logo
Here is the ‘Original' Dubai Chocolate Creation Story

Here is the ‘Original' Dubai Chocolate Creation Story

Arab Timesa day ago
Born from a spark of inspiration in a home kitchen, Dubai Chocolate has quickly risen to become a symbol of Emirati innovation and craftsmanship, winning hearts — and taste buds — around the world.
What started in 2021 as a simple experiment by Dubai-based entrepreneur Sarah Hammouda has now blossomed into an internationally acclaimed brand. Driven by her craving for a traditional Arab flavor — pistachio kunafa — Sarah set out to create a chocolate that blended authentic Middle Eastern taste with a modern twist, one that could compete with global confectionery brands without losing its cultural identity. And in just under three years, her family kitchen experiment evolved into a fully developed luxury product, now proudly displayed on the shelves of upscale chocolate boutiques worldwide.
A Uniquely Emirati Blend
What sets Dubai Chocolate apart isn't just its elegant packaging — inspired by traditional Emirati art — but also its bold and balanced flavor profile. Inside each bar, silky layers of milk chocolate embrace a rich, creamy pistachio filling, punctuated with crispy strands of kunafa dough. The result is a perfect harmony of texture and taste — a bite-sized tribute to the region's heritage, reimagined in a language of luxury.
From Viral Video to Global Craze
The turning point came when a TikTok influencer casually posted a video tasting the chocolate. What followed was a marketing dream: the video went viral, amassing over 70 million views in just a few days. In the weeks that followed, Dubai Chocolate became a global sensation. Reports of sold-out stock, waiting lists, and copycat brands filled social media — but none could replicate the originality and authenticity of the original.
A Tropical Twist: 'Time to Mango'
Continuing its journey of bold innovation, Fix Dessert Chocolatier (the company behind the brand) recently launched a new flavor: "Time to Mango" — an adventurous tropical blend of mango and passion fruit, encased in smooth white chocolate and finished with a playful popping candy crunch.
The Secret to Success: Quality and Identity
Despite commercial temptations, Fix Dessert has remained true to its roots. The chocolates are still handcrafted, and the packaging continues to draw from Emirati design motifs, preserving the brand's original spirit: a world-class product with a local soul. A key figure in shaping the brand's success was Filipino chef Noel Catis Umamalin, who worked closely with Sarah Hammouda to refine the core recipe — ensuring that the product wasn't just delicious, but also stable in texture, scalable in production, and globally distributable.
More Than a Treat — It's a Story
Today, Dubai Chocolate is no longer just a sweet indulgence or luxury gift. It's become a symbol of Dubai's spirit of opportunity — a city where a modest idea can grow into a world-renowned brand. It's a story that continues to inspire female entrepreneurs and the next generation of Arab chefs alike: that innovation doesn't require a massive factory, just an original idea — and the courage to pursue it.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwaiti artist shines at Istanbul Arts Festival
Kuwaiti artist shines at Istanbul Arts Festival

Arab Times

time15 minutes ago

  • Arab Times

Kuwaiti artist shines at Istanbul Arts Festival

ISTANBUL, July 26: Kuwaiti artist Sabah Asad on Thursday expressed his great happiness and pride in representing the State of Kuwait at international forums and raising its flag among nations. His statement came during the opening of the 26th edition of the International Buyukcekmece Arts, Culture and Handicrafts Festival in Istanbul, with Kuwait participating alongside 32 countries from around the world. 'I am a visual artist who specializes in one of the rare branches of visual arts – the art of sculpture and engraving on eggshells – which is considered unfamiliar in our Arab societies,' Asad told KUNA. He added that he has received invitations to participate in many international exhibitions in countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Italy, Britain, and the Gulf states, noting that he has received international awards, including the title of 'International Sculptor' from the People's Republic of China. The Kuwaiti pavilion at the festival, as in other art events, featured unique works by Sabah Asad, who sculpted and engraved eggshells. His creations won the admiration of visitors and some Turkish media outlets, as well as the approval of the festival's organizing committee. (KUNA)

Ziad Rahbani, Lebanese composer and son of icon Fayrouz, dies at 69
Ziad Rahbani, Lebanese composer and son of icon Fayrouz, dies at 69

Arab Times

time6 hours ago

  • Arab Times

Ziad Rahbani, Lebanese composer and son of icon Fayrouz, dies at 69

BEIRUT, July 26, (AP): Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, died on Saturday, at the age of 69, according to the state-run National News Agency. The death was confirmed by a person close to Rahbani who spoke on condition of anonymity. The cause of death was not immediately clear. Born in 1956 in Antelias, near Beirut, Ziad was the eldest son of legendary Lebanese singer Fayrouz and late composer Assi Rahbani, one half of the famed Rahbani Brothers. From a young age, he showed signs of prodigious talent, composing his first musical work at just 17 years old. Raised among artistic royalty, his world was steeped in music, theater, and political consciousness - a combination that would define his life's work. His mother, considered to be the most famous and esteemed performer in the Arab world, performed some of his compositions at her sellout concerts, blending Lebanese folklore with Western syncopation and phrasing. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun mourned Rahbani's death as a national loss, describing him as "not just an artist, but a complete intellectual and cultural phenomenon.' In a statement, Aoun praised Rahbani as "a living conscience, a rebellious voice against injustice, and an honest mirror reflecting the suffering and marginalized.' He highlighted how Rahbani's fusion of classical, jazz, and Oriental music "opened new windows for Lebanese cultural expression' and elevated it to global levels. "Ziad was a natural extension of the Rahbani family, which gave Lebanon much beauty and dignity,' the president added. While his parents helped construct a golden era of Lebanese musical theater steeped in idealism and nostalgia, Rahbani charged onto the scene with irreverent satire, unflinching political critique, and jazz-inflected scores that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of a Lebanon at war with itself. "I admire the music of composers like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, and Dizzy Gillespie,' he once said. "But my music is not Western, it's Lebanese, with a different way of expression.' Rahbani's music reflected the hybrid heritage of Lebanon, which until the civil war erupted in 1975 was a cultural melting pot where East met West. But it was also deeply rooted in the traumatic events of the sectarian strife, the bloody street battles between rival militias and three years of violent Israeli occupation after the 1982 invasion. His breakout play, Nazl el-Sourour (Happiness Hotel), premiered in 1974 when he was only 17 and portrayed a society disfigured by class inequality and repression. The tragicomic narrative follows a group of workers who hijack a restaurant to demand their rights, only to be dismissed by the political elite. With this bold debut, Rahbani revealed his enduring theme: that Lebanese society was fractured not only by war but by entrenched power. A leftist Greek Orthodox, Rahbani also wrote plays and satirical radio shows centered on his violent environment that mock the sectarian divisions of his country. Rahbani's subsequent plays solidified his reputation as the voice of the disenchanted. In Bennesbeh Labokra Chou? (What About Tomorrow?), He plays a jaded bar pianist in post-civil war Beirut who drifts through a surreal landscape of broken dreams, corruption, and absurdity. The work features some of Rahbani's most poignant music and biting commentary, including the famous line, "They say tomorrow will be better, but what about today?' Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also mourned Rahbani's loss, describing him as "an exceptional and creative artist-a free voice who remained true to the values of justice and dignity.' More than just a playwright, Rahbani was a composer of staggering range. He infused traditional Arabic melodies with jazz, funk, and classical influences, creating a hybrid sound that became instantly recognizable. His live performances were legendary, whether playing piano in smoky clubs in Hamra, one of Beirut's major commercial districts that harbors a multifaceted identity, or orchestrating large-scale productions. His collaborations with Fayrouz, especially during the late 1970s and 1980s, ushered in a darker, more politically charged phase in her career. Songs like Ouverture 83, Bala Wala Chi (Without Anything), and Kifak Inta (How Are You) reflected Ziad's brooding compositions and lyrical introspection. Rahbani came under fire from Arab traditionalists for his pioneering efforts to bridge the gap between Arab and Western culture with music. In recent years, Ziad appeared less in the public eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon's political stagnation and decaying public life. Rahbani is survived by his mother, Fayrouz, now 90, his sister Reema, and brother Hali.

Here is the ‘Original' Dubai Chocolate Creation Story
Here is the ‘Original' Dubai Chocolate Creation Story

Arab Times

timea day ago

  • Arab Times

Here is the ‘Original' Dubai Chocolate Creation Story

Born from a spark of inspiration in a home kitchen, Dubai Chocolate has quickly risen to become a symbol of Emirati innovation and craftsmanship, winning hearts — and taste buds — around the world. What started in 2021 as a simple experiment by Dubai-based entrepreneur Sarah Hammouda has now blossomed into an internationally acclaimed brand. Driven by her craving for a traditional Arab flavor — pistachio kunafa — Sarah set out to create a chocolate that blended authentic Middle Eastern taste with a modern twist, one that could compete with global confectionery brands without losing its cultural identity. And in just under three years, her family kitchen experiment evolved into a fully developed luxury product, now proudly displayed on the shelves of upscale chocolate boutiques worldwide. A Uniquely Emirati Blend What sets Dubai Chocolate apart isn't just its elegant packaging — inspired by traditional Emirati art — but also its bold and balanced flavor profile. Inside each bar, silky layers of milk chocolate embrace a rich, creamy pistachio filling, punctuated with crispy strands of kunafa dough. The result is a perfect harmony of texture and taste — a bite-sized tribute to the region's heritage, reimagined in a language of luxury. From Viral Video to Global Craze The turning point came when a TikTok influencer casually posted a video tasting the chocolate. What followed was a marketing dream: the video went viral, amassing over 70 million views in just a few days. In the weeks that followed, Dubai Chocolate became a global sensation. Reports of sold-out stock, waiting lists, and copycat brands filled social media — but none could replicate the originality and authenticity of the original. A Tropical Twist: 'Time to Mango' Continuing its journey of bold innovation, Fix Dessert Chocolatier (the company behind the brand) recently launched a new flavor: "Time to Mango" — an adventurous tropical blend of mango and passion fruit, encased in smooth white chocolate and finished with a playful popping candy crunch. The Secret to Success: Quality and Identity Despite commercial temptations, Fix Dessert has remained true to its roots. The chocolates are still handcrafted, and the packaging continues to draw from Emirati design motifs, preserving the brand's original spirit: a world-class product with a local soul. A key figure in shaping the brand's success was Filipino chef Noel Catis Umamalin, who worked closely with Sarah Hammouda to refine the core recipe — ensuring that the product wasn't just delicious, but also stable in texture, scalable in production, and globally distributable. More Than a Treat — It's a Story Today, Dubai Chocolate is no longer just a sweet indulgence or luxury gift. It's become a symbol of Dubai's spirit of opportunity — a city where a modest idea can grow into a world-renowned brand. It's a story that continues to inspire female entrepreneurs and the next generation of Arab chefs alike: that innovation doesn't require a massive factory, just an original idea — and the courage to pursue it.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store