Nantou: Jijibanana Jiyuanguo Tourism Factory

[Assessment Validity Period: 2022/06/14~2025/06/13] ◆Inheriting a Delicious Taste: Emperor's Royal Mountain Bananas Blessed with unique climate and soil, Jiji mountain bananas are exceptionally delicious, fragrant and sweet, plump with moisture, and chewy, possessing a unique flavor. In the past, the Japanese Emperor specifically requested Jiji mountain bananas with a label featuring the character '千' (qiān, meaning 'thousand') as a royal tribute. From the 1950s to the 1970s, mountain bananas were extensively exported, not only generating substantial economic revenue but also bringing rich culture and history to the Jiji Branch Line. ◆Unique Natural Geography Mountain bananas are cultivated in hillside areas with an average elevation of over 250 meters. Due to good drainage and large day-night temperature differences, the growth period of mountain bananas is 2-3 times longer than that of lowland bananas. This results in mountain bananas that are particularly fragrant, chewy, and delicious, with firm, non-mushy flesh rich in QQ (chewy) pectin. ◆To Do It, Do It Best and Healthiest Under the guidance of masters, the venture gradually transitioned from amateur to professional, creating the 'Jiyuanguo - Taiwan Dried Fruit' brand. In 2012, the 'Jiji Mountain Banana History and Culture Museum' was established, followed by the 'Jijibanana Jiyuanguo Tourism Factory' in 2016. This integrates mountain bananas with Jiji culture, aiming for visitors to not only savor the products but also reminisce about the early 'Golden Banana Era'.