Discovery Series Ornament – Taiwan

I am lucky to have a friend who travels a lot and sends me these. It would be much harder to get them otherwise. Starbucks released six ornaments for the “Formosa,” and I have them all!

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Taiwan features a compact selection of symbols highlighting the island’s landscapes, wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor activities. Taiwan’s history has been shaped by its Indigenous peoples as well as periods of Dutch, Spanish, Qing, Japanese, and Republic of China rule. The island is also remarkably mountainous, with its rugged interior rising sharply from the densely populated coastal plains.

– Cycling has become a popular way to explore Taiwan, from urban bike paths to challenging mountain routes. The island’s varied terrain allows cyclists to travel along the coast, through rural areas, and into the mountains, while the approximately 600-mile (960-kilometer) Cycling Route No. 1 provides a well-known circuit around much of Taiwan.

– The green sea turtle represents the rich marine life found in the waters surrounding Taiwan and its offshore islands. Green turtles can be encountered around places such as Xiaoliuqiu and Penghu, which also provide important nesting habitat. The species is protected in Taiwan, and conservation efforts focus on protecting both the turtles and their coastal habitats.

– The large pineapple is a reference to one of Taiwan’s best-known agricultural products. The island’s warm subtropical and tropical climate provides excellent conditions for growing the fruit, which is eaten fresh and used in juices, desserts, and preserves. Pineapple is also the key ingredient in Taiwan’s famous pineapple cakes, a popular pastry and souvenir.

– The white flowers appear to be the Taiwan lily (Lilium formosanum), a species native to the island. Its distinctive trumpet-shaped white flowers have reddish-brown markings along the outside and can be found from lowland areas all the way into the mountains at elevations approaching 9,800 feet (3,000 meters).

– The towering mountain on the back of the ornament appears to represent Yushan, or Jade Mountain, the highest mountain in Taiwan. Its main peak reaches 12,966 feet (3,952 meters) above sea level and forms the centerpiece of Yushan National Park. The mountain is one of Taiwan’s most recognizable natural landmarks and a major destination for hikers and mountaineers.