Online Reporter
THE story of the viral sensation known as Dubai chocolate is a remarkable demonstration of how traditional regional flavours can captivate a global audience through the power of digital storytelling. Its origins are rooted not in a corporate boardroom, but in the personal cravings of Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian entrepreneur based in Dubai.
In 2021, while pregnant, she sought a confection that combined the luxurious snap of high-end chocolate with the nostalgic, textured richness of Middle Eastern desserts — specifically knafeh. Partnering with Chef Nouel Catis Omamalin, she launched Fix Dessert Chocolatier, introducing the now-iconic “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” bar. This creation featured a thick, “chonky” shell of milk chocolate encasing a vibrant green filling of premium pistachio cream, tahini, and toasted kadayif, a shredded phyllo pastry that provides a signature, audible crunch.
What began as a boutique operation producing just a handful of bars a day soon exploded into a worldwide phenomenon. The evolution of the trend was accelerated by social media influencers whose sensory “ASMR” videos of breaking the thick chocolate bars reached hundreds of millions of viewers. This unprecedented demand caught the attention of the world’s most venerable confectioners, leading to the birth of the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate.
Recognising the appetite for this specific flavour profile, Lindt’s Master Chocolatiers applied their 175-year heritage of Swiss craftsmanship to the recipe. They refined the concept, ensuring the signature melt-of-the-mouth quality of Lindt milk chocolate was perfectly balanced with a rich, 45 percent pistachio paste and the essential crispness of kadayif pastry threads, resulting in a sophisticated interpretation of the viral original.
As this global craze travelled from the artisanal shops of the United Arab Emirates to the premium boutiques of Europe and North America, it eventually found its way to the heart of Matabeleland. The arrival of such a prestigious and sought-after product in Zimbabwe marks an exciting moment for local confectionery enthusiasts. We are proud to announce that this global masterpiece is now available at So Sweet, our dedicated shop located in Bulawayo. By bringing the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate to our shelves, we aim to offer our customers a direct taste of international innovation, combining the historic excellence of Swiss chocolate with the exotic, textured allure of Dubai’s most famous culinary export.
Visiting So Sweet in Bulawayo allows you to experience this evolution first-hand, bypassing the need for international travel or viral-induced envy. Whether you are a long-time fan of the Lindt brand or a curious follower of food trends, the Dubai Style bar offers a unique sensory journey that celebrates both tradition and modern creativity. We invite you to discover the symphony of textures — from the initial silky smoothness of the chocolate to the nutty creaminess of the pistachio and the final, satisfying crunch of the pastry — all waiting for you in our shop.
