The Dubai Chocolate Craze in DeLand
Earlier this year, sweet shops in DeLand embraced a delightful new trend: Dubai chocolate. This unique flavor, which has taken the area by storm, is characterized by its blend of rich chocolate, pistachio cream, and kataifi—an essential ingredient in the beloved Arabic dessert knafeh. Since its introduction, the Dubai-inspired offerings have kept the shops buzzing, quickly selling out within days.
The Trend Takes Off
The innovative dessert, originally a product of the UAE’s Fix Dessert Chocolatier, made its debut in 2022. However, it was in 2024 that it truly exploded across social media platforms like TikTok, captivating dessert enthusiasts and prompting a surge in popularity. The harmonious combination of flavors, especially the sweet and savory notes found in the pistachio and kataifi dessert, caught the attention of consumers in the U.S., leading to a remarkable demand. As a result, large-scale retailers began noticing the trend, contributing to a worldwide pistachio shortage.
Local Sweet Shops Join the Movement
Brittany Morelli, owner of Berryville Frozen Yogurt, noticed this growing trend and decided to jump on board. She began offering Dubai chocolate strawberry cups in February, which quickly became a sought-after item. “So many people call us. As soon as the phone rings at Berryville, I’m like, ‘I know they’re asking for the Dubai cup,’” Brittany shared. Her enthusiasm reflects the excitement surrounding this new culinary sensation.
Similarly, Melissa Brissey, who owns Sweet Spot, created a unique take on the trend after sampling a Dubai chocolate bar at a shop in Ormond Beach. Her Dubai chocolate sundae features a delightful blend of flavors—sweet, salty, and crunchy—and has proved to be a standout item on her menu. “I had no idea that it would go that crazy,” she admitted, noting the surging popularity of the dessert.
Challenges of Keeping Up with Demand
Maintenance of the momentum around Dubai chocolate has not been without its challenges. David Zangenberg, owner of Pat & Toni’s Sweet Things, initially hesitated to join the trend but faced encouragement from his staff. Upon introducing a variation of the original chocolate bar, he found that demand exceeded expectations. “They all were giving me a bunch of grief about, ‘Why weren’t we making them?’” he chuckled.
Despite his efforts to produce the bars in alignment with the original Dubai recipe, the process is labor-intensive, often resulting in limited availability. Each batch typically yields about 80 bars, which he posts on social media, prompting swift sell-outs within one to two days. “I think that the Dubai craze will continue until somebody is able to manufacture one that will become readily available at retailers like Walmart or Target,” he speculated.
Where to Find Dubai Chocolate in DeLand
For those eager to taste this exotic delicacy, DeLand has several locations serving up delightful renditions of the Dubai chocolate phenomenon:
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BerryVille Frozen Yogurt
- Address: 131 N. Woodland Blvd.
- Offerings: Dubai chocolate strawberry cups priced at $15.99, featuring a 16oz cup filled with strawberries, fried kataifi, warm melted chocolate, and house-made pistachio butter.
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Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things
- Address: 124 N. Woodland Blvd.
- Offerings: Jumbo Dubai chocolate bars available for $22, weighing 7 to 8 oz (almost half a pound) in both milk and dark chocolate varieties.
- Sweet Spot
- Address: 1200 N. Woodland Blvd.
- Offerings: Dubai chocolate sundaes for $7.99, constructed with vanilla ice cream, toasted phyllo dough, chocolate hard-shell topping, pistachio cream, and house-made whipped cream.
This flavorful addition to DeLand’s sweet scene reflects not just culinary ingenuity but also the excitement of local businesses adapting to emerging food trends. As the love for Dubai chocolate continues to bloom, dessert enthusiasts can enjoy an array of innovative dishes that celebrate this exotic flavor combination.
