Latest news with #Dubai-inspired
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Beloved luxury chocolate brand RETURNS to supermarkets after five years with new viral bar
Clubcard holders are being treated to a great discount CHOCO LOT Beloved luxury chocolate brand RETURNS to supermarkets after five years with new viral bar Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LUXURY chocolate brand is marking its return to supermarkets with a limited edition flavour. Godiva, which is exclusively sold at high-end retailers like Harrods, will be flogging its Dubai-style chocolate bars at Tesco. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Godiva is stocked in high-end stores such as Harrods and Selfridges Credit: Dubai-style chocolate features layers of rich pistachio cream and crunchy kadayif pastry, encased in smooth milk chocolate. The 100-year-old Belgian brand is now owned by Pladis, which also has McVities and Jacob's in its repertoire. It was quick to jump on the Dubai chocolate bandwagon and in 2024, Pladis Türkiye launched it's own range which sold 3,000 tones in the first four months of launching. Godiva goodies haven't been available to the masses for five years and were only available in Harrods, Selfridges, and its Covent Garden flagship store. read more on tesco FIRE DEAL Tesco slashes the price of summer garden essential from £80 to £24 A Godiva spokesperson, said: 'Global influences are increasingly reshaping the snacking industry, as consumers seek more adventurous and authentic culinary experiences. "The popularity of Dubai-style chocolate is a clear example of how international flavours are crossing borders and becoming mainstream." Godiva's Dubai-inspired chocolate bar will be £10 or £7.95 for Clubcard customers in Tesco stores across the country. Back in 2017, Sainsbury's customers were treated to the luxury Belgian chocolate for just £1.50 per bar. The Godiva Masterpieces range included three chocolate bars - two milk chocolate treats with a smooth caramel filling and a creamy hazelnut praline filling and one dark chocolate bar with a ganache filling. This comes as Lidl launched a Dubai Style Chocolate Cream spread and it was in such high demand that the store placed a three-jar-per-person limit. The Della Sante Dubai Style Chocolate Cream spread combines the flavours of the insanely popular chocolate but in spreadable form. We've outdone ourselves with this one' say Cadbury Ireland as they reveal new limited edition bar 'coming soon That means you can slather it on toast, pile it onto pancakes, dip fruit in it or even spoon it from the jar. The sweet and salty pots cost £4.99 or £3.99 for Lidl Plus members, which is far more expensive than the store's other chocolate spreads. One shared a snap of the toast topping on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group. Followers flocked to the comment section to tag friends and family in the post. Lidl has said it will be available "while stocks last" - so you may want to get in quick. When Lidl launched its Dubai-style chocolate bar back in March, shoppers were queuing outside shops to get a taste. The Sun spotted a queue outside the Gosport, Hampshire, store at 8am with shoppers eagerly waiting for the doors to open. Chocolate fans have been going crazy for supermarket dupes of the expensive Dubai chocolate bars and they've been going viral on social media. Lidl's version was the cheapest when it was brought out at £3.99.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
‘This is getting stupid' shoppers fume as Iceland launch £3 buy with Dubai chocolate twist & people say it ‘looks vile'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS have been left fuming as Iceland launches a £3 bakery buy with a viral Dubai chocolate twist. While many have gone crazy for pistachio-inspired treats over the last few months, it appears that many are now losing interest, with numerous foodies accusing chains of 'going over the top' with endless trendy snack options. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Foodies have been left fuming after spotting a new £3 bakery buy in Iceland that has a viral Dubai chocolate twist Credit: Alamy 3 Not only did people hail the pistachio trend as 'nonsense', but others wondered when the viral craze 'would end' Credit: Facebook/Emily Scott Not only have we seen Dubai chocolate cookies, Dubai-inspired cheesecakes and £10 Dubai chocolate from Lindt being flogged in Sainsbury's, but now an iconic bakery item has been given the Dubai twist. It comes after one bargain hunter was left totally stunned after spotting the new Flair Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Croissants in her local Iceland. Thrilled with her find, Emily Scott took to social media to alert others to the purse-friendly sweet treat, leaving many gobsmacked - but not in a good way. Posting on BARGAIN LOVERS Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More, a public Facebook group with 839,900 members, Emily shared a snap of the new-in bakery buy, which contains four chocolate and pistachio croissants in a pack. Alongside a snap of the pastries which are priced at £3 a pack, Emily simply penned: 'New Dubai chocolate pistachio croissants at Iceland!' According to those at Flair, the pastries, which are 'made in Dubai' will enable foodies to 'indulge in exquisite taste'. Each croissant is said to be 'baked to perfection', featuring rich chocolate dough and a velvety pistachio cream filling. The 'premium treat' has also been hailed as 'perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying yourself'. The croissants are individually wrapped, making them convenient for on-the-go enjoyment. Not only this, but they are said to be 'ideal for every occasion', whether that's breakfast, snacking, or even a sophisticated dessert. You asked, we delivered' says Irish supermarket as viral chocolate lands in stores but 'they won't last' But Facebook users weren't totally convinced by the new croissants and many thought they looked 'horrifying'. Not only did people hail the pistachio trend as 'nonsense', but others wondered when the viral craze 'would end'. The nation's most peculiar food combinations revealed Brits reveal unusual food combinations that are so wrong, they feel right Research by LNER claims that a whopping four in five Brits experiment with unusual flavours, and almost a quarter have a 'guilty pleasure' when it comes to unconventional food combinations, Crisps and chocolate Cheese and chocolate Crisps in jam sandwich Chips and milkshake Cheese and bananas Apples with salt and pepper Avocado and chocolate Popcorn and hot sauce Tuna and marmite Gherkins and peanut butter One person said: 'Really stupid and not one real pistachio in sight.' Another added: 'Omg totally going over the top.. next will be Dubai chocolate scented toilet roll..' When will this pistachio nonsense end? Facebook user A third commented: 'That looks horrifying.' Whilst another foodie slammed: 'This is just getting stupid.' 3 Not only this, but another food fan fumed: 'The picture on the package looks vile. "That alone would put me off buying as well as the ridiculous price.' Meanwhile, someone else asked: 'When will this pistachio nonsense end?' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
North Wales Live
10-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Lindt launches Dubai chocolate sharing box and fans can save 63% on 'heavenly' treat
The Dubai chocolate craze shows no signs of slowing down, with Lindt launching a new box of pistachio pralines ideal for sharing, as well as restocking its best-selling bar. Despite the premium chocolatier's complete range costing £24, savvy shoppers have discovered a way to sample it all for less than £9. Dubai chocolate has been praised by chocoholics on social media for its unique blend of gooey pistachio cream with crunchy knafeh, also known as kadayif - or finely shredded filo pastry. This combination with the chocolate creates an ultimate crunchy yet creamy taste sensation. Lindt's version was one of the first to arrive in the UK, with the bars selling out twice already in store and online, despite the retailer enforcing a strict two bars per person limit to try and meet demand. But for those who've previously missed the limited releases in stores, Lindt has not only restocked the favourite online but bought in a new addition, with shoppers dubbing the £14 box of sweets 'heavenly' and 'wickedly delicious.' Money-saving website TopCashback offers new members a free £15 bonus when they sign up as well as giving them a percentage of their spend back every time they shop online with thousands of different retailers, reports the Mirror. So shoppers who combine the deal with a virtual shop at Lindt can effectively get both the 145g £10 bar and a 90g box of the new pralines for £8.79 after cashback, effectively getting both treats for less than the normal price of the bar for shoppers who manage to track it down in the shops. Dubai chocolate has become an internet phenomenon in recent months, amassing over 120 million views on social media and causing a shopping scramble. Lindt isn't the only brand to lean into the foodie trend, which has led to long queues in supermarkets as shoppers scramble to get their hands on versions from M&S, Waitrose, Ocado, Lidl, QD and Sainsburys. In addition, Krispy Kreme has introduced a pistachio cream filled doughnut inspired by the craze, encouraging shoppers to try something new. Meanwhile, Londoners can also indulge in a massive 11-inch high Dubai chocolate milkshake priced at £19 at Black Tap Craft Burgers branches from next week. The shake includes knafeh, pistachio and even a whole slice of chocolate mousse cake. Elsewhere, keen home cooks are snapping up boxes of crispy kadayif, chocolate moulds, and pistachio cream to whip up their own versions of a sweet sensation. But for those who'd rather skip the kitchen effort, Amazon is selling several non-branded alternatives. The current crowd-pleaser is Velafee's 200g bar, flying off the virtual shelves with over 1,000 sold this month alone, priced at £14.98 a bar and boasting a solid 4-star rating from 154 reviews. Not far behind is the Brics Signature Dubai Chocolate bar, at a slightly cheaper price point of £9.99 for 200g, although it's earned a less effusive 3.2 stars from 189 reviews. In comparison, over at Lindt's own website, the Dubai-inspired treats are causing quite a stir among chocoholics. Their bars have earned an impressive average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 276 reviews, while the praline box is not too shabby either, with a 4.2 rating from 29 reviews. One happy customer trying the pralines for the first time said: "These are simply heavenly. They are the perfect treat for anyone who loves pistachio cream. I only discovered them when browsing through the Lindt website. I live in the sticks and rarely get into town for shopping, so I had not seen them before. Now I know I can buy them - plus so many other less common Lindt products - online, they will become a regular treat, for us and as gifts for others." One shopper said after trying the new launch: "I am not a chocolate fan, but I tried that type of Dubai style chocolate and I think it is good. This is definitely more Dubai style than the bar, for people who like more of that flavour this is the perfect choice." Another reviewer said, after trying the bar: "I expected this chocolate to be good, but oh boy this stuff is ridiculous. I only recommend buying this if you have Olympic levels of self control. Fabulous chocolate with a crunchy middle layer and gorgeous pistachios. A revelation." However, some chocoholics pointed out the bars were thinner than the traditionally lavish Dubai chocolates known for generous fillings. One more critical review said: "The pistachio and kadayif quantity is very low. I am from Dubai and Dubai viral chocolate is in the limelight because of the taste of the kunefa but here the quantity is too low. Make it thick." Sign up as a new member via the TopCashback website to claim the £15 bonus. Search for Lindt and click 'Get Cashback Now'. Shop and check out as usual. Cashback will then track and appear in shoppers' TopCashback accounts within seven working days of purchase. The cashback will become payable and available to withdraw and spend after Lindt has paid TopCashback the commission for the purchase.
Emirates 24/7
21-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Chocolate Sparks a Pistachio Crisis
The rapid rise of Dubai chocolate has triggered a worldwide pistachio shortage, driving prices up by a third and straining global supplies. The viral bars — a blend of pistachio cream, shredded pastry (kataifi), and milk chocolate — were introduced in 2021 by boutique Emirati chocolatier FIX. Initially a modest hit, they became a global phenomenon after a TikTok video posted in December 2023 racked up over 120 million views, sparking a wave of imitations. As demand surged, pistachio kernel prices jumped from $7.65 to about $10.30 per pound, according to Giles Hacking of nut trader CG Hacking. "The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment," he said. Retailers have struggled to keep up. Lindt's Dubai-inspired chocolate retails at £10 for 145 grams in the UK — more than double the price of its regular bars — and some shops have started rationing purchases. Lindt and British supermarket Morrisons have even launched pistachio cream Easter eggs to tap into the trend. The shortage follows an already difficult year for pistachio production. A disappointing U.S. harvest, combined with a higher-than-usual quality crop (yielding fewer cheaper, shell-free kernels), tightened supply just as demand exploded. Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, has seen exports to the UAE soar — up 40% in the six months to March 2025 compared to the previous full year, according to Iran's customs office. "In 2023, supply exceeded demand, leading to lower prices and a boom in pistachio byproducts like butter and paste," said Behrooz Agah of Iran's Pistachio Association. "That environment helped Dubai Chocolate gain traction globally." Meanwhile, U.S. farmers are increasingly planting pistachio trees over almonds, but new orchards won't yield significant harvests until after September. Chocolatiers are scrambling to keep up. "It feels like it came out of nowhere," said Charles Jandreau, general manager of Prestat Group, owner of luxury UK chocolate brands, noting difficulties in sourcing kataifi pastry. The pistachio crisis comes on top of a global cocoa shortage, which has already driven cocoa prices to nearly triple due to extreme weather and disease. Chocolate producers have responded by shrinking bar sizes and adjusting recipes. FIX, the originator of the viral bar — called 'Can't Get Knafeh of It' — has expressed concerns over imitators misleading customers. The company only sells its bars within the UAE and limits sales to two hours per day. Still, competitors are racing to meet demand. 'We are just overwhelmed,' said Johannes Läderach, CEO of Swiss chocolatier Läderach. "We launched Dubai chocolate a few months ago, and demand just keeps skyrocketing." Source: Albayan Newspaper /FT Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco Is Finally Selling This Viral Chocolate, But Shoppers Can't Find It
Costco has finally started selling the viral chocolate that has taken social media by storm, but there's just one problem: Shoppers can't seem to find it. The item in question is simply known as Dubai chocolate, a luxurious treat made of milk chocolate, pistachio, and crispy kataifi pastry. The filling consists of a creamy pistachio-tahini paste, all encased in a rich chocolate shell. Its smooth, nutty, and crispy textures have made it a must-try for chocolate lovers. We've already addressed the scientific reason people love chocolate (hint: It's all about mouthfeel), so it's no wonder this treat is so popular. On February 2, an Instagram post from user @costcohotfinds revealed that one Michigan location is carrying a 41-piece box of Bouchard Dubai-inspired chocolates for $17.99, sparking excitement among fans. However, some commenters were quick to voice their frustration (or perhaps jealousy), with many saying they haven't been able to find the item at their local warehouse. "Costco Houston doesn't have these," one person lamented. Some hope their local warehouses will start stocking the treat soon, while others are worried that any available supply has already sold out. Read more: The Reason Why Costco's Kirkland Signature Products Are So Cheap Many people first discovered this chocolate in Dubai, where it became a sought-after souvenir. After a TikTok video of creator @mariavehera257 trying a bar from the Dubai-based chocolatier Fix went viral, Fix saw its orders soar from six orders per day to 100 orders per minute. Costco is making this kind of chocolate more accessible, but only for those like Instagram creator @costcohotfinds who are lucky enough to spot it at their local store. Costco is known for carrying trendy, limited-time products, but availability often varies by region, and these items can sell out almost as soon as they arrive. If demand for Dubai pistachio chocolate continues growing, more stores may begin stocking it, but there's no guarantee. For now, shoppers salivating to try this chocolate should check their local Costco frequently and ask employees about upcoming shipments. Until then, the search for the elusive Dubai chocolate continues. If you need a chocolate fix before you find it, try making your own homemade chocolate (using just three ingredients) to hold you over. Sprinkle in some chopped pistachios to get somewhat close to the real thing. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
