Dubai chocolate made in Luxembourg

Known for its rich pistachio filling and crispy Kadaif noodles, this chocolate has recently captivated dessert lovers worldwide.

It all began with a video on TikTok, showing an influencer eating the chocolate. The video was viewed over 90 million times, and sparked world wide interest. Now, the trend has reached Luxembourg.

Since 1 November, a Luxembourg-based chocolate factory, located in the city centre, has begun offering its own version of Dubai chocolate. Nathalie Bonn, of the well-known Chocolate House, explained the local demand: "People come in asking for it, especially because we’re close to the palace. Tourists who’ve seen it abroad are eager to try it. At first, I found it odd, but now there’s so much demand. Many people can’t go to Dubai or find it elsewhere, so we decided to adapt."

Originally, Dubai chocolate was a rare treat, available only through Deliveroo at select times, making it both exclusive and elusive. The popularity of its unique Middle Eastern-inspired taste has led many chocolatiers to create their own versions, though the original recipe relies on long-standing, traditional ingredients of Arab desserts.

The key ingredient in Dubai chocolate, pistachios, has always been popular, according to Nathalie Bonn, who has been in the chocolate business for 17 years. What truly sets Dubai chocolate apart, however, is the Kadaif noodles – thin strands of dough that add a unique crispy texture. "It's very hard to find them right now," Bonn notes. "They're almost sold out everywhere, even abroad, making them extremely expensive. It's become quite the challenge to obtain them!"

Typically, Dubai chocolate is priced 4 to 8 times higher than regular chocolate, depending on whether it's made industrially or by hand. The high cost is largely due to the expensive raw materials, including the chocolate itself, as well as the product's overwhelming popularity. "It’s the demand and marketing that fuel the desire for it," explains Bonn.

But will this trend last? Bonn is apprehensive about its future. She’s offering the Dubai chocolate in small batches for now. "I think it will eventually fade, and something new will take its place," she adds.

How to make your own Dubai chocolate

For those who cannot afford this chocolate, or those who are simply dying to try it, you can easily make it at home.

Ingredients:

• 150-200 g milk chocolate
• 100 g Kadaif (you can buy it in Arabic grocery stores)
• 20 g butter
• 125 g Pistachio cream
• 1 TL Tahini (sesame paste; you can buy it in Arabic grocery stores)

Preparation:

Melt the chocolate

Cut the chocolate into small pieces, and melt in a bain-marie. Pour half into a mold, spread it evenly, and create a small 1.5 cm edge before letting it set in the fridge.

Prepare the filling

Cut the Kadaif into small pieces and fry them in butter until golden brown in the pan. Mix the Kadaif with the pistachio cream and the tahini in a bowl. Let it cool.

Fill the chocolate

Smooth out the filling into the shape and cover with the melted chocolate. Leave to harden in the fridge.

Optionally, for decoration, you can chop a few pistachios and sprinkle them on top, or melt white chocolate and make a pattern with it.

Video report in Luxembourgish