Rice Food Carnival in Front of the Presidential Office: 80 Stalls with Braised Pork Rice, Bowl Rice Cakes, and Rice Donuts to Enjoy

In order to boost the domestic habit of "eating rice," the Council of Agriculture will hold the "Let's Eat Rice Together" Domestic Rice Food Carnival on February 16 and 17 at the North Plaza in front of the Presidential Office. Chen Tien-shou, Deputy Minister of the Council of Agriculture, said that in the 70th year of the Republic of China (1981), the average annual rice consumption per person was about 90 kg, but now it has dropped to 45 kg. He hopes that through this event, Taiwan's agricultural environment, dietary culture, and health knowledge can be introduced to the public, thereby boosting the domestic rice-eating habit.

At the carnival site, there will be DIY experiences, rice product displays and sales, and a "Life of Rice" food and agriculture education exhibition. Nutritionists and head chefs are also invited to dispel the myth of "fearing weight gain and not eating rice," and to share tips on how to cook delicious rice using a home electric rice cooker. The event is both fun and informative, and the public is welcome to participate enthusiastically.

Rice Is Not Just for Filling the Stomach; It Is a Symbol of Culture and Memories

Chen Tien-shou said that in Taiwan, rice is not only a food crop but also a symbol of culture and memories. Eating radish cake during the Spring Festival symbolizes good fortune, eating oily rice after childbirth announces the good news of a full month, and eating tangyuan during the Lantern Festival are all customs everyone shares. This carnival event hopes to bring people all kinds of memories about rice, "passing on a culture and memories filled with happiness to the next generation." It aims to reawaken everyone's love of eating rice, thereby boosting the domestic rice-eating habit.

Beyond being delicious and fun, the event also uses this occasion to provide rice food knowledge and improve food and agriculture education. Relevant agencies within the Council of Agriculture were invited to exhibit the "Life of Rice" exhibition, presenting the growth process of rice and introducing the different distinctive rice varieties from various parts of Taiwan. In addition, it will provide consumers with indicators for purchasing rice, including the nutritional value of rice and how to identify the "Taiwan Rice Mark."

Rice Donuts Are Chewy Like Mochi, Full of Aroma and Delicious

In addition to savory foods, rice can also be made into sweet snacks. The Taoyuan City Young Farmers Association is launching "rice donuts" for the first time! Hu Chen-ping, marketing manager of Taoyuan Babao Farm, said that Babao rice is the Taoyuan No. 3 variety improved by the Taoyuan Agricultural Research and Extension Station. Not only is it full of aroma, but when made into donuts it has a chewy, mochi-like texture. She hopes the government will hold more similar rice food events, and even make it a "tourism festival," which would certainly provide considerable help in promoting domestic rice.

Cheng Yi-chen, contact person for the Taipei City Young Farmers Association stall, said that this is the only stall representing Taipei City at the exhibition. She said, "Everyone is more interested in rice from Hualien and Taitung." She hopes that through this event, people can learn that in addition to its dazzling urban landscape, Taipei City also has a culture of rice cultivation. She said that currently, Taichung No. 11 is being planted in Beitou. This variety has moderate grain size and stickiness, making it suitable for preparing any dish.