UNIQUELY TAIWANESE
Kuma showcases Taiwan's finest
About Taiwan
Taiwan's island magic enchants the senses.
In the heart of East Asia lies Taiwan, a beautiful island of contrasts. In the bustling metropolis of Taipei, tradition meets modernity as towering skyscrapers rub shoulders with ancient temples. Along the dramatic cliffs of Taroko Gorge, mountains kiss the sea - hikers can travel from coastal cliffs through canyons to high elevation forests. No matter where you look, people from all walks of life bond over the same food ranging from local delicacies at night markets to international cuisine at world-class restaurants. Much like throughout history, visitors today are drawn to Taiwan for its mystery, and stay for the warmth of its people whose hospitality is as boundless as the ocean that surrounds her.
Hand distilled using Taiwanese botanicals
Kuma Gin showcases a selection of Taiwan's finest flavors and aromas.
Taiwan Pomelo
The Taiwan Pomelo is traditionally associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each year, the fruits are harvested and sold out weeks in advance of the Festival. Their delicate, subtle citrus aroma is highly sought after. Kuma sources Taiwan Pomelos directly from a farmer in Tainan, who produces a limited quantity of the most highly prized variety on their family estate.
Prickly Ash
The prickly ash is a medicinal herb indigenous to Taiwan's mountains. In ancient China, it was listed as one of the "three spices" along pepper and ginger. Today, it is widely used in indigenous Taiwanese cuisines as well as in traditional Chinese medicine to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
Oolong Tea
The world's finest oolong teas come from Taiwan. Kuma's oolong tea is ethically and sustainably grown, without chemicals and pesticides. Each year, the tea leaves are handpicked and roasted by farmers to bring out its light, smooth, and iconic sweet flavor.
Maqaw
Maqaw is indigenous to Taiwan and used as a core ingredient by Taiwan's Atayal tribe. Traditionally foraged and dried in the mountains, Maqaw is prized both for its gastronomic and medicinal functions. It is known for its unique flavor, resembling a smooth blend of pepper, ginger, and lemon.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is regarded as one of the most culturally significant classical flowers in Chinese history. Not only does it portray aesthetic values, but it is an important culinary ingredient and anti-inflammatory medicinal herb. The chrysanthemum has a naturally sweet and mildly earthy flavor.
Bamboo Ginger
The bamboo ginger is a prized ginger variety native to Taiwan. It is thinner, more fibrous and spicier than ordinary ginger. Bamboo ginger needs to be naturally dried in the soil for two years before it can be harvested. After that, other plants must be rotated before bamboo ginger can be planted again.
Perilla
Perilla stems, leaves, and seeds are all commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and Asian cuisines. Kuma uses the stems and leaves of perilla harvested and dried in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Mugwort
The Taiwanese Mugwort is a staple for Taiwan's Hakka people. In olden times, the Hakka believed that eating mugwort could remove dirt and filth. During tomb sweeping day, they would eat mugwort and offer mugwort to their ancestors.
Angelica Sinensis
Angelica sinensis, also known as Dong Quai or female ginseng, is a medicinal plant native to Taiwan, Japan and Korea with roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, it is prized for its ability to improve circulation and cardiovascular health.
Angelica Root
For centuries, archangelica, also known as angelica archangelica has been cultivated around the world as a vegetable and medicinal plant. It has also been widely used in cooking and liquor distillation, bringing its characteristic pervading aromatic odor and pleasant perfume making it a signature botanical for balanced gins.
Juniper Berry
At Kuma, our gin begins with the finest juniper berries. Through careful selection and collaboration with local importers, we found that the tiny dark blue berries from Macedonia provide the perfect aromatic base for Kuma gin. Quality juniper berries are essential for crafting exceptional gin, and at Kuma, we ensure only the best make it into our bottles.
Coriander Seed
Coriander seed is one of the oldest spices on record, native to the Mediterranean and Asia. The toasty and fragrant seeds have a warm, spicy and citrusy aroma , significantly different from the flavor of the cilantro plant that it fruited from.
Local Production
From the selected Taiwanese potato base to the locally sourced botanicals and exquisite handblown glass bottles, Kuma Gin embodies a commitment to supporting local production. Each bottle offers exceptional Taiwanese quality and contributes directly to the local economy.
A Gin Distilled in Taoyuan
Kuma Gin is distilled and bottled by hand in Taoyuan, alongside a selection of traditional local liquors. Kuma Gin's initial batches were honed under the guidance of master distiller Philibert Gandy, blending international expertise with local flavor to create a truly exceptional spirit.
Handblown Bottles Crafted in Hsinchu
Crafted with care in the coastal city of Hsinchu, Kuma Gin's bottle embodies sustainability and tradition. Handblown by skilled local artisans using 100% recycled glass, each bottle reflects a commitment to both environmental responsibility and exquisite craftsmanship that is uncommon for Gin bottles.
Designers from Taichung & Taipei
Kuma proudly joined forces with renowned designers from Taichung and Taipei to develop its identity, championing local creativity to craft a brand that embodies Taiwan's vibrant cultural spirit.
Our Commitments
Being True to Taiwan
In our journey, we will stay dedicated to Kuma's Taiwanese origins through always prioritizing local partnerships and brand collaborations. In doing so, we're not only fostering the local economy but also ensuring a healthier planet through a shorter supply chain.
Building Bridges
Leveraging on our diverse background spanning continents, we are committed for Kuma to be an international brand. Each market is an opportunity to make the unique Taiwanese cultural story more widely known.
Excellence
Kuma is committed to a relentless pursuit of excellence, crafting each bottle with precision and passion to showcase Taiwan's finest. Our commitment to quality not only seeks to push the established boundaries in the ultra-premium gin market segment, but also to shine a radiant light on Taiwan's rich heritage throughout the world.
Sustainability
At Kuma, sustainability isn't simply a goal – it's a way of life. Our commitment is to minimize our impact on the planet everywhere possible. This is exemplified by our production processes. From using 100% recycled materials for our glass bottles to harnessing electricity-powered distillation and clever algorithms to reduce energy consumption, we take every possible step to minimize our impact.
