before removing from the heat. With Wuhe honey black tea on hand, you can create at home the perfect milk tea favored by afternoon tea enthusiasts. While in Ruisui, visitors should not miss the golden-colored hot springs, whose warmth rivals Japan’s famous Arima Onsen. For instance, Ruisui Hot Spring Hotel boasts abundant hot spring resources, including charming four-person wooden cottages with spacious interiors. The large bathroom ceilings are fitted with glass panels that let in natural light, allowing guests to fully enjoy the energizing warmth of the golden hot spring water.
INFO｜Ruisui Hot Spring Hotel
Address: No.185, Sec. 3, Wenquan Rd., Ruisui Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8872254
Lavatory: Yes
Reviving Traditional Flavors｜Ruisui Farmers’ Association’s Local Specialties
Hualien has long been committed to sustainable environments and organic agriculture. In Ruisui, naturally grown, additive-free local products are more than food - they carry local sentiment and cultural value. For example, the “Handmade Hegang Pomelo Jam (手工鶴岡文旦柚果醬柚子醬)” uses locally grown Hegang pomelos. The fruit is peeled by hand, then simmered with sugar without adding water to preserve its natural flavor. Pomelo peel and lemon juice are added, retaining the whole fruit’s delicious essence. The jam can be brewed into hot or cold beverages or paired with oil and vinegar to make a pomelo salad dressing suitable for all ages.
Another specialty, “Pomelo Flower Tea Fermented Tofu,” uses fresh pomelo flowers from Ruisui, harvested each spring in March and April. The flowers are smoked together with local tea leaves, allowing their fragrance to deeply infuse the tea. This tea is then combined with traditional fermented tofu, resulting in a silky-smooth delicacy that fills the mouth with the gentle yet lingering aroma of pomelo flowers. The subtle, savory taste perfectly balances the floral notes, creating a layered and rich flavor experience that earned it first place in the pickled category of the 2024 Hualien Good Sauce Awards.
INFO｜Ruisui Farmers’ Association Supermarket
Address: No. 126, Sec. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Ruisui Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8870897
Business hours: 07:45-21:00
Lavatory: Yes