Going viral on social media can result in massive gross sales, or within the case of the newest dessert meals craze, a worldwide ingredient scarcity.
Dubai chocolate within the sweet bar type has been dominating the meals house on TikTok since final summer season. The candy deal with is made with milk chocolate filled with a creamy pistachio and knafeh (or kunafa, a crispy, shredded phyllo pastry) filling.
However this newest meals development to hit TikToker’s feeds has led to one thing greater than gross sales — a worldwide shortage of pistachios.
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The recipe’s creator, Sarah Hamouda, is the founding father of Repair Dessert Chocolatier. The model launched as a aspect hustle in 2021, per CNNimpressed by her “being pregnant cravings.”
However the surge in recognition could be traced to a December 2023 Asmr Teltok that has greater than 60 million views.
@mariavehera257 @fixdessertchocolatier WOW, JUST WOW!!! Cannot clarify how good these are! When a chocolate, a dessert and a bit of artwork meet that is what you get! ? “Cannot Get Knafeh of it,” “Thoughts Your Personal Busicoff,” and “Loopy Over Caramel.” Order on Instagram Chatfood or Deliveroo and let me know what’s your FIX? Instagram : fixdessertchocolatier #asmr #foodsounds #dubai #Dubassert ♬ Authentic sound – mariavehera257
The deal with’s most necessary ingredient, pistachio kernels, are largely grown in Iran or the U.S. Giles Hacking, from nut dealer CG Hacking, advised the Monetary Instances that within the final yr, costs have surged from $7.65 to $10.30 a pound.
Iranian pistachio producers advised FT they’ve exported 40% extra nuts to the UAE within the final six months than the whole lot of the earlier yr.
In the meantime, pistachio provides within the U.S. fell 20% from February 2024 to February 2025, in response to information from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios seen by Meals Navigator.
Handwritten sign up a retailer window asserting upcoming Dubai chocolate restock, Lafayette, California, March 25, 2025. (Photograph by Smith Assortment/Gado/Getty Pictures)
Farm Progress reported earlier this month that pistachio processors are “most likely at 90% bought proper now.”
Repair Dessert Chocolatier bars should not but bought within the U.S., however there are many spinoffs, from massive chocolate manufacturers like Lindt (its CEO lately advised CNBC the corporate “was shocked by the demand”) and mom-and-pop ice cream outlets serving up sundaes.
@natandirvadventures The Finest Candy Deal with @Hampton Chocolate Manufacturing unit #tampa #Foodie #foodtiktok #TampaDesSerts #hamptonchocolatefactory #dubaichocolate #placestoeatinta #thingstodointampa ♬ Blue – J Balvin
