Dahu Strawberry Cultural Center Introduction
When people think of Dahu, the first thing that comes to mind is strawberries. Their vibrant red color and sweet taste bring a delightful flavor that fills tasters with sweet happiness. Strawberries are the main economic crop of Dahu, with the peak production season running from November to April of the following year. This "golden period" for strawberries consistently attracts countless visitors to experience the joy of strawberry picking. As a result, Dahu Township has developed many strawberry-related products, leading to the establishment of the Strawberry Cultural Museum. The first floor of the museum is a display area selling various strawberry souvenirs and agricultural products. The second and third floors introduce the ecology of strawberries and the history of strawberry development in Dahu. The fourth floor features a restaurant that incorporates strawberries into its dishes, offering unique strawberry-based cuisine. The fifth floor is an aerial garden with strawberry-shaped gazebos and flower beds, providing a scenic view of the surrounding beauty. Adjacent to it, the leisure winery has developed strawberry fruit wine, strawberry ice cream, strawberry cake, and more, bringing visitors a fresh taste experience that has captivated many food lovers. A little story about strawberries: In Taiwan, Dahu is synonymous with strawberries and is well-known as the "Home of Strawberries." However, the first place to cultivate strawberries in Taiwan was not Dahu but Yangmingshan. As early as 1934, the Japanese began to experiment with strawberry cultivation at Yangmingshan, but due to its poor antibacterial properties, it was not planted on a large scale. In 1957, a Dahu resident, Lai Yun-tian, visited a relative's house, became interested in this emerging crop, and the following year bought seedlings with other farmers to grow in Dahu. This marked the beginning of Dahu's strawberry-growing history. The basin topography and significant temperature differences between day and night in Dahu create ideal conditions for strawberry growth. Through the hard work of farmers, its fame gradually expanded. In 1979, the "Shungikou" variety was introduced from Japan. Since it could be harvested as early as December, had a high yield, large fruit size, and excellent quality, it was favored by farmers. The area cultivated with strawberries increased year by year, and a few years later, the first strawberry-picking tourism farm opened, gaining instant fame and becoming the best example of the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism.
