TOP 1 Coffee Farm – Meishan, Chiayi

Region: Meishan Township, Chiayi County

Altitude: 1,200m

Varietal & Process: Arabica, Honey Washed

A Farm at the Crossroads of Heritage and Innovation

Perched at 1,200 meters above sea level on the western slopes of Taiwan’s central mountain range, TOP 1 Coffee Farm is part of a new wave of specialty coffee producers redefining Meishan’s agricultural identity. While the region has long been known for its high-elevation oolong tea and longan orchards, coffee is fast becoming a complementary — and celebrated — crop.

Here, the tea-farming tradition of precision and patience is now applied to coffee, resulting in beans that are as meticulously cultivated as they are complex in flavour.

Microclimate & Terrain: A Natural Advantage

Despite an unusually warm and dry season, December visits to the farm revealed healthy growth and rich green canopies. Even at high elevation, daily highs exceeded 30°C, and the limited rainfall made water management crucial. Fortunately, Taiwan’s world-class infrastructure allows even remote farms like this one to remain accessible and resilient.

Facing east, the farm enjoys gentle morning sun, which promotes slow and even cherry development, enhancing sugar content and clarity in the cup. The surrounding valleys and ridge-lines create a diverse and fertile terroir that contributes to the signature flavour of Meishan coffee.

Crafted with Tradition and Curiosity

With roots in local agriculture and years of coffee experience, the family behind TOP 1 Coffee Farm has built a reputation for quality and innovation. They’ve expanded steadily over the past decade, working alongside experts from Taiwan and abroad to refine both their cultivars and processing methods.

Their primary method, honey wash, strikes a balance between clean fruit expression and sweetness, while natural drying and water-washing trials add variety and complexity to their offerings.

Set amidst cultivated tea plots above 1,000m, the orderly rows of coffee trees mark a new chapter in Meishan's story — one of diversification, sustainability, and global taste appeal.

Flavour Profile

The honey-washed Arabica from TOP 1 Coffee Farm is roasted light to showcase its vibrant character. Expect juicy tropical fruit acidity, smooth notes of peach, and a butter cream mouthfeel, rounded off with a touch of brown sugar sweetness. This coffee is ideal for pour-over or filter methods, offering a clean yet indulgent cup.

Looking Ahead: Coffee’s Place in Meishan’s Future

As Taiwan’s tea farmers explore new directions, coffee has emerged as a natural extension of their craft — requiring similar care, elevation, and terroir-driven thinking. Farms like TOP 1 are not only preserving their land but elevating its potential, drawing on decades of agricultural knowledge and channeling it into the next generation of Taiwanese specialty coffee.

At DOU Taiwan Coffee, we’re proud to present this origin as one of Meishan’s finest. It’s more than coffee — it’s a collaboration between tradition, terroir, and transformation.