Unveiling the Crazy Dubai Chocolate Hype in Kilchberg
Matteo is exhausted. The 17-year-old didn’t sleep a wink half the night – camping out in a folding chair outside the Lindt shop in Kilchberg. From half-past one in the morning, he held his ground. The high school student wanted to ensure he would secure one of the coveted bars called “Dubai Chocolate” being sold here on Saturday morning.
He is the first one to receive a ticket to enter the store under a shower of golden confetti. The first to be handed a pistachio-green package in a matching bag. And also the first to pay CHF 14.95 for 150 grams of Dubai chocolate.
Matteo becomes the man of the hour that media outlets swarm around on this crazy November morning. From SRF television to “20 Minuten,” “Blick,” “Watson,” a photojournalist from an agency, and even the NZZ, they all want a piece of him. So, he recounts his story repeatedly: the Dubai chocolate is a Christmas gift for a good colleague. No, he won’t resell the bar online. Yes, he’s aware of the Dubai trend. His mother once brought back a similar chocolate from the Netherlands. “I knew then: That’s ‘huere fein.’ I want to buy it.”
Free Chestnuts for All
But now he has to leave. He has a tennis tournament to attend. He says goodbye politely. Lindt & Sprüngli will thank him. The chocolate producer has gained an influencer in Matteo, who becomes famous nationwide for a few hours.
The PR stunt with “Dubai Chocolate” at the headquarters of the chocolate manufacturer on Lake Zurich is a complete success – and a welcome distraction from a class-action lawsuit in New York. Consumer advocates found excessive levels of cadmium and lead in two Lindt products.
Meanwhile, in Kilchberg, the world of chocolate is still intact. People patiently queue in the cold. Many have been waiting for hours until it finally kicks off at 9:30 am. There are 400 bars available, with each visitor entitled to a maximum of one. Families have an advantage.
The host is prepared. Long queues were also seen in recent days in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, and other German cities where Lindt first sold a limited number of its Dubai chocolate bars. In Kilchberg, employees in chocolatier costumes distribute Lindor balls, caramel bars, hot chocolate, and croissants. There are also chestnuts and popcorn. Children can warm up in a pavilion and engage in activities with paper and crayons.
A young couple with two small children take it in stride. They are at the back of the line. If they miss out, they will console themselves with other products in the shop. “And otherwise, it was a nice trip here,” says the man. They too will get their chance. But after an hour, the waiting area is cordoned off. Those who arrive late are out of luck. The “Dubai” chocolate is gone.
Sweet Angel Hair
Yet, the bar doesn’t actually come from Dubai, but from Aachen. The coveted pieces were handcrafted at Lindt’s site there. The premium provider didn’t invent this chocolate. It simply responded to a trend that began in Dubai in 2021 and captivated chocolate lovers worldwide: back then, British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda experimented with a new recipe – chocolate, pistachio cream, finely ground sesame seeds, and crispy Kadayif or angel hair: sweet pastry threads also used for Turkish Baklava.
Hamouda’s creation was a hit. The trend spread like wildfire on TikTok.
Imitators tried to make Dubai chocolate themselves. It’s not that easy. The hype is also a challenge for Lindt. But they are considering producing the bars mechanically in the future, said Lindt’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ernst Tanner, on the sidelines of the sale in Kilchberg.
And how does the bar taste?
At least the TikTok community agrees, just like the gathered Lindt executives who were also present on Saturday: “Wow!”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where did the Dubai Chocolate trend originate?
The Dubai Chocolate trend originated in 2021 in Dubai, where entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda introduced a new recipe that quickly gained popularity.
2. Will Lindt continue to produce Dubai Chocolate bars?
Lindt is considering shifting to mechanical production for Dubai Chocolate bars in the future to meet the high demand and streamline the process.
Conclusion
The Dubai Chocolate hype in Kilchberg showcases the power of trends and consumer demand in the world of luxury chocolates. As Lindt navigates this surge in interest, it’s clear that innovation and adaptability are key to staying at the forefront of the industry.