Dubai chocolate: between luxury hype and real indulgence – with a recipe to follow

What makes Dubai chocolate so special? Is it the taste, the golden embellishments or simply the marketing skill that makes us believe that a hint of desert tastes better on the tongue? While some rave about decadent flavors and luxury, others wonder whether there is actually more to the glamour than just hot air. Time to take a closer look at the trend – and show you how you can bring this luxury into your own home. Without a plane ticket.

Dubai chocolate – luxury or blender?

Dubai has long since stylized itself as the global capital of over-the-top luxury: from gold ATMs to floating villas. So it was only a matter of time before innocent chocolate also got its decadent makeover. With fine chocolate, dates and spices such as cardamom and saffron, Dubai chocolate is said to conjure up the taste of 1001 nights on the tongue. But let’s be honest: Does it really taste any different to any good chocolate from a European factory?

The history of Dubai chocolate

The Dubai chocolate was developed in 2021 by Sarah Hamouda, the founder of Fix Dessert Chocolatier. Her creation combines high-quality chocolate with a filling of pistachio cream and kadayif, also known as angel hair. This special mixture became famous thanks to a viral TikTok video published by food influencer Maria Vehera in December 2023. From then on, the trend spread like wildfire and demand literally exploded.

The special magic of Dubai chocolate

The ingredients of Dubai chocolate are as exclusive as its reputation. It contains pistachio cream, which gives it its nutty note, and kadayif, which gives the chocolate its characteristic crunch. This combination gives the chocolate a unique oriental flavor that sets it apart from conventional chocolates. The use of these ingredients reflects the luxurious and exotic aura associated with Dubai. But the truth is that much of what is touted as revolutionary in Dubai is simply clever storytelling. Luxury sells – and in an Instagram world that thrives on shiny surfaces, it’s not what’s inside that counts, but how it looks.

The influence of social media and influencers

Social media has played a crucial role in the rise of Dubai Chocolate. Influencers and food bloggers presented the chocolate as a must-have, which contributed to an explosion in demand. The exclusive presentation and rarity of the chocolate reinforced the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and made it a coveted luxury good.

The true value of Dubai chocolate

As is so often the case with luxury products, the question arises: is the price justified? Or are you paying primarily for the illusion? What makes Dubai chocolate so desirable is the staging. It’s not just about taste, but about the experience. The purchase becomes a ritual: elegant boutiques, personalized packaging and the promise of holding a piece of luxury in your hands. The chocolate is not just a luxury food, but tastes distinctly glamorous, spiced up with an oriental touch of bling-bling.

So don’t wait for someone to sell you this “luxury” for a fortune? You can easily bring the magic of Dubai chocolate into your kitchen yourself.

Homemade: A simple recipe for Dubai chocolate

For those who want to try Dubai Chocolate themselves, there is a healthy and easy way to make it at home. This not only saves money, but also gives you control over the ingredients.

Recipe: Dubai chocolate à la DIY

Ingredients for 6 portions:

200 g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
50 g chopped dates
1 tsp cardamom (ground)
1 pinch of saffron threads (optional, for a luxurious taste)
1 tbsp chopped pistachios
Edible gold dust (for the look)

Preparation:

• Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie, stirring carefully.
• Stir in the dates, cardamom and saffron until the aromas develop.
• Add a few drops of rose water for a more intense note.
• Pour the chocolate mixture onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and smooth it out.
• Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and carefully dust with edible gold dust to create a luxurious sheen.
• Leave to set in the fridge, then break into small pieces and enjoy.

The perfect hint of Dubai – opulent, exotic and irresistible.

Luxury made by yourself

Dubai chocolate is undoubtedly a fascinating phenomenon: a product that combines tradition, glamor and exclusivity. But true luxury doesn’t have to be glamorous to be valuable. By selecting high-quality ingredients yourself and trying your hand at making them, you create something that no boutique in the world can offer: a product with personality and heart.

Because in the end, what counts is not how expensive something is – but how much pleasure it brings.