TWO VARIETIES OF THE BAIFENG BEAN IN TAIWAN, 1998-09-25 (photo)

The Baifeng bean, which is purported to have anti-cancer properties, is being sold in Taipei markets in two varieties - at very different prices September 25. On the right, is the Taiwan-grown variety, which has skyrocketed 100-fold to about T$5,000 (about $145) per kg from just T$50 (about $1) since a Taiwan nutritionist reported on its special health properties. On the left, is a Baifeng bean imported from Indonesia. Though the two beans are believed be biogenetically equivalent, Taiwan consumers have been unwilling to pay more than the ordinary market price for the Indonesian variety. JKP/TAN/JDP