In the Venn diagram of candy lovers and the chronically online, those in the middle intersection are particularly enamored by viral food trends and their ability to provoke excitement and curiosity. How many kinds of Swedish candy are there? Does a bowl of tiny pancakes make cereal? Why is this chocolate bar so expensive?
I overheard a guy at Walmart ask the last question out loud as he passed the display of Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate bars. At nearly $15 for a 5.3 oz bar, Lindt’s newest product boasts costly ingredients, eye-catching green packaging, and generally stylish vibe. Invented by a Dubai chocolatier and popularized by social media, Dubai chocolate is a milk chocolate shell filled with sweet pistachio cream and kadayif, or shredded cooked phyllo pastry. Lindt’s riff on the sought-after confection consists of Swiss milk chocolate made in Germany, with the addition of almonds, hazelnuts, and sugared pistachios in the filling.
So, is the bar worth the splurge? I guess you could say I’m still dubai-ous.
Look, I like Dubai chocolate, I like Lindt chocolate, and I’ve often wondered if I’m singlehandedly putting my local candy store owner’s children through college. Despite these truths, Lindt’s Dubai Style Chocolate Bar left me unimpressed.
The milk chocolate itself is wonderful—lushly silky, sweet, and creamy, with notes of caramel and vanilla that make its flavor distinctive.
The filling felt like a letdown, especially compared to the viral photos of Dubai chocolate that depict overflowing green goo like something out of a Nickelodeon cartoon. (Did the Rugrats Reptar Bar foretell Dubai chocolate? Discuss.) Lindt’s filling is a modest layer of sweetened pistachio paste rich with texture: gritty bits of nuts and threads of phyllo that remind me of crispy shredded wheat cereal. It tastes nutty, salty, and good, but the flavor is a mixed medley of almond, hazelnut, and pistachio—the latter of which should be the star. In the context of the Dubai trend, the almonds and hazelnuts add more filler than filling.
The milk chocolate outshines the filling. Even with a better chocolate-to-filling ratio, the filling would benefit from a substantial addition of pistachio cream to boost the pistachio flavor, balance creamy and crispy textures, and stand a chance against the chocolate’s unique taste.
The Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar is difficult to rate because, while a nutty bar of Swiss chocolate is always a pleasure, it does not fulfill the creamy, crispy, and pistachio-y promises of Dubai chocolate that—to some—justify the hefty price tag. If you are willing to part with the green in your wallet, look for a brand that provides more green filling in its chocolate.
Purchased Price: $14.97
Purchased at: Walmart
Size: 5.3 oz (150 g) bar
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 2 pieces, or 1/5 bar) 170 calories, 11 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.
If the Reptar bar foretold this, does that mean we’re getting Chocolate Cheese bars next?
Thank you for the great review and for inspiring me to walk around the rest of the day saying Halt! I am Reptar!
I forgot about the Chocolate Cheese bars! I wouldn’t be surprised if someone found a way to make them happen. 🙂 The more Rugrats references, the better!
Marry me, Erin!
Dubai chocolate is from Belgium and the bar I have, Oasis brand, is made in Canada. So I don’t get the hype.
Is there a brand that does this well? I’m dying to try it because I love pistachio and phyllo but don’t want to spend the money if it stinks.
I’ve only tried varieties from Rocky Mountain Chocolate and Oasis (small, pricey bar!) and enjoyed both more than the Lindt one. Would love to hear others’ experiences.
$15 and it’s mid? I guess I won’t be Du-buying this.
Got a laugh out of me
I like the Lindt Dubai bar but it is weak on filling.. But the other bars I’ve tried might have more filling but the chocolate tastes cheap. I’m waiting to try the TJ’s one with dark chocolate. I heard it will be back on shelves in September.
Thanks for the review. Now I don’t have to buy this Lindt bar. I never thought this flavor would wow me.
If it goes down to a regular price I might try it.
Why did they use so many almonds and hazelnuts? Neither should be in there.
for real… how dare you charge $15 for this and then cheap out on the ingredients?!
I don’t understand this fad, at all.
Honestly, I am not sure what I paid for 150g bar of milk chocolate Lindt Dubai style. The milk chocolate was the overwhelming flavour. The pistachio and Kadaif was underwhelming. I would not waste my money again.