Dubai chocolate ranked: Are knock-offs as good as the original?

Dubai chocolate was one of the biggest trends of the last year. Created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier, the popular treat consists of a chocolate bar filled with pistachio and kunafa, giving it a unique crunchy green texture inside.

Since the sweet treat has gone viral, it has inspired many copycats, with variations appearing around the world. This includes the UAE – where they can be found in grocery stores, petrol stations and even the local baqala – ranging in different sizes and coming in at different price points.

So, to help clear the confusion, a team of The National's foodies have tested five Dubai-style chocolate bars (including the original) and given them our honest ratings in a blind taste test.

Dubai chocolate showdown: A blind taste test by The National

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5. Milk Chocolate Pistachio Kunafa Bar, Zokolat

Score: 1/10

Price: Dh30

Unfortunately, this bar (which we found at a local Adnoc petrol station, but it can also be purchased online) lacks any real semblance to the original Dubai chocolate except in name. In our opinion, the size is too small, there seems to be barely any kunafa inside the bar and even the chocolate has a bit of an artificial taste. For the pricing, it should come with way more, but at only 60 grams, it’s a bit disappointing.

4. Can't Get Knafeh of It, Fix Dessert Chocolatier

Score: 4/10

Price: Dh69

The original, called Can't Get Knafeh of It, may have drawn some mixed feelings, but it truly depends on your taste buds. Compared to the other bars we tried, Fix’s chocolate had a slightly lingering aftertaste of tahini, which some people might enjoy, but we weren’t big fans of. This will be a personal preference, though. The bar is available for order on Deliveroo in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

3. Dubai Chocolate, Fex

Score: 6/10

Price: Dh28

Although the name is awfully close to the original, Fex surprised with its version of Dubai chocolate. It is a well-balanced mix of chocolate and kunafa, although we disagreed about whether it had enough mix of pistachio (which again, will come down to personal preference). However, for the price point, it is a good deal for what you get in return. The chocolate bar can be found on Instashop.

2. The Pistachio DXB Kunafa, ChocoGlam

Score: 8.5/10

Price: Dh59

This bar from ChocoGlam lives up to the hype of what “Dubai chocolate” should taste like, but is noticeably on the sweeter end (which some will enjoy, while others may not). Also found at Adnoc petrol stations as well as online, ChocoGlam’s version of Dubai chocolate would satisfy most people looking to get their fix of the sweet treat. All of the ingredients are well portioned and everything tastes fresh.

1. The Big Daddy, Noon

Noon's Grand Daddy pistachio kunafa bar is made in collaboration with Vocca. Photo: Noon

Score: 9/10

Price: Dh40

It was a tough call, but Noon’s version of Dubai chocolate came out on top. Called the Grand Daddy, it packs a punch with every bite thanks to its bold mix of all the signature ingredients. We found the kunafa to be crunchy, the chocolate satisfyingly hitting the sweet spot (without going overboard) and the pistachio flavour standing out right away, tying everything together in one bite. Most importantly, it was the one we all agreed on deserving high marks. Made in collaboration with Dubai chocolate company Vocca, Noon has a range of Big Daddy sweets, which includes Baby Daddy, Big Daddy and Grand Daddy bars.

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The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.