Sweet Potato Uncle's Kiln Introduction
Leaving behind the novel's depiction of the central plains, kiln baking is actually quite popular in the rural areas of Taiwan. In the past, after the autumn harvest, kiln activities became lively. On one hand, farmers had more free time after the harvest, and after the rice was collected, they could simply plow the soil loose, dry the harder clumps, and use the solid soil blocks to build kilns. Although the standard of living back then did not always allow for土窯 chicken, roasting sweet potatoes and corn was an important entertainment activity for rural children. In today's society, children hardly have experience with kiln baking, and probably very few have even touched mud. Fortunately, Hsinchu County, which emphasizes leisure agriculture, has some farms where kiln baking is available, allowing older adults to relive their childhood experiences while younger ones can get close to the land and create their own kiln baking memories. Typing "kiln baking" into Google search leads you to the top result for Ban Shu Bo Kiln Baking in Beipu. Indeed, Beipu Zhu Yu Tea's Ban Shu Bo Kiln Baking is not only historically rich, but also highly praised for its complete facilities and thoughtful service. Many tourists have shared their experiences at this kiln baking location on their own websites, which explains its top ranking on search engines. Beipu Zhu Yu Tea is located in Nanpu Village, Beipu Township. Heading south along Provincial Highway 3, after passing the lively old street settlement and Daping Creek, you arrive at the tranquil and comfortable Nanpu Village full of rural charm. Known as the "Golden Water Town," Nanpu Village has undergone community cooperation to clean and repair its irrigation channels, continuously supplying the water needed for agriculture, resulting in excellent harvests of rice, citrus, and vegetables. After crossing the 100-Year National Construction Bridge (Nanpu Bridge), you can continue along the farm roads. Depending on the season, different crops can be seen growing alongside the road. After a round of crop identification contests, you finally reach Ban Shu Bo Kiln Baking. Ban Shu Bo is based on a real person, an indigenous farmer who dedicated his life to agriculture and established this leisure farm. Although he is now retired and handed the farm to his son, visitors can still occasionally see him helping out, whether it's making mochi or tending to the kiln fire, warmly welcoming guests with great effort. One of the benefits of visiting Ban Shu Bo Kiln Baking is that the ingredients are prepared, and the kiln is already half-finished. Tourists only need to complete the half-built earthen kiln, watch over the flames during the process, and once the food is placed inside and the kiln is sealed, they need not guard the stove but can participate in other agricultural activities on the farm. One thing that is definitely not lacking in the countryside is straw. Initially, when the staff brought out the straw for crafting, tourists sighed and shook their heads: "This is too hard!" "I can't do it!" But as the staff encouraged visitors with two pieces of straw to slowly follow the steps, even an 80-year-old man and a 6 or 7-year-old child became fully focused on completing their projects. If anyone fell behind, staff members would quickly assist. The seemingly complicated structure of the straw figure could be completed by everyone in less than half an hour. Children cheerfully compared their creations, reminiscent of the children in the era concerned about "who would seize that treasured sword" in the song "Childhood." After completing the straw figure, the staff gathered everyone to help make scarecrows in another open space. Two bundles of straw formed the upper body and a skirt or trousers, plus visitors' own accessories like hats, sunglasses, and handbags, creating a lively scene of modern scarecrows heading off to the rural banquet. If there are enough people, they can even ride a bull cart around town or participate in agricultural experience activities, ensuring everyone enjoys delicious food while fully experiencing the fun of farming. Additionally, across from the farm is Jin Xiu Tang, a historical building constructed by the ancestors of Ban Shu Bo in 1882. Remarkably, all the timber used for this mansion came from the same camphor tree, making it hard to imagine the size of the giant tree that could accomplish such a feat. Interested tourists might consider visiting this ancient house that combines historical value and architectural beauty.
