World Chocolate Day: UAE expats share sweet nostalgia and local discoveries

Dubai: It's Monday...deadlines looming, stress building. "Do you need a chocolate?" asks my colleague casually. That single bite delivers an instant dopamine rush, chocolate's superpower that transforms anxiety into smiles and Monday blues into manageable moments. Growing up, crispy wafer chocolates were my weakness, that perfect marriage of crunch and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness that defined childhood comfort. But here's the beautiful irony of expat life: the very chocolates that once defined home become impossible to find, while unexpected local treasures emerge as new sources of comfort.

On this World Chocolate Day, we asked Gulf News readers a simple question: What chocolate from home do you miss most, and what local UAE treat has become your new comfort food? The responses flooded in, painting a delicious picture of nostalgia and newfound favourites.

For many expats, chocolate isn't just a sweet treat, it's a direct connection to childhood memories and distant shores. "I miss Venezuelan chocolate, Savoy, still the best chocolate I've ever eaten," shared one reader, while another lamented, "Nothing out there tastes quite as creamy or perfect as an Irish Dairy Milk."

The European contingent was particularly vocal about their favourites. "Milka!" came the enthusiastic cry from one reader, while Austrian expat Tereza Bäck revealed her secret: "Zotter chocolate – bean to bar made in Austria! I always bring bag provisions until someone comes to visit us or we travel to Austria."

English Cadbury's dominated many responses, with readers specifically missing discontinued varieties like the Peanut Caramel Crisp, Mini Eggs Chocolate Cartons, and the original Three Musketeers bar with its strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla segments. The pain of discontinued favourites runs deep. These aren't just chocolates, they're pieces of home that can never be replaced.

Indian expats showed their diversity with mentions of "Perk, Amul, Munch," and one reader's nostalgic note: "Not chocolate but I miss Amul butterscotch tricone ice cream." Meanwhile, Mexican heritage shone through with "Mexican hot chocolate abuelita with a concha (sweet bread)."

But here's where the story gets interesting – UAE residents aren't just dwelling on what they've lost. They're discovering new obsessions that rival their childhood favourites.

Dubai chocolate has become the current sensation, with its viral pistachio-filled bars taking social media by storm. This local phenomenon has captured hearts and taste buds across the Emirates, proving that innovation can create new comfort foods.

Swiss chocolate brand Läderach has garnered devoted followers among expats seeking premium quality, while Godiva's dark chocolate continues to maintain its luxury appeal. The UAE's chocolate scene has expanded dramatically, with brands like Patchi offering Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, and local chocolatiers like Mirzam creating bean-to-bar experiences using regional ingredients. For those seeking familiar international brands, the UAE offers a wide range of options, from Belgian Leonidas to American Hershey's. Lindt remains a shopping mall staple, while Ferrero Rocher continues to be the go-to gift chocolate for special occasions.

One reader found solace in an unexpected place: "My replacement here is a hot chocolate that sells out of a villa only during wintertime, rk.theoriginal." This perfectly captures how expats adapt – finding new sources of comfort in unexpected places.

The trend toward premium chocolate is evident, with many readers gravitating toward artisanal options available in Dubai's bustling chocolate scene. From the gold-dusted creations in Dubai Mall to the innovative flavours at local chocolatiers, the UAE has become a chocolate lover's paradise. Some readers have embraced fusion flavours unique to the region, kunafa chocolate being a prime example of how traditional Middle Eastern desserts have been reimagined in chocolate form.

It's clear that while our tastes may evolve and adapt to new environments, the fundamental comfort that chocolate provides remains universal. Whether it's the familiar taste of home country favourites or the excitement of discovering Dubai's latest chocolate trend, expats in the UAE are proving that comfort food can be found anywhere, sometimes it just takes a little exploration and an open mind.

What is your chocolate story? Share your favourite comfort chocolate from home and your recent discovery in the UAE on our social platforms.