_gif.gif)
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has announced the nationwide expansion of its "Dubai Style" dessert portfolio with the launch of the Dubai Style Chocolate Strawberry Bliss. Debuting across the brand's proprietary Chocolate and Ice Cream Shops, the new limited-time offering (LTO) represents a strategic effort to sustain the massive commercial momentum generated by the viral pistachio-and-chocolate flavour trend.
The introduction builds on the runaway retail success of the brand's original Dubai Style Chocolate Sundae, which reportedly sold out within hours of its initial launch last year. By updating the profile with fresh, seasonal fruit, Ghirardelli is transitioning a viral internet sensation into a reliable, seasonal footfall driver.
Productising Viral Social Media Trends
The foodservice sector is increasingly looking to digital platforms like TikTok to inform menu innovation. The "Dubai chocolate" trend, characterised by the rich, textural combination of pistachio cream and crispy kataifi pastry, has dominated the premium dessert market globally.
Lacey Zane, Vice President of Restaurant and Retail at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, noted that the rapid sell-out of the original sundae provided clear consumer validation. The brand recognised that the indulgent, sweet, salty, and crunchy profile possessed lasting commercial appeal beyond a fleeting social media moment, prompting the development of an extended menu platform.
Technical Formulation and Sensory Contrast
While the original sundae focused on heavy indulgence, the Strawberry Bliss variant is engineered to provide a lighter, contrasting sensory experience specifically targeted at the summer consumption window.
Key Technical Attributes Include:
Textural Layering: Incorporates fresh sliced strawberries to provide natural acidity and brightness, cutting through the richness of the brand's handmade hot fudge.
The "Dubai" Core: Utilises a proprietary blend of pistachio butter, crispy kataifi, white chocolate, and sea salt to deliver the signature umami and crunch associated with the trend.
Premium Finishing: Finished with whipped cream and barista chips, maintaining the high-visual aesthetic required for consumer-generated social media sharing.
Menu Architecture and Format Flexibility
Alongside the new Strawberry Bliss launch, Ghirardelli has refined the architecture of its core Dubai Style Chocolate Sundae. The original dessert is now being offered in both full-size and "mini" formats.
This sizing strategy is a critical B2B operational move. By introducing a mini variant, Ghirardelli is lowering the price and caloric barrier to trial, appealing to the "snackification" trend where consumers seek smaller, permissible indulgences throughout the day rather than committing to a full-sized dessert.
Barry Callebaut Announces Non-Cocoa ChoViva and Premium Cacao Max Innovations
Cargill and Voyage Foods Launch NextCoa Cocoa-Free Confectionery in North America
Meiji Launches Limited Edition Strawberry Fruit Chocolate in Japan
