TAIPEI, TAIWAN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) hosted the ATO Lantern Festival lighting event here last month, where U.S. rice was used to prepare rice cakes and Snow Q pastries (a popular Taiwanese, low-sugar, nougat-based treat) for on-site distribution. The Lantern Festival marks the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
The event attracted many visitors, including Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and Chiang Wan-An, the mayor of Taipei, who visited the USA Rice booth to taste the specialty snacks made with U.S. rice and interact with fellow attendees enjoying the celebration and treats.
“Visitors experienced the lively and joyful atmosphere of the Lantern Festival while learning more about the versatility and quality of U.S. rice in a wide range of dishes and desserts,” said Rosaline Chen, USA Rice’s contractor based in the country who helped organize the event. “The activity added excitement to the celebration and created a memorable experience for participants while highlighting the unique characteristics and appeal of U.S. rice.”
Taiwan is the fourth largest export market for U.S. medium grain, bringing in more than $27 million last year.