The fever of Dubai’s so-called chocolate has been spreading all over the country. Driven by social networks, the phenomenon led to the immediate exhaustion of the product on the shelves of various supermarkets, as soon as it began to be marketed.
With a showy appearance, creamy fillings and an unusual combination of ingredients such as Pistatus and Kadayif pasta, chocolate quickly became a trend – not only by taste, but also for the appealing aesthetics that made it viral.
Among industrial versions and handcrafted variations, Portuguese brands now arise that responds to a growing demand for this Arabic -inspired sweet.
Dubai Chocolate Produced in Portugal
What began as a small cosmetics resale business would become, within a few years, one of the most unique handmade chocolate production projects in Portugal.
The responsible is called Maria Mendesis 28 years old and is born in Porto. In January 2025, he decided to create his own version of the well -known chocolate do Dubaitrend that was beginning to gain visibility in social networks and supermarkets.
Inspired by an international trend, Maria Mendes created in Porto a handcrafted version of the popular “Dubai Chocolate”. Produced without machines, the candy became a national success-and is sold for 15 euros the unit.
The store where everything happens is called Great Boti And it is in Praça das Floresin Porto. Originally dedicated to the sale of cosmetic gums and products, the space began to gain notoriety when Maria decided to bet on Artisanal chocolate.
The first attempts were not successful. Maria admits that the first chocolates “were horrible”.
But, with persistence and training, it was tuning the recipe until it reached the point that it aimed: a chocolate stuffed with Pistatus Cream e nourswithout artificial dyes and with creamy texture.
The production is done whollywithout any use of industrial machinery. Maria and her sister, Jessica Mendes, spend about 14 hours a day at the store, from 10am to midnight, with only one break to lunch. “It’s tiring, but we have more and more orders and we have to respond,” he told NIT in statements.
Family inspiration and food requirements
The idea of creating the product also arose from a personal need. The daughter of Maria, 10, suffers from dermographism e atopic skintwo conditions that make food especially sensitive.
“It was essential to create a chocolate that she could eat. So it was the first to test – and everything went well,” he said.
The formula was developed based on Belgian chocolatewhose ingredients are properly identified in the packaging.
Maria warns, however, that chocolate It is not suitable for celiacs Not even people with lactose intolerancedue to the presence of gluten in the Gaddayif mass and milk protein in chocolate.
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Competition with supermarkets boosted sales
The key moment happened when a supermarket chain launched its own version of Dubai’s chocolate. The Mari Boti store, located close to one of the brand’s establishments, was preparing for the worst-but ended up living its most influential day.
“When the supermarket product has sold out, many customers came to us looking for a more authentic version. That day we sell even more than usual,” Maria recalls.
According to the businesswoman, customers highlight the difference in texture, taste and general quality between industrial and handcrafted product. Despite the highest price – 15 euros for 200 grams – The product continues to exhaust daily.
Ruby version reinforces the artisan portfolio
In March, the store launched a new version of the chocolate, made with chocolate rubynaturally pink, without adding dyes. The news had immediate reception. “It was crazy. It has been one of the most sought after tablets,” Maria reported.
In addition to the original version, there are variations with fillings such as Nutella, Rafaello, Kinder Bueno or other ingredients on request. Each client can customize the fillingwhich gives the product an exclusive character.
Current production is around 60 tablets per daybut the demand has been growing. On days of greater movement, the number exceeds the 100 units soldwith part of the orders to be shipped to other regions of the country.
Scarce ingredients and production under pressure
The growth of demand has also brought some challenges. Essential ingredients such as the Pistatus Cream and nours They are becoming harder to acquire. Maria, however, remains faithful to usual suppliers to ensure product quality.
“Fortunately, we have been able to maintain the supply. But we have to plan well and make orders in advance,” he explains.
Of cosmetic seller to artisanal chocolate
The Mari Boti store was born during the pandemic, when Maria was unemployed to have to take care of her sick daughter. It started by selling Boticário products and later, with the help of the younger sister, began to include gums.
Despite finding some success, the entrepreneur felt that the project lacked the creative side. The passion for confectionery led her to look for training and bet on her own recipes-one of them would become a reference among Dubai chocolate enthusiasts in Portugal.
National expansion and deliveries by platforms
Orders can be made directly through the or by applications like Uber Eats, Glovo e Bolt Foodthese are available only to the Porto area.
Despite this, the store already sends to the whole country. “We have customers in Lisbon, Coimbra, Braga… We sent everything manually and we try the product to arrive in perfect condition,” says Maria.
Future perspectives and reinforcement of production
With the continuous growth of demand, Maria ponders Reinforce the team or increase the production space. The idea, however, is to maintain the craft character of the brand, even with more hands involved.
“We want to grow, but not lose what our special chocolates do: care, detail and production by hand,” he says.
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