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A low-fat strawberry yoghurt ice cream, sold in 2L tubs for under $5 at the supermarket, has been named the best ice cream in New Zealand.

While Much Moore’s strawberry low-fat yoghurt ice cream was named supreme champion at this year’s NZ Ice Cream and Gelato awards, a fancy liquorice gelato was named the boutique supreme winner.

Beating more than 260 entrants, the two were also named Low Fat Ice Cream/Frozen Yoghurt Champion and Gelato Champion, respectively, at the awards in Auckland on Thursday night.

Judges said it was the “great freshness” and “creamy mouthfeel” of the strawberry low-fat yoghurt ice cream that earned it top prize. The family-owned Auckland business has won the highest number of medals at the awards for a second time. It took home 30 last year.

The supreme boutique-winning liquorice gelato – by Takapuna Beach Café on Auckland’s North Shore – boasted “unfaultable texture” and flavour, judges said.

Last year’s supreme boutique champion, Little ‘Lato’s “absolute magic” mango lassi vegan gelato, had judges questioning if it was vegan. It’s done the trick again this year, being named dairy-free champion. The company’s chocolate orange sorbet and pink wafer gelato also picked up trophies.

New Zealand Natural, 2024’s supreme champion, picked up two trophies this year for its chateau peach and raspberry and Killinchy Gold pure vanilla bean ice creams.

Among the 18 champions were unique flavours like Island Gelato’s cucumber and yuzu, spiced Biscoff and green tea.