STORIES IN THE MAKING
Why Dubai Chocolate Is Taking the World by Storm — And How SPX FLOW Supports the Process Behind It
In recent years, what began as a regional specialty from the United Arab Emirates has turned into a global dessert sensation. Dubai-style chocolate, rich layers of milk chocolate enrobing creamy pistachio, tahini, and kadayif pastry has gained global traction through viral videos on TikTok and Instagram. Today, chocolatiers, cafes and dessert brands worldwide are adapting this flavor profile across bars, beverages and pastries.
What Is Dubai Chocolate?
Dubai chocolate originated with Fix Dessert Chocolatier in 2021. The signature bar features a thick, sometimes colorful milk chocolate shell filled with a smooth pistachio–tahini cream and crispy kadayif (a shredded phyllo-like pastry). By 2023, it became a viral favorite, inspiring product innovation in premium confections across markets from Europe to Southeast Asia.
Why Is It So Popular?
The Dubai chocolate trend reflects several major dynamics in the food and beverage space:
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Viral Sensation Meets Culinary Craft
Videos from consumers and influencers highlighting these indulgent textures and fillings captured global attention. And while visual appeal sparked discovery, the taste and quality kept the trend growing.
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Unique Flavor Pairings
Dubai chocolate combines sweet and savory in a way that feels fresh — pistachio, tahini, and kadayif offer a Middle Eastern twist on familiar formats for a bold new take on chocolate.
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Cross-Format Innovation
What started as a simple chocolate bar has evolved into beverages, desserts, and snackable confections - opening doors across multiple product categories.
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Regional Demand and Premium Growth
Chocolate consumption in the UAE and wider Gulf region continues to grow, particularly in premium segments. And Dubai’s role as a culinary innovation hub continues to reinforce this trend.
Behind the Scenes: Pumping Challenges in Chocolate Production
The consumer story is compelling, but industrial producers know that creating filled chocolate products at scale is a challenging technical process. And the equipment used can make or break the final product.
Pumping Chocolate: Why Application Expertise Matters
At SPX FLOW, we support food and confectionery manufacturers with a broad portfolio of pump technologies designed to handle challenging products such as chocolate, nut-based fillings and semi-solid inclusions.
However, chocolate pumping is not a one-size-fits-all application. Achieving consistent performance requires strict adherence to system design principles and carefully selected pump configurations—particularly when dealing with high-viscosity products, temperature sensitivity and delicate textures.
Pump Selection in Chocolate Applications: What Really Matters
While our TopGear™ internal gear pumps are widely used for chocolate handling and transfer duties in cacao mass production, TopLobe™ and TopWing™ rotary lobe pumps are typically applied in filling and chocolate coating processes. Understanding how each technology fits, and its limitations is essential for long-term success.
Handling Chocolate, Cacao Mass and Fillings with Care
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TopGear™ internal gear
are a proven solution for chocolate transfer applications. A simple, robust design, along with the ability to handle extremely high viscosities and require a single shaft seal make these pumps highly reliable. Jacketed versions provide a continuous, steady flow for chocolate processes that do not require CIP capability. -
Sanitary rotary lobe pumps
(TopLobe™, TopWing™) are best suited for the transfer and dosing of fillings, particularly products containing particulates or those that are shear-sensitive, such as the fillings used in the Dubai chocolates.
Key takeaway:
SPX FLOW pump technologies supports both chocolate and filling processes, but true success depends far more on correct configuration and system design than merely on pump type.
Designing Systems That Perform Reliably
Chocolate is a complex medium, and consistent performance depends on careful attention to several critical factors:
- Early technical consultation and collaboration during the system design phase
- Correct pump sizing and operating speed
- Proper selection of internal clearances
- Use of heating jackets to maintain stable product temperature
- Application-specific shaft sealing solutions
Our teams work closely with customers to define these parameters at the outset. The objective is not simply to install a pump, but to engineer a reliable, low-maintenance solution that protects product quality and maximizes production uptime.
Conclusion: From Trend to Trusted Process
Dubai chocolate is more than a viral trend—it represents flavor innovation, cross-cultural inspiration and premium product development. As producers scale up to meet growing demand, success depends on the right equipment and expert technical guidance.
SPX FLOW pump solutions are proud to be part of this innovation journey. Our application expertise can help lead the way for food and confectionery manufacturers around the world to design smarter, more robust systems from the very beginning.
Because in chocolate manufacturing, the right process really does make all the difference.