November 12, 2025 – Changhua, Taiwan
A scoop of Taiwanese pride has just made history in Europe! 🍨🇹🇼
Zhao Yunlan, an artisan ice cream maker from Lukang, Changhua County, has captured the world championship title at the World Ice Cream Competition held in Sicily, Italy. Competing against 50 teams from around the globe, Zhao’s creation — a fusion of Taitung red oolong tea, Changhua honey, and Sicilian oranges — wowed the judges with its delicate balance of Eastern flavor and European flair.
As Zhao and her husband Qiu Jingwei stepped onto the stage to accept the gold medal, they proudly unfurled the Taiwanese flag, declaring with joy, “The Taiwan flag is flying!”
The Flavor That Won the World: “Light of Oolong”
Zhao’s award-winning flavor, aptly named “Light of Oolong,” took nearly six months of preparation. Determined to introduce a distinctly Taiwanese essence to Western palates, she selected Taitung red oolong tea for its deep roasted aroma, paired it with pure honey from her hometown of Changhua, and balanced the taste with fresh Sicilian oranges sourced locally in Italy.
She described the flavor as symbolizing “the light of hope shining through the meeting of East and West.” The judges were reportedly captivated by the originality, aroma, and smooth texture of her creation.
From Lukang to the World Stage
Zhao’s journey to global recognition began years ago when she joined a work exchange program in Australia, where she met her husband, Qiu, a Hong Kong native. Their travels later took them across Europe, where Zhao discovered her passion for Italian gelato.
After returning to Lukang, she opened her own ice cream shop and began experimenting with handcrafted flavors inspired by both Taiwanese ingredients and global techniques. Her dedication quickly paid off:
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🏆 2019: Won the South China Championship at the Shanghai International Handmade Ice Cream Master Competition
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🍨 2023: Became the official ice cream supplier for Taiwan’s state banquets
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🌍 2025: Crowned World Ice Cream Champion, marking a historic first for Taiwan
Bringing the Taste Home
Fresh off her flight from Italy, Zhao announced that her champion flavor, “Light of Oolong,” will be available in Taiwan next week for the public to enjoy.
“Winning this title isn’t just my achievement,” Zhao said. “It’s a victory for all Taiwanese artisans who dream of sharing our flavors with the world.”