The “Impression Chocolate Workshop” has eight years of expertise in cultivating cocoa trees (Theobroma, meaning “food of the gods”). With cocoa available for harvest all-year-round, and the dwarf cocoa trees allowing people a closer look, visitors can make bookings for guided tours of the plantation whenever they please.
Introduction
The cocoa (chocolate) industry shines brightly within Taiwan’s agricultural landscape. Most of Taiwan’s cocoa-producing regions are nestled in the south, but in the water-rich township of Nantou, central Taiwan, lies the “Impression Chocolate Workshop” owned by the dedicated couple Zhang Yuhua and her husband. Since 2015, under expert guidance and a commitment to organic cultivation, they have successfully nurtured nearly 200 cocoa trees on a quarter-acre of land, establishing themselves as the most representative example of cocoa cultivation in central Taiwan. In 2020, they expanded their endeavors to include greenhouse cultivation of vanilla pods on an additional 1/5 acre of land. Around January and February during the Lunar New Year each year, when the enticing aroma of vanilla pods are wafting through the air, countless passing tourists find themselves captivated by the scent.
Growing cocoa in central Taiwan presents a myriad of challenges, necessitating careful management of environmental factors and the incurring of higher costs. Adequate water supply without waterlogging, optimal sunlight without excessive heat, and protection from cold and winds are among the primary considerations. Moreover, organic practices prohibit the use of pesticides,thereby demanding meticulous manual labor for tasks ranging from fruit and branch thinning, weed control, pest management, to harvesting. Finally, 70% to 100% purity chocolates and an assortment of chocolate products are produced.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Coco
Growing cocoa in central Taiwan presents a myriad of challenges, necessitating careful management of environmental factors and the incurring of higher costs. Adequate water supply without waterlogging, optimal sunlight without excessive heat, and protection from cold and winds are among the primary considerations. Moreover, organic practices prohibit the use of pesticides,thereby demanding meticulous manual labor for tasks ranging from fruit and branch thinning, weed control, pest management, to harvesting. Finally, 70% to 100% purity chocolates and an assortment of chocolate products are produced.
Chocolate and vanilla are both popular and commonly consumed ingredients, yet few have witnessed the true essence of cocoa and vanilla. The cocoa and vanilla pods cultivated at the “Impression Chocolate Workshop” represent a burgeoning frontier in agriculture. Coupled with nearby tourist attractions such as Jiji Train Station, the Green Tunnel, Checheng Wood Industry Leisure Park, or Dongpu Hot Springs, Xinyi Windmills, and Sun Moon Lake, your excursion promises to be nothing short of exhilarating.
Information
TEL
+886-928 919 893
Address
No.150-8, Linpeng Ln., Shuili Township, Nantou County 553, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
