Qigu Zhuangji Charcoal-Baked Sweet Potato Introduction
Zhuang Yongzhen (born in 1961) is from Kaohsiung. He joined the roasted sweet potato business upon a friend's invitation, purchased a roasting oven, transferred skills, and provided information on sweet potato suppliers, which led to his selling charcoal-roasted sweet potatoes. He initially sold them in Kaohsiung, then moved back to his wife's family home in Qigu the following year. He originally set up as a mobile vendor, relocating to areas with heavy foot and vehicle traffic, and moved again as the crowds dissipated. It wasn't until the opening of the 7-11 store in Qigu a year later (1995) that he established a fixed selling point, operating only on weekends and holidays, while doing family contract work at other times. Zhuang Ji Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potatoes are so delicious that customers keep coming back for more, thanks to the selection of sweet potato varieties and the unique charcoal used. The sweet potatoes from Qigu Zhuang Ji are categorized into red-fleshed and yellow-fleshed types according to the seasonal changes. The red-fleshed sweet potato is the Taichung Dadu Mountain Tainung No. 66, with a harvest period from September to November each year; the yellow-fleshed sweet potato is the Yunlin Shuilin No. 57, harvested from November to June of the following year. As for the charcoal, it is made from Taiwanese longan wood, burning smokelessly, preventing the skin of the sweet potato from being burnt and imparting a rich aroma to the sweet potatoes. After purchasing the sweet potatoes, Zhuang Yongzhen washes and air-dries them to reduce moisture. On weekends and holidays, he cuts off the ends before placing them in the roasting oven, roasting them based on their size...
