Zhushan, Nantou
In the rolling hills of Nantou, Taiwan, you will find some of the northernmost outdoor cacao farms in the world. Here in Zhushan Township, the husband-and-wife team behind Siwei Chocolate 思惟巧克力工坊, Cheng Hung Lin and Yi Wen Chen, tend to their cacao plots with passion, care, and a deep respect for the surrounding environment.
"Come in! Come in! The store is open, and you look like you could really use some air conditioning!" That was how Mr. Lin welcomed us when we first visited in 2024. Warm-hearted yet full of energy, she ushered me inside to escape the heat.
How did we get to the Zhushan Township? It took more than four and half hours of different bus rides from Olivia's home base in Tongshi, a small town in central Taiwan. Although it was only early April, the combination of heat, sweat, and ruthless little black mosquitoes was not too lovely.
When we asked about the story of the cacao farm, turned out that it was a deep act of love!
Years ago, Mrs. Lin had a heart condition that sometimes she would lost consciousness without any warning. The doctor's advice? Good quality 100% dark chocolate might help.
And so, her son, Cheng Hung Lin, decided to purchase a piece of land and started growing cacao from seedlings in 2014. What began as a filial love for his Mother grow into a remarkable journey!
The husband and wife team Cheng Hung LIn (first generation cacao farmer) and Yi Wen Chen (chocolate maker) are the founders of Siwei Chocolate 思惟巧克力工坊. The cacao farm sits around 24°N latitude, where its microclimate pushes the geographical boundary of global cacao cultivation.
It is a lot of blood, sweat and tears to learn everything on their own, from tending the farm, fermenting the beans, to chocolate making. In 2021, they qualified to enter the Cacao of Excellence competition. In the 2025 Cacao of Excellence Awards, they were among the Best 50 Producers in the world and earned a Bronze medal of the Asia and the Pacific region.
We are incredibly grateful to work with Mr. Lin and to bring these special Nantou cacao beans into our chocolate-making collaboration with Kasama Chocolate in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Every bar carries a little piece of their journey.
Another lovely thing about Mr. Lin's natural farming practices? The farm has become a welcoming place for local wildlife, including birds and snakes!
The white-rumped shama (長尾四喜), is particularly charming. With a glossy black plumage, a chestnut-coloured belly, and distinctive white feathers on its rump and outer tail, this beautiful songbird has been visiting the cacao farm in pairs.
Feeding on insects around the farm, they seem to follow the farmers as they go about their work. Perhaps they have become regular little farm companions!
Curious about what happened afterwards? Stay tuned!