# Collaboration Candy Frozen Treats The Alpenliebe x Meilun Ice Cream Series is Arriving in China By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2026-04-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alpenliebe-x-meilun References: [dairyfoods](https://www.dairyfoods.com/articles/99042-perfetti-van-melle-brand-partners-with-mellun-to-launch-ice-creams-in-china)  The Alpenliebe x Meilun ice cream series is a new lineup of frozen treats being launched in China as a series of dessert items that leverage the prowess of both brands. The products will be launched under the Meilun brand, which is a mid-to-premium tier ice cream brand in China with each one featuring a flavor inspired by the [Perfetti Van Melle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruittella-ice-lollies)-owned Alpenliebe candy lineup. The frozen treats will consist of seven options in all that range from ice creams to [fruit ice lollies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rowntrees-ice-lollies), which feature milk or fruit-forward flavors with ample texture to boot. Chairman of Meilun Mr. Cao spoke on the new Alpenliebe x Meilun ice cream series saying, "We are honored to partner with Alpenliebe. By combining Alpenliebe’s iconic candy flavors with our expertise in ice cream production, we aim to create a product series that is highly trusted, visually recognizable, and delightfully innovative, so that consumers can enjoy the familiar taste of Alpenliebe in every bite." Image Credit: Perfetti Van Melle ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.3/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Co-branding Dessert Collaborations:** Brings together recognizable candy IP and specialty frozen brands to create hybrid products that extend brand equity into adjacent categories and reshape consumer expectations. - **Candy-inspired Frozen Flavors:** Translates iconic confectionery taste profiles into ice cream and fruit lollies, offering a pathway for flavor portfolios to drive premiumization and seasonal novelty in frozen goods. - **Texture-forward Premium Ice Creams:** Emphasizes mix-ins and mouthfeel as differentiators, enabling premium tiering and experiential positioning that can disrupt commodity-priced frozen offerings. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Confectionery:** Leverages established flavor IP and packaging recognition to expand revenue streams through licensing and product-format diversification into frozen segments. - **Frozen Desserts:** Sees potential for margin uplift and brand storytelling by integrating branded candy elements and premium textures to move beyond traditional commodity competition. - **Retail E-commerce:** Experiences opportunities to create differentiated D2C assortments and limited-edition drops that capitalize on co-branded novelty and impulse purchasing behavior. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collectible-Inspired Chocolate Creations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/godiva-x-pop-mart-labubu.md) - [Swedish Candy Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bonbon-x-moomin-candy-collection.md) - [Hazelnut Ice Cream Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wells-ice-cream.md) - [Texture-Forward Branded Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/branded-frozen-treat.md) - [Playful Dessert Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/godiva-x-labubu.md) - [Frozen Candy Bar Confections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candy-bar-ice-cream.md) - [Chinese-Style Frozen Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/authentic-frozen-chinese-meals.md) - [Indulgent Winter Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meiji-dear-milk-tokuno.md) - [Collaboration Candy-Infused Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rays-ice-cream-and-blobs.md)