Taiwan has developed immensely over the several decades since Japanese occupation ended, often referenced as one of the Four Asian Tigers. The country is now better known for bubble tea & soup dumplings than for a raging fine food culture, but it's there, bubbling under the surface (if you'll pardon the pun). Taiwanese chocolate and whiskey are on the upswing, and have been winning awards for the last few years.

As a tropical island, Taiwan is actually suitable to grow tea, coffee, and cacao, as well as sugar cane. It's got all the ingredients for the perfect chocolate bar, right at its treetops. But that pesky economic development seems to be putting the cost of agriculture a little too high for locals. At least, for now. Today's episode is a look at how Taiwanese locals are bringing tree to bar chocolate to the public, and what's holding them back from producing more.

To read an article version of this episode, click here.

Show notes: https://damecacao.com/chocolate-on-the-road-taiwan/

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