77 Chocolate Republic Introduction
Welcome to the Chocolate Republic located in Bade. The first sight of its exterior resembles a chocolate that has been split in half, oozing rich chocolate syrup. This uniquely designed building is constructed with a significant amount of glass elements, specially created by the team from the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung. It incorporates green energy and environmental concepts, utilizing solar power, a rainwater recycling system, and abundant natural light from the glass façade to reduce electricity consumption, achieving environmental benefits. It won the Golden Award in architecture in 2012. As you step into the Chocolate Republic, explore the essence of chocolate, which you may have enjoyed since childhood—but have you truly understood its ingredients, benefits, and how to choose quality chocolate? Here at the Chocolate Republic, you can unlock this knowledge and learn about the history of cocoa beans, their growing environments, and related information. The museum is divided into indoor and outdoor areas, each with its own rich exhibition features. Inside the museum, real cocoa trees are cultivated, which are quite delicate plants that require specific temperature and humidity levels to thrive. The cocoa greenhouse mimics a small West African farm with a mixed planting approach, allowing visitors to experience the growing environment—with an average annual temperature requirement of 25 to 28°C and humidity at 80 to 90%, only under such rigorous conditions can cocoa trees produce high-quality cocoa beans. Additionally, professional cocoa farmers are invited to check the health of the cocoa trees. Visitors can see cocoa flowers and fruits growing on the branches, completely changing common perceptions of cocoa trees. The outdoor area of the museum features a children's graffiti wall, a tropical flower area, temperate and cold climate tree sections, and a water pond. After playing in the water, you can use a voucher at the nearby pizza shipping container to enjoy take-away drinks and light snacks. Furthermore, don't miss the practical DIY classroom where visitors can follow the steps of pastry chefs to create unique shaped chocolates. Whether with family, friends, or partners, everyone can craft their own cocoa memories.
