Dubai chocolate is the latest dessert sensation, combining rich chocolate, creamy pistachio filling, and crispy kataifi pastry. Created in 2023 by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier, this treat blends Middle Eastern flavors with modern chocolate-making techniques. Its meteoric rise on social media, including a viral TikTok video with 100M+ views, has turned it into a global trend.
Key Highlights:
- Unique Ingredients: Pistachio cream, kataifi pastry, tahini, camel milk, and spices like saffron and cardamom.
- Social Media Buzz: Viral videos have driven resale prices up to $327 for artisanal versions.
- Market Growth: In 2025, the Dubai chocolate market hit $537.3M, with demand surging worldwide.
- Global Appeal: Major brands like Lindt and smaller chocolatiers have embraced the trend.
Dubai chocolate is more than a dessert - it's a blend of tradition, creativity, and luxury. Read on for its history, ingredients, and why it’s taking over the world.
Dubai Viral Chocolate Dessert | Pistachio Kataifi Pastry
History of Dubai Chocolate
Early Beginnings
The story of Dubai chocolate started in 2023, blending Middle Eastern flavors with modern confectionery. It all began with Sarah Hamouda, who, during her pregnancy, craved desserts that reflected the flavors she loved but couldn’t find. The result? A dessert that combined traditional Middle Eastern ingredients like kadayif pastry and pistachio cream with a modern twist. This unique creation laid the groundwork for a dessert that would soon gain global recognition.
Key Creators
Sarah Hamouda, the founder of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, played a central role in bringing Dubai chocolate to life. As a British-Egyptian living in Dubai, she wanted to merge the rich flavors of her heritage with chocolate, creating something entirely new. Her creation quickly gained popularity, inspiring others in the industry. For example, Kischmisch Manufaktur in Cologne, Germany, reported that Dubai chocolate became their top seller at Christmas markets, priced at $7.96 for 3.5 oz. Even major brands like Lindt started crafting their own versions, while smaller bakeries and patisseries across Europe embraced the trend.
"The name Dubai comes from the place where it was created, but the very core flavors are truly Middle Eastern influences in its creation,"
explains food columnist Aylin Öney Tan, emphasizing how the dessert beautifully balances tradition and creativity.
Main Ingredients
Key Components
Dubai chocolate stands out thanks to its carefully chosen, high-quality ingredients. At its core, it features milk or dark chocolate paired with flavors inspired by the Middle East. A standout component is pistachio cream, made from 100% pure pistachios, giving it a rich and smooth texture.
Another defining element is kataifi pastry, a shredded phyllo dough that adds a signature crunch. To balance the sweetness and enhance the overall taste, tahini and a touch of salt are incorporated.
Regional Flavors
What truly sets Dubai chocolate apart is the addition of regional flavors that bring a unique twist. Here are some key elements that add to its character:
| Traditional Element | Purpose | Flavor Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Camel Milk | Base ingredient | Creamier texture, lower in lactose |
| Saffron | Aromatic spice | Light floral aroma |
| Rose Water | Flavoring | Subtle floral essence |
| Cardamom | Spice | Warm, spicy undertones |
| Orange Blossom | Flavoring | Bright citrus hints |
"Dubai chocolate is crafted using a blend of high-quality, natural ingredients, ensuring a superior taste and texture", explains Ceres Gourmet, emphasizing the role of ingredient selection in achieving a perfect flavor profile.
These regional additions enhance the balance between tradition and modern culinary techniques. For example, Fix Dessert Chocolatier’s creation, "Can't Get Knafeh of It," masterfully combines classic Middle Eastern ingredients with contemporary chocolate-making methods.
The result? A chocolate experience like no other. The creamy pistachio filling contrasts beautifully with the crispy kataifi layers, while tahini, salt, and spices add complexity. Some chocolatiers take it a step further, adding luxurious touches like edible gold flakes or sea salt caramel - perfectly capturing Dubai’s flair for culinary elegance and creativity.
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Making Dubai Chocolate
Production Steps
Dubai chocolate combines time-honored techniques with modern methods to create a luxurious treat. The journey begins with carefully chosen cocoa beans from trusted farms. These beans are roasted under precise conditions to unlock their rich flavors and then ground into a smooth cocoa mass.
Next, Middle Eastern ingredients are added to create its signature taste. Pistachio cream is made by grinding pistachios with milk powder and oil until smooth, while kataifi pastry is toasted to a crisp. Here's an overview of the key stages:
-
Bean Processing
Cocoa beans are roasted at exact temperatures to develop their deep, rich flavor. -
Ingredient Integration
The cocoa mass is combined with traditional Middle Eastern elements, each added with care and precision:
These steps ensure the chocolate achieves its signature taste and texture.Ingredient Purpose Integration Method Pistachio Cream Base filling Folded in gently at controlled temperatures Kataifi Pastry Adds texture Toasted and layered strategically Tahini Balances flavor Blended thoroughly into the mixture Regional Spices Enhances aroma Incorporated during the tempering phase -
Tempering Process
The chocolate is tempered at specific temperatures to achieve a smooth, glossy finish and the perfect snap.
After production, each piece undergoes detailed quality checks to meet Dubai's high standards of craftsmanship.
Quality Standards
Dubai chocolate makers enforce strict quality checks at every step. This includes monitoring temperatures during tempering, testing ingredients, and inspecting both texture and appearance. The final products are packaged in elegant boxes that reflect Dubai's reputation for luxury, elevating the chocolate's premium appeal.
"Dubai chocolate not only offers a luxurious and unique taste experience but also involves a production process filled with care and precision. These chocolates are crafted with such attention to detail that they are more than just a dessert; they are a work of art." - Dubai Schokolade
Market Performance
Buying Patterns
In 2025, the Dubai chocolate market reached USD 537.3 million, fueled by a growing appetite for premium confections inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Convenience stores lead the way as the primary retail channel, shaping the market's distribution landscape. Meanwhile, Booza Delight in Dearborn, Michigan, saw an unprecedented surge in customers, even extending shifts to meet the growing demand.
Here’s a snapshot of key purchasing trends:
| Channel Type | Market Share | Notable Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience Stores | 41% | Main hub for chocolate purchases |
| Vending Machines | 76% weekly users | 90% of users buy chocolate bars or wafers |
| Online Retail | 6% growth rate | Fastest-growing segment |
These shifts in buying habits are driving changes in product offerings and pricing strategies.
Current Trends
Consumer preferences and new product launches are reshaping the Dubai chocolate market. Luxury chocolate bars from Dubai now sell for more than USD 18 each, driven by social media buzz and a demand for sustainable, health-focused options. Dark chocolate remains a standout, priced at an average of USD 5.64 per unit in 2023.
One standout product is Fix Dessert Chocolatier's chocolate bar, which combines milk chocolate, pistachio cream, and knafeh. This creation gained international fame on TikTok in 2024. The push for more sustainable options continues to grow, with 82.6% of UAE consumers in 2022 favoring clean-label and eco-conscious products. Innovations like Barry Callebaut's whole-fruit chocolates under the Cacao Barry brand are meeting this demand, offering reduced sugar content compared to standard dark chocolate.
"The youngsters, they come up with ideas all the time",
- Vicky Ognanovich, a long-time employee at The New Palace Bakery.
Brands are also tailoring their offerings to regional tastes while maintaining global standards. For instance, Nestlé’s partnership with Dubai Duty-Free in July 2022 introduced Mackintosh's Quality Street Oriental Selection. This exclusive travel retail collection features unique flavors like Rose Pistachio, Qamar El Din, Baklawa Pistachio, and Mohalabiya in a 251g package.
Looking Ahead
Main Points
Dubai chocolate's popularity has grown thanks to its mix of Middle Eastern flavors and expert chocolate-making techniques. By combining ingredients like pistachio cream and Knafeh with high-quality chocolate, it has carved out a special place in the global market. Major brands are embracing this trend, with recent launches such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Company's Dubai Chocolate Sundae Experience and Lindt's Limited-Edition Dubai-Inspired Chocolate highlighting its momentum.
This growth is also mirrored in trademark discussions across Europe. As the industry moves forward, it will need to address both legal and creative challenges to maintain its pace.
Next Steps
The future of Dubai chocolate presents both opportunities and hurdles. Trademark issues, particularly around distinctiveness, will play a key role in shaping brand strategies. Patent Attorney Rüdiger Bals explains:
"trademark law examines whether a term is distinctive, and the term Dubai chocolate as such likely lacks sufficient uniqueness."
Key areas to watch in the industry include:
| Focus Area | Current Status | Future Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Product Innovation | Middle Eastern-inspired flavors | Plant-based options and health-focused recipes |
| Market Expansion | Strong presence on social media | Building direct trade relationships with farmers |
| Quality Control | Premium branding | Greater emphasis on sustainable sourcing practices |
Recent product launches reflect these shifts. NotCo's Dubai Style NotSquare and Magno Chocolates' Pistachio Knafeh Chocolate Bar, made with 53% Tumaco cacao, highlight the balance between creativity and staying true to traditional flavors.
These developments show how Middle Eastern influences are shaping global preferences in high-end and health-conscious chocolate. With a focus on sustainable sourcing and advancements in production, the industry's growth potential is set to remain strong.
