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£0.00Dubai Chocolate Trend: How It Sparked a Global Pistachio Shortage
Dubai, a city of endless innovation, has unexpectedly found itself at the centre of the world’s latest chocolate obsession: Dubai chocolate. In just a couple of years, this viral treat has not only captured the hearts (and taste buds) of millions but also sent international pistachio prices soaring and retailers scrambling to keep up with demand.
In this blog, we’ll dish out the story behind Dubai chocolate’s meteoric rise, the pistachio predicament it’s caused, some surprising nutty trivia, and how our own Pistachio Swirl Ice Cream brings all the joy with none of the shortage drama.
What is Dubai Chocolate, Anyway?
Dubai chocolate isn’t just a single chocolate bar—it’s a craze that started in 2021 when UAE chocolatier Sarah Hamouda, inspired by her pregnancy cravings, created a bar oozing with pistachio cream, tahini, and sweet, crunchy kataifi (think shredded filo pastry). Word spread quickly thanks to social media, and people started sharing taste tests, copycat recipes, and outright love letters to this ultra-indulgent treat across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
By 2025, Dubai chocolate had gone far beyond the Emirates—you’ll now find it stocked in everything from corner shops in the UK to supermarket shelves across Europe and viral croissants in LA.
The Sweet Impact: Skyrocketing Demand and the Pistachio Shortage
Let’s put things in perspective. The Dubai chocolate trend led to over 1.2 million chocolate bars sold in the UAE in the first three months of 2025 alone! As brands like Lindt, Trader Joe’s, and even high-street grocers in the UK raced to create their own versions, the demand for pistachios became nothing short of insatiable.
The result? A spike in pistachio prices from $7.65 to $10.30 per pound in less than a year, as reported by industry insiders. Retailers have even started limiting the purchase of pistachio chocolate bars because of supply issues. The world, it seems, just can’t get enough of that green gold!
A Perfect Storm: Why the Shortage?
Viral Demand: TikTok made Dubai chocolate a star, sending brands and bakeries everywhere hunting for pistachio paste.
Tight Supply: 2024 was an “off-year” for pistachio harvests, especially in California, the world’s biggest pistachio producer. The US crop was down 26% and most of the harvest was sold in-shell (more for snacks, less for chocolate), creating even less availability for the food industry.
Export Surges: Iran, the world’s second-largest producer, started exporting even more pistachios to the UAE to meet new demand, cranking up global competition for the remaining kernels.
Where Do Pistachios Come From, Anyway?
Pistachios have a rich, if slightly nutty, history:
Ancient Roots: Pistachios originated in Iran and West Central Asia and were a snack of choice as far back as 9,000 years ago.
Top Producers: Today, almost all commercial pistachios are grown in three main countries: the United States (mostly California), Iran, and Turkey—together producing nearly 88% of the world’s supply.
California Dominance: If you’re munching on a pistachio in Europe or the UK, odds are it came from California, which started commercial production in the 1970s and now accounts for about 98% of all US pistachios.
Nutty Facts to Impress Your Friends
Pistachios aren’t technically nuts! Botanically, they’re seeds from a fruit called a drupe—so in a weird way, they’re closer to mangoes and cashews than peanuts.
That satisfying crack? When pistachios ripen, their shell pops open naturally—a built-in freshness indicator.
Their green colour comes from healthy pigments called lutein and chlorophyll, which are antioxidants.
Pistachio trees are old-school survivors—they’re drought-resistant and thrive in low-water orchards.
From Dubai Chocolate to Next-Level Ice Cream:
Your Pistachio Swirl Sundae
So, what do you do when there’s a pistachio frenzy and everyone wants in? If you’re a café, a dessert bar, or a savvy catering operation in the UK, you look for clever (and delicious) products that deliver the experience without the headache of ingredient shortages. Boom—enter our Projuice Pistachio Swirl Ice Cream!
Why Choose Pistachio Swirl?
Our pre-portioned, frozen Pistachio Swirl Ice Cream is rich, vibrant green, and layered with a real pistachio nutty taste that stands up to the viral trends. It’s fuss-free, preservative-free, and lets you serve up pistachio luxury without worrying about global supply woes.
Build a Pistachio Swirl Sundae:
Start with a portion of Pistachio Swirl Ice Cream – just push the button!
Layer with crushed pistachios (if available – no judgment if you’ve only got almonds… the world really is running out).
Drizzle over white or dark chocolate sauce.
Add a handful of fresh berries for a pop of colour.
Top with whipped cream and a wafer – or go viral and crown it with a pistachio chocolate “bark” piece.
It’s easy, Instagrammable, and sure to satisfy those pistachio cravings all year long.
How Can Your Business Ride the Dubai Chocolate Trend?
Don’t get caught short—pivot to innovative, eye-catching desserts that offer all the flavour of Dubai chocolate with less stress about running out. Our range of pre-portioned, premium products (including smoothies, sundaes, milkshakes, and more) is designed for high-impact, low-labour, and ultimate customer wow-factor. You bring the creativity and the TikTok energy; we’ll bring the pistachio swirl.