Chiku Farm Grilled Sweet Potato Introduction
Chuang Yong-chun (born in 1961), a native of Kaohsiung, started selling charcoal-grilled sweet potatoes after being invited by a friend to join the business. He purchased a grill, transferred the technology, and provided information on sweet potato suppliers. He initially sold sweet potatoes in Kaohsiung, and the following year moved back to his wife's family home in Qigu. He began operating like a mobile vendor, setting up stands in places with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and would move when the crowds dispersed. It wasn't until the year after the opening of the 7-11 store in Qigu (1995) that he established a fixed location for sales, only operating on weekends and holidays, while engaging in family subcontracting during other times. Chuang's Charcoal-Grilled Sweet Potatoes are so delicious that customers keep coming back for more, primarily due to the careful selection of sweet potato varieties and the use of special charcoal. The sweet potatoes sold at Qigu Zhuang's vary by season, being categorized into red-fleshed and yellow-fleshed types. The red-fleshed variety is Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute No. 66 from Dadu Mountain, Taichung, available from September to November each year, while the yellow-fleshed variety is No. 57 from Shuilin, Yunlin, available from November to the following June. As for the charcoal, it is made from Taiwanese longan wood, which burns smokelessly, preventing the sweet potato skins from being burned while imparting a rich aroma to the sweet potatoes. After purchasing the sweet potatoes, Chuang cleans and dries them to reduce moisture. When he sets up his stall on weekends and holidays, he trims the ends and places them in the grill for roasting, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes...
