Review: The Trader Joe's version of Dubai-style chocolate is what we've been waiting for. Move over, other chocolates.

Review: The Trader Joe's version of Dubai-style chocolate is what we've been waiting for. Move over, other chocolates.

Along with its fantastic frozen foods, world-class cheese selection, and reasonable prices, Trader Joe's does a fantastic job of staying up to date with the newest culinary trends. The meal that has spent weeks stalking your Instagram or TikTok feed? It's waiting to be appreciated on the shelves of Joe's business. The local market is following the Dubai chocolate trend by bringing together lovers of flaky pastry and all things chocolate with Trader Joe's latest offering, a dark chocolate pistachio bar manufactured by Patislove in the Dubai style.

We got our hands on a couple bars as the stores were being loaded with them for the first time. The product, officially known as the "Pistachio Cream & Kataifi Filled Dark Chocolate Bar – Dubai Style" by Patislove, was introduced on Trader Joe's shelves the week of May 26. Is Trader Joe's setting the standard for all other high-end chocolatiers to follow, or is it just another instance of a popular product gone wrong? After reading our review, you may choose whether to continue with the traditional options or head straight to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to stock up on their newest chocolate addition.

What is the chocolate bar from Trader Joe's Dubai?

A variety of delectable confections are typically available in the Trader Joe's chocolate aisle, but this most recent addition undoubtedly elevates the selection. The ingredients for Patislove's Dubai-style pistachio dark chocolate bar include 50% dark chocolate, kataifi (filo dough) pastry, and pistachio cream. According to Patislove, each 100-gram bar is created in Turkey using these high-quality ingredients in small amounts. (Short notice: I've seen "kataifi" typed in a couple other ways online, but since Patislove's label uses this spelling, I'll stick with it.)

Kataifi, a crispy, nutty, syrupy dessert pastry from the area, serves as the primary source of inspiration for the chocolate bars made in the Dubai style. (Knafeh's main ingredient is likewise kataifi.) This chocolate bar stands out and raises the standard (pun intended) for high-end treats at Trader Joe's because to the crispy, crunchy texture of the kataifi. However, the kataifi only makes up a portion of the pie; the other half is a creamy pistachio filling. Last but not least, the crisp pastry and pistachio cream reside under a strong outer shell made of 50% rich dark chocolate, making the initial bite enjoyable and unexpected.

Cost, accessibility, and nutritional information

Trader Joe's is maintaining the price of this fashionable chocolate reasonably competitive, at just $3.99 for a bar, or roughly $1.13 per ounce, in light of the notable publicity that Dubai chocolate has recently received. (Other chocolate bars from Dubai will cost between $3 and $4 per ounce.) Chocolate fans from Dubai who also happen to be Trader Joe's devotees will be pleased to learn that this product is exclusively available at Trader Joe's locations in the United States.

Let's now dissect the nutritional information. The Dubai-style pistachio dark chocolate bar from Patislove weighs 100 grams, but only 25 grams is enough for one meal. 140 calories, 10 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of sugar, 8 grams of added sugar, and 3 grams of protein are all included in that serving.

Taste test

Let's talk about packaging before taste. Instead of being merely a paper wrapper, the box opens at the back with a clasp closure, inviting you to cut off a few squares, then close the box again and return to it at a later time. The chocolate bar itself is wrapped in gleaming gold, which adds to its unique and, dare I say it, stylish appeal.

Given that dark chocolate is typically thicker and heavier, I anticipated that it would be somewhat difficult to break when I initially opened the 16 pieces of chocolate, which are divided into four rows of four square pieces. It still had a nice snap, though, and broke very readily. The chocolate has a rich, rich flavor with deep flavors of roasted cacao beans and a hint of coffee, and it smells fantastic on its own, earthy and roasted. The kataifi is the true star of every bite, while the pistachio cream is delicate, sweet, and nutty.

The flaky crust adds a wonderful crunch, balancing the crunchy and creamy textures in every bite. My taste receptors were particularly drawn to the toasted flavor of the kataifi, though. The flavor of the pistachio cream lingers for a few lovely moments at the end, and every bite is a celebration of creamy, crunchy, smooth, and just a touch sweet. When the mood strikes—or even when it doesn't—it's worth purchasing in quantity to indulge in this chocolate.

Concluding remarks

Personally, I don't usually purchase chocolate by the bar when I go grocery shopping. Having a chocolate bar for mid-afternoon snacking or as a post-dinner treat isn't at the top of my list of things to nibble on, except from purchasing bars for baking. A chocolate peanut butter cup or something from the chocolate-covered pretzel category are my first choices when I'm buying something chocolatey to eat at home. Anything with a bit more activity. Nevertheless, the most recent addition to Trader Joe's chocolate section has completely altered my opinion in this regard. Simply put, the Patislove's Pistachio Cream & Kataifi Filled Dark Chocolate Bar - Dubai Style is a damn nice chocolate bar at a damn reasonable price.

I hope that this specific chocolate bar is here to stay, even though it might seem like a passing culinary trend that will rapidly come and go, engulfing us all in its flaky, chocolaty wave before leaving us in its wake. Trader Joe's prefers to maintain its shelves full of products that its devoted consumers enjoy because it pays attention to what they have to say. This delightful treat will be at the top of the request list for a long time if the rest of the Trader Joe's community shares my strong feelings about it. Few things are as thrilling to many of us as a new Trader Joe's snack, particularly if it turns out to be a good one. I'm not getting any less excited about this chocolate anytime soon. Joe, it's a keeper. It's a keeper.