Qigu Zhuangji Charcoal Grilled Sweet Potatoes Introduction
Zhuang Yongzhen (born in 1961), a native of Kaohsiung, joined the roasted sweet potato business at the invitation of a friend. He purchased a roasting oven, transferred his skills, and provided information about sweet potato suppliers. By chance, he began selling charcoal-grilled sweet potatoes, first selling them in Kaohsiung, and the following year moved back to his wife's family home in Qigu. Initially, he operated like a mobile vendor, setting up in areas with large crowds and traffic, and relocating once the crowds dispersed. It wasn't until the 7-11 store in Qigu opened in the following year (1995) that he established a fixed location, selling only on weekends and holidays, while doing family subcontracting during the rest of the week. Zhuang Ji Charcoal-Grilled Sweet Potatoes are so delicious that customers keep coming back for more. The secret lies in the selection of sweet potato varieties and the unique charcoal. The sweet potatoes at Qigu Zhuang Ji are categorized into red-fleshed and yellow-fleshed varieties based on seasonal changes. The red-fleshed sweet potatoes are Tainung No. 66 from Dadu Mountain in Taichung, available from September to November each year; the yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes are No. 57 from Shuilin in Yunlin, available from November to June of the following year. As for the charcoal, it is made from longan wood sourced from Taiwan, which burns without smoke and prevents the sweet potato skins from burning while imparting a rich aroma to the sweet potatoes. After purchasing the sweet potatoes, Zhuang Yongzhen cleans and air-dries them...
