Located in Dajia, Taichung, the Ah-Tsung-Shi Taro Culture Museum was founded by the renowned pastry master Wu Chao-tsung and is now managed by the second generation.
Introduction
The iconic purple spiral taro pastry is not just a popular local specialty; it carries a legendary story of rescuing the Dajia taro industry. In 1998, a bumper harvest led to a market price collapse. To help farmers, Ah-Tsung-Shi used the surplus taro to create the Taro Pastry.
This creation eventually won the Gold Medal for Taichung’s Top Ten Souvenirs and was selected as a state banquet snack by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He once said: “If making a pastry can support a field, I will keep doing it”. The museum covers several hundred square feet and features a taro culture exhibition area, DIY classrooms, and a souvenir market.
Characteristics
Grains
The museum’s core philosophy is “Learn by doing, understand by eating”.Visitors can learn about taro cultivation and industrial transformation through professional guides.Guests can hand-make their own taro pastries, experiencing traditional craftsmanship from filling and shaping to baking.
The museum insists on sourcing local ingredients like Dajia Betel Nut Taro, Da’an Scallions, and sweet potatoes to support local agriculture. The museum has obtained the GTS (Great Tasty Sustainable) certification. Notably, the aprons used in the workshops are made from six recycled PET bottles, reducing over 380 grams of carbon emissions per piece.
Information
TEL
+886-4-26713077
Address
No. 168, Xing’an Rd., Da’an Dist., Taichung City 439012, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
