Taiwanese farmer's rice and tea win international acclaim at UK's Great Taste Awards

A 30-year-old farmer from Taiwan's Yunlin County has achieved international recognition for his rice and tea products. Chang Chia-ming, who established the "Fu Yun" brand, saw three of his products receive one-star awards at the prestigious UK Great Taste Awards.

The winning products include "Fu Yun" rice, genmaicha (green tea with roasted brown rice), and Alishan genmaicha black tea. These selections were made from over 15,000 entries submitted by producers from 116 countries worldwide. The Great Taste Awards are known for their rigorous judging process, involving 800 international expert judges who evaluate products anonymously based on aroma, flavor, texture, and overall presentation.

Chang Chia-ming, originally from the rice-producing region of Dapi Township, pursued a career in agriculture after graduating from an aviation management program. He returned to his family's farm to enhance his professional knowledge, earning a degree in horticulture from National Chiayi University. During his studies, he analyzed market trends and developed a business plan for direct sales, transforming raw agricultural products into higher-value items.

Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan and other officials visited Chang to congratulate him, highlighting his success as a "light for Taiwan and a light for Yunlin." The county has supported Chang's entrepreneurial journey through its youth entrepreneurship guidance fund. Chang's venture not only promotes Taiwanese rice but also collaborates with other young farmers, particularly from Alishan, to develop innovative tea-based products.