Taiwanese artisan wins 'world's best gelato' title in Italy

Rome, Nov. 11 (CNA) Taiwanese gelato maker Sylvia Chao (趙韻嵐) from Changhua County, central Taiwan, has won first prize at the Sherbeth International Artisan Gelato Festival in Italy, organizers announced on Facebook Tuesday.

Chao took the top honor with her creation "Luce d'Oolong" (Light of Oolong), a delicate blend inspired by Taiwan's oolong tea, according to the annual festival held in Palermo, Sicily, from Nov. 7-10.

It marks the first time the award has gone to Taiwan, with Italian newspaper la Repubblica describing Chao's gelato as "a balance of floral and mineral notes that impressed both the judges and the public."

Currently in its 17th edition, the Sherbeth competition attracted 50 gelato artisans from around the world who showcased innovative flavors and high-quality artisanal techniques.

According to la Repubblica, which ran the headline "The world's best gelato? It's made by a Taiwanese artisan," Chao's win is both a milestone for Taiwan and a reflection of the festival's growing international reach.

Chao, who runs Mountain in Blue Gelato on Lukang's historic old street in Changhua, is known for using local ingredients to create distinctive flavors. Her gelato was also featured at Taiwan's 2023 National Day reception and served to foreign dignitaries.