In recent years, the global food scene has witnessed many trends—some fleeting, others unforgettable. But few confections have managed to capture both the luxury aesthetic and deep cultural roots the way Dubai chocolate has. Known for its vibrant green filling, crunchy layers, and rich, Middle Eastern-inspired flavors, Dubai chocolate is more than just a viral snack—it’s a culinary statement. This article dives into the ingredients, the creators behind it, and why people around the world are calling it a must-try. In this article, we’ll explore all about Dubai chocolate ingredients—what they are, why they matter, and how they helped create one of the most talked-about desserts in the world.
What Is Dubai Chocolate?
Dubai chocolate is a premium dessert bar first created by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in the United Arab Emirates. At first glance, it may look like just another fancy chocolate bar, but bite into it, and you’re hit with a complex experience: sweet milk chocolate, nutty pistachio paste, creamy tahini, and a crisp crunch from kataifi, a type of shredded filo dough. What truly sets it apart isn’t just its unique flavor—it’s the emotional and cultural depth baked into every layer.
The product’s fame skyrocketed in 2024 when short-form videos of people biting into the bar flooded platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It became a visual sensation thanks to the contrast between its glossy exterior and vivid green and golden interior. Suddenly, everyone wanted a taste—but supply was limited. Within days, it transformed from a local dessert into a global luxury.
The Origins: Culture Meets Craving
The origins of Dubai chocolate are surprisingly intimate. It was developed by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian civil engineer living in Dubai, who was pregnant at the time. Her cravings led her to imagine a chocolate bar that could combine rich Middle Eastern flavors with the indulgence of a luxury dessert. Her idea? Blend pistachio cream, tahini, and crispy knafeh-like textures inside smooth chocolate.
To bring the idea to life, Sarah partnered with Nouel Catis Omamalin, a Filipino pastry chef with deep experience in the UAE’s food scene and formal training from the prestigious École Valrhona in France. Their collaboration was the perfect blend of vision and skill. While Sarah envisioned the emotional and cultural resonance, Nouel developed the technical finesse to execute it.
Their approach was handmade and meticulous—only a few dozen bars were made each day, each one hand-filled, layered, and sealed. This rarity and craftsmanship contributed to the aura of exclusivity that helped Dubai chocolate go viral.
The Core Ingredients That Make It Unique
Every element of Dubai chocolate has been carefully chosen for flavor, texture, and cultural meaning. It’s not just a dessert—it’s a tasting journey.
Milk Chocolate Shell
At the foundation is a high-quality milk chocolate shell, often crafted from Belgian or Swiss chocolate. It provides the sweetness and richness needed to balance the earthiness of the fillings. The shell is thick enough to give a satisfying snap when bitten into but soft enough to melt luxuriously on the tongue.
Pistachio Cream
Arguably the most eye-catching and flavorful component, pistachio cream brings a sweet nuttiness and a bold green hue. Made from ground pistachios and sometimes enriched with white chocolate or condensed milk, the cream is smooth, luscious, and nutty without being overpowering. Its inclusion nods to pistachio’s popularity in Middle Eastern desserts like baklava and maamoul.
Tahini (Sesame Paste)
Tahini adds complexity. Unlike sweet fillings, tahini offers a slightly bitter, roasted flavor that enhances the pistachio while grounding the sweetness of the chocolate. It adds richness and depth, creating a more balanced and adult flavor profile. This fusion of sweet and savory makes the dessert sophisticated rather than cloying.
Kataifi (Shredded Phyllo Dough)
Kataifi is the secret to the chocolate’s irresistible crunch. This finely shredded filo dough is baked until crispy and layered inside the bar to create a textural contrast that’s hard to find in most chocolates. It mimics the traditional dessert knafeh, which is widely loved across the Middle East.
Flavor Enhancers and Variations
In some versions, flavors like saffron, rose water, cardamom, and even camel milk are used to deepen the cultural connection and elevate the sensory experience. These flavors may be subtle but play a key role in giving the chocolate its signature Middle Eastern identity.
The Creators Behind the Hype
Behind every iconic product is a story—and in this case, it’s one of inspiration and creativity.
Sarah Hamouda
- Age: Mid-30s
- Background: Civil engineer turned entrepreneur
- Nationality: British-Egyptian
- Social Media: Not heavily public-facing but featured in food and lifestyle interviews
- Net Worth: Not publicly disclosed, though her company has reportedly grossed seven figures in product demand
Sarah’s concept was born not from a marketing trend, but from genuine curiosity and culinary nostalgia. Her cravings led to invention, and her partnership with a skilled chef turned a kitchen experiment into an international phenomenon.
Nouel Catis Omamalin
- Origin: Dipolog City, Philippines
- Career: Pastry consultant and dessert innovator in Dubai
- Education: École Valrhona, France
- Physical Description: Slim, mid-height, typically seen in chef whites during public appearances
- Role: Former co-creator and production lead
Nouel was instrumental in refining the recipe and building the initial production process. He has since launched his own knafeh-inspired line under the brand Snaap DXB, a spinoff paying homage to his roots in Dubai’s dessert culture.
The Viral Effect
The rise of Dubai chocolate wasn’t just organic—it was digital. A video by influencer Maria Vehera showing the chocolate’s cross-section gained over 100 million views within days. The mix of visual appeal, rich textures, and scarcity drove massive engagement. Thousands placed orders on Fix Dessert’s website, crashing it multiple times. Even Deliveroo couldn’t keep up with local deliveries in Dubai.
The buzz wasn’t limited to social media. Within months, international brands tried replicating the recipe. Lindt, Aldi, and Lidl released their own versions. Waitrose and Sainsbury’s reported record sales of their “Dubai-style” chocolate bars.
Controversy and Copycats
However, with popularity came problems. Many mass-produced versions lacked authenticity. Tests conducted in Germany found undeclared allergens, non-cocoa fats, and low-quality fillers in some imported bars. Legal issues also surfaced, as brands attempted to trademark the term “Dubai chocolate” while not actually manufacturing it in the UAE.
This raised questions about authenticity and quality. Could something handcrafted and meaningful be mass-replicated? Fans of the original say no—nothing beats the artisan texture and care of the original Fix Dessert bars.
Can You Make It Yourself?
Yes—many food bloggers and chefs have posted DIY versions online. You’ll need:
- Silicone chocolate bar molds
- Milk chocolate for melting
- Pistachio paste (or grind your own)
- Tahini
- Toasted kataifi or phyllo bits
- Optional: rose water, cardamom, saffron threads
Assembling it requires patience, but the reward is worth it. Some bloggers even recommend freezing the filling first for easier molding and a cleaner cross-section.
Conclusion – The Verdict: Is the Hype Real?
Absolutely. Dubai chocolate isn’t just a fad—it’s a celebration of flavor, tradition, and innovation. It captures the essence of Middle Eastern desserts while appealing to modern tastes. The hype, driven by digital platforms, was supported by real craftsmanship, flavor depth, and emotional storytelling.
It’s not just about eating chocolate—it’s about experiencing culture in a single bite.
FAQs:
1. What makes Dubai chocolate different from regular chocolate bars?
Dubai chocolate stands out due to its rich filling of pistachio-tahini cream and crispy kataifi, giving it a unique mix of smooth, crunchy, and nutty textures not typically found in commercial chocolate bars.
2. Is Dubai chocolate actually made in Dubai?
Yes, the original Dubai chocolate was handcrafted by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in the UAE. However, many versions sold globally are inspired by the original but produced elsewhere.
3. Can I make Dubai chocolate at home?
Absolutely. With ingredients like milk chocolate, pistachio paste, tahini, and kataifi (or phyllo), you can recreate a version at home using molds and layering techniques.
4. Are there any allergens in Dubai chocolate?
Yes, common allergens include nuts (pistachios), sesame (tahini), dairy (milk chocolate), and gluten (kataifi). Always check labels if buying pre-packaged versions.
5. Why did Dubai chocolate go viral?
Its visually striking green filling, rich flavor, and limited availability made it a hit on TikTok and Instagram, especially in 2024 when a viral video caused demand to skyrocket worldwide.
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