Taipei: Taichung-based jam maker Kudamono Danshi has achieved significant recognition by securing one of the three Double Gold awards at the annual United Kingdom-based Dalemain World Marmalade Awards. The company’s grapefruit marmalade with dried smoked longan gin stood out at the Artisan Competition, part of the World’s Original Marmalade Awards and Festival.

According to Focus Taiwan, Kudamono Danshi’s triumph was complemented by two other Double Gold awards. The Double Gold Traditional Winner was awarded to the Single Variety Co. from the U.K. for its lemon marmalade, while the Double Gold International Winner went to Japan’s Gela 319, also for its lemon marmalade.

The Taichung brand was established by Teng Sheng-chiang and Chung Wen-ping. While Teng has extensive experience in the food industry, Chung transitioned from a sales career to catering management. Chung expressed pride in showcasing Taiwan’s flavors globally with their recent win.

Kudamono Danshi’s grapefruit marmalade with dried smoked longan gin not only achieved Double Gold status but also received two gold accolades. In total, the brand brought home 14 awards, including three silver, six bronze, and two “Highly Recommended” recognitions. The awards were for various products, including grapefruit and orange marmalade, ginger kumquat marmalade, lightly tipsy tropical marmalade, fremont tangerine marmalade, tropical marmalade, and navel orange marmalade with Taiwan makauy.

Taiwan’s participation in the event was notable, with over 3,000 entries and approximately 200 from Taiwan in the Artisan Competition. Beatrice Hasell-McCosh, the awards’ director, highlighted that Taiwan received 69 accolades, with Kudamono Danshi contributing 14 of these.

Kaohsiung’s Liu Yen-wen, owner of Honeybee Jam, garnered one gold, three silver, and eight bronze awards. Her sweet orange and yuzu marmalade was the gold winner. Liu began participating in the competition in 2022, following the establishment of Honeybee Jam in 2016, inspired by the positive reception of her non-additive jams.

Another Taiwanese gold winner was the roselle grapefruit citrus marmalade by Magic Friends from Chiayi. Company founder Ko Po-jen revealed that perfecting his award-winning jam took three years.

The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards’ main sponsor is Fortnum and Mason, a department store established in 1707. Accolade-winning brands have the opportunity to feature their marmalades in the sponsor’s stores.