For centuries, the Middle-East is the birthplace of many iconic pastries, known for their rich flavors and indulgent confection. These sweet treats, often prepared with fragrant honeys, dried fruits, dates and refined spices, have established themselves as true cultural symbols, known today throughout the world.
Classics like the Baklava, crispy puff pastry filled with pistachios, almonds or walnuts, topped with honey syrup, Kunafa, this dessert made from angel hair (kadaïf) and cream flavored with orange blossom, passing through the Halva, this dense confectionery made with tahini, and the Turkish delight, sweet pastry flavored with rose or lemon, all these creations tell a story of culinary transmission and gourmet refinement.
Today, a new sweet star shines on the Middle Eastern food scene: Dubai chocolateA recent innovation which, in just a few years, has established itself as an essential reference in gourmet luxury.
The Meteoric Rise of Dubai Chocolate is a Modern Gourmet Success Story
Origin and Creation
En 2021, the entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda, founder of Chocolate Dessert Fixtfirst, imagine a chocolate bar that melts the iconic flavors of the Middle East with the intensity of artisanal chocolate. His inspiration comes from his culinary cravings during pregnancy, a moment when she feels an irresistible need to associate the sweetness of pistachio and the crunchiness of kadaïf.
The success was immediate: his creation first seduced connoisseurs of the region before conquering social networks, where it quickly became known a viral success.
A Gourmet Phenomenon Driven by Social Networks
En 2024, a video published by the culinary influencer BEVO on TikTok triggers a media tidal wave. With more than 100 million views, the popularity of Dubai chocolate explodes and demand becomes global. Shops are packed, waiting lists are getting longer, and chocolatiers around the world are trying to reproduce the recipe.
Its exclusivity and limited production make it a product of sought-after luxury, giving rise to unusual scenes, such as the arrest of an individual attempting to illegally bring 45 kg of these chocolates into Germany.
Today, prestigious places like the Burj Khalifa have their own brand of Dubai chocolate, reinforcing its status asgastronomic icon.
Faced with this craze, the Swiss brand Lindt also developed its own version, named « Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate« . This limited edition combines Lindt's smooth milk chocolate with a filling of 45% pistachio cream, enriched with almond and pistachio pieces, and crunchy kadaïf.This limited edition was launched in several countries, including France, Switzerland and Canada, where it was available at Lindt chocolate distributors and on their online site.
A Palette of Refined Flavors
Le Dubai chocolate is not limited to a single version. It comes in several variations, each highlighting the treasures of the Middle Eastern region :
- Chocolate with pistachio heart and crispy kadaif : The signature version, with a creamy pistachio ganache coated with a thin layer of dark or milk chocolate, enhanced by the crunchy kadaïf, a filamentary paste used in oriental pastries.
- Saffron-infused chocolate : Saffron, considered as the red gold of the Middle East, is incorporated to provide a subtly spicy flavor and an intense aroma, reinforcing the noble character of the chocolate.
- Date Chocolate : The marriage between the intense dark chocolate and the caramelized sweetness of dates gives a version that is both energizing and delicious, paying homage to this emblematic fruit of the region.
- Chocolate with mixed nuts : Besides pistachio, almonds and cashews enrich the texture and depth of taste, offering a more rustic and generous alternative.
- Sesame chocolate : Inspired by the Halva, this chocolate is flavored with lightly toasted sesame seeds, bringing a touch tasty and lightly roasted.
A Gastronomic Revolution Between Tradition and Modernity
The rise of Dubai chocolate is a perfect illustration of how ancestral traditions can be reinvented through culinary innovation. By combining iconic ingredients from the Middle East to the refined art of contemporary chocolate making, this dessert has succeeded in seducing a demanding international audience.
Its success also testifies to the importance of social networks in the diffusion of new gastronomic trends. This phenomenon recalls other iconic creations that have marked the history of sweets, like the Parisian macarons or Japanese mochi.
Dubai, already renowned for its ultra-premium gastronomic experiences, is thus establishing itself as a capital of luxury chocolate, at the forefront of new taste experiences.
A Chocolate That Makes You Dream
Became a real object of desire, Dubai chocolate embodies the alliance of craftsmanship, innovation and prestige. Reserved for delicatessens and exclusive boutiques, he seduces with his rarity and its refinement, attracting a clientele of gourmets and culinary collectors.
That we are chocolate enthusiast, Middle Eastern gastronomy lover or simply curious, this success story proves once again that gluttony has no borders. And that a simple chocolate bar can become the icon of a generation.
Only one question remains: How far will Dubai's chocolate craze go?
Patrick Koune
