Dubai Chocolate Craze: The Trend That’s Sweetening the World

In the fast-moving world of flavour trends, few have captured global attention quite like Dubai chocolate. What began as an aesthetic dessert style is now a full-on movement in cafés, bakeries, and food brands worldwide. This indulgent trend fuses luxury, Middle Eastern flavour heritage, and social media virality. Currently, its growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Let’s dive deep into what makes Dubai chocolate a must-watch trend, how brands are capitalising on it, and how you can craft your next standout product inspired by this sweet sensation.

The Global Rise of Dubai-Inspired Chocolate

Created by Sarah Hamouda in 2021, “Dubai chocolate” began in high-end boutiques and quickly became a global sensation. Thanks to TikTok influencers unboxing gold-tipped milk chocolate bar filled with silky pistachio cream, earthy tahini and crunchy shards of knafeh pastry, “Dubai chocolate” has evolved into a cultural export.

In the last year, we’ve seen a surge in global search trends for terms like “pistachio chocolate,” “gold chocolate,” and “tahini sweets”. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #PistachioChocolate has amassed over 200 million views, with creators praising its indulgent textures, unique ingredient combinations, and luxurious presentation.

Why it’s blooming:

This trend reflects a broader macro-shift in consumer behaviour:

What Makes Dubai Chocolate So Special?

Dubai chocolate stands out not only for its unique flavours but for its sensory experience. The combination of diverse ingredients creates a distinct balance of sweetness, savoury richness, and luxurious presentation.

How Brands Are Capitalising on the Craze

Major brands and innovative boutique chocolatiers are already leveraging the Dubai chocolate trend to expand their portfolios and meet the rising consumer demand for luxurious, culturally inspired desserts.

Costco: Offering pistachio gelato, tahini spreads, and flavour samplers, signalling mass-market interest in Middle Eastern profiles

Boutique Chocolatiers: In France, Germany, and the U.S., limited-edition collections are incorporating rose-infused ganache, date-paste centres, and gold detailing to create exclusive, premium offerings

Across Asia, brands are tapping into this trend and transforming it into consumer favourites:

Malaysia: Artisanal bakeries in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are selling out of pistachio cream croissants and chocolate cakes topped with edible gold. Some boutique chocolatiers are offering Dubai-style bonbons as festive gifts

Thailand: Upscale dessert bars in Bangkok are embracing the Dubai chocolate trend with pistachio-filled crepes, tahini-infused lava cakes, and rose-saffron chocolate mousse. These offerings blend Thai creativity with Middle Eastern luxury, catering to a growing market of dessert lovers seeking globally inspired indulgence

Flavours and Formats That Ride the Dubai Wave

Looking to tap into the Dubai chocolate trend? Here are some flavour concepts developed with expert market insights, ready to be customised for your next product launch:

At Metarom Asia, we don’t just follow trends. We help you translate them into successful, scalable products. With deep expertise in flavour development and a passion for innovation, we collaborate with brands to turn insights like Dubai chocolate into products that stand out in today’s competitive market.

Whether you’re launching a new dessert line, upgrading your beverage offering, or rolling out a seasonal SKU, we’re here to help bring bold, globally inspired flavours to your brand.

Contact us today at sales@metarom.my and let’s work together to create your next best-selling product.

Ramadan-Inspired Flavours: A Celebration of Tradition and Taste

Ramadan is a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal observed by millions of Muslims worldwide. During this sacred time, fasting from dawn until sunset is a core practice, and the evening meal to break the fast, known as Iftar, is a time for community, family, and the enjoyment of special foods and drinks. The foods consumed during Iftar are not only nourishing but are also deeply tied to cultural traditions, creating a rich tapestry of flavours that hold both symbolic and sensory meaning. This month, we explore three standout flavours that have become synonymous with Ramadan.

Featured Ramadan Flavours

Date – The Tradition Iftar Staple

Pistachio – A Nutty Delight Flavour

Rose Lime – A Refreshing Iftar Classic

Applications Ideas

Flavour-Boosting Recipes

These three flavors—Date, Pistachio, and Rose Lime—are not just delicious but deeply embedded in the traditions of Ramadan. Whether you’re creating new recipes or adding a festive touch to your existing lineup, our premium flavour solutions are here to inspire.

Contact us today at sales@metarom.my to explore our full range of flavours and innovative solutions for the food & beverage industry.

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This month, we’re diving deep into the captivating world of Okinawa Black Sugar, or kokuto, that is trending in the food and beverage industry. With its deep brown, sweet, and smoky taste, it stands out from the rest. Minimal processing preserves its naturally complex profile, making it a perfect choice for brands seeking innovation in their creations.

Okinawa Black Sugar: A Rich Culinary Heritage

Okinawa Black Sugar has deep roots in the 17th-century Ryukyu Kingdom, where sugarcane cultivation thrived thanks to Shinjo Gima, a man who learned sugar-making techniques in China. This unrefined sugar became a cornerstone of Okinawan culinary heritage, symbolising local identity. Today, it is highly valued for adding depth and complexity to various culinary applications.

A Culinary Journey Through Flavours and Traditions

While traditionally rooted in Okinawan cuisine, its rich flavour profile extends far beyond local dishes. This prized ingredient is a staple in Okinawan cuisine, enhancing desserts, snacks like Sata Andagi (deep-fried doughnuts), and drinks like Sanpin-cha (jasmine tea).

While traditionally rooted in Okinawan cuisine, its rich flavour profile extends far beyond local dishes. This prized ingredient is a staple in Okinawan cuisine, enhancing desserts, snacks like Sata Andagi (deep-fried doughnuts), and drinks like Sanpin-cha (jasmine tea).

Innovative Pairings

Okinawa Black Sugar complements spices for warmth, citrus for balance, nuts for depth, and chocolate for a rich, caramel-like complexity, making it a versatile ingredient in various flavour combinations.

Flavour Trends and Market Growth

The growing demand for natural ingredients is driving Okinawa Black Sugar’s popularity in confectionery, bakery, beverages, plant-based foods and even savoury applications, thanks to its deep, earthy sweetness.

Partner with Us

At Metarom Asia, we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality flavours. Let us help you craft innovative and delicious products that stand out.

Contact us today at sales@metarom.my to explore the possibilities of Okinawa Black Sugar and other unique flavours.

Discover Our Innovative Cocoa Booster

Chocolate enthusiasts and industry professionals alike are facing a complex situation. A significant cocoa bean shortage has emerged, impacting major producers like Ghana and Ivory Coast, who contribute over 60% of the world’s cocoa supply. This shortage has driven cocoa bean prices up by over 100% since last year, potentially affecting product availability and consumer costs. (source : Mintel)

However, innovation thrives in challenging times. Here at Metarom Asia, we are proud to introduce our groundbreaking “Cocoa Booster.” This solution allows you to create rich and decadent chocolate experiences while significantly reducing reliance on cocoa beans.

Product Description

Here’s how Cocoa Booster Flavour can benefit you:

Increased Profit Margins: Reduce your dependence on expensive cocoa powder while maintaining the taste your customers love.
Enhanced Flavour Profile: Achieve a richer, more complex chocolate experience for a truly indulgent product.
Improved Consistency: Enjoy consistent flavour every time, ensuring your products meet the highest quality standards.

Ready to experience the difference that our Cocoa Booster can make in your products? Contact us: sales@metarom.my

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Metarom Asia : Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2024

Are you ready to experience our flavours? We are happy to invite you to MIHAS (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) that will be held on 17-20 September 2024 and visit our booth at Level 1, Hall 2, Booth No. 2A10. Our booth is conveniently located near the entrance with other well-known brands like Nestle and F&N, along with other local Malaysian brands making it easy to find.

We have tailored a wide range of applications in our booth, making it versatile for various industries. Here are just a few examples:

Shaved Ice: Experience a burst of our flavours in every bite, created exclusively by our expert flavourists. From classic Strawberry and Melon to bold Coffee and Caramel Popcorn, we offer a wide variety of flavours.

Mooncake: We conducted a special project to develop these unique mooncakes filled with our own flavours such as Pandan, Caramel, Tea, and Mango. They are also crafted in halal-certified facilities, adhering to strict standards of hygiene and purity.

Tea and Mocktails: Our flavours can be used to create a variety of beverages, from aromatic and refreshing tea-based beverages like Peach Black Tea and Lemongrass Chamomile Tea to delicious non-alcoholic mocktails like Mojito + Apple Lime Mint and Jasmine + Raspberry.

We look forward to welcoming you to our booth at MIHAS, where you will have the opportunity to experience the future of flavour firsthand. Taste our innovative creations and learn about our customization options. To schedule a meeting or request more information, please contact us at sales@metarom.my and let’s create a flavour experience together.

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Metarom Asia 2023 Flavour Trend Of The Year : Spicy Caramel

According to historians the first caramels were made by the arabic nations in the year 1000 AD by mixing of sugar and water to form a crystalised candy. Many years later the caramel as we know it was developed with the addition of milk and fat into the boiling sugar water. In the recent years, this confectionary product has been added to a wide variety of food and beverage and industrials have developed many profiles such as toffee, salted butter caramel, cream caramel, dulce de leche and others.

Metarom Group has been producing specialty caramel (fillings, toppings, etc.) for the past 60 years. Our expertise in this category is giving us an advantage for the formulation of caramel flavouring.

Flavour preferences had shifted over the course of the pandemic. From classic and comfort food during lockdowns, consumers seek out more unexpected and exciting type of food in the post covid era. What more adventurous than spicy and hot flavours? Profiles such as chili, jalapeno, cinnamon, ginger are amongst the top flavours identified to bring sparks on the market. Initially restricted to savoury snacks, we are now seeing products launching that are bringing spices to surprising food and beverage across multiple categories.!

Metarom Asia 2023 flavour trend of the year draws its inspiration from the combination of the indulgence of caramel and the attraction of spiciness. It will fulfil the consumer desire for exciting, bold and adventurous flavour creation and makes your product stands out in the market.

Want to check out our Spicy Caramel and get samples? Contact us: sales@metarom.my