WASHINGTON, D.C. — Trader Joe’s is jumping into the Dubai chocolate craze, confirming that its own version of the wildly popular treat will hit shelves the week of May 26.
The chain told PEOPLE and The Independent that although an exact date has not been announced, the much-anticipated “Pistachio Dark Chocolate” bars will arrive soon. Inspired by a viral dessert that took social media by storm in late 2023, the bars feature a rich pistachio cream and crispy kataifi — a shredded filo pastry — all wrapped in a dark chocolate shell.
The original version of the Dubai chocolate bar, created in 2021 by UAE-based FIX Dessert Chocolatier, includes milk chocolate, pistachio cream, tahini, and knafeh. It rose to international fame after TikTok creator Maria Vehera posted a video trying the bar, sparking a global craving for the luxurious dessert.
Trader Joe’s take differs slightly from the original. It replaces milk chocolate with dark chocolate and omits the tahini, but keeps the core elements of pistachio and crispy pastry. The bars will be made by Patislove, a chocolatier known for its handcrafted sweets.
According to a Reddit post featuring a screenshot of an apparent Trader Joe’s employee’s TikTok, the bars will retail for $3.99 — an accessible price point that has only fueled excitement online.
While the product is being released as a limited-time offering, Trader Joe’s has hinted that strong customer demand could bring it back. “If customers really love this product, we can certainly get more,” the retailer said to PEOPLE and The Independent.
Reactions online have been mixed. Some fans are thrilled to finally get their hands on the treat, while others expressed disappointment over the switch to dark chocolate.
“Oh good! I’ve been wanting to try this!!!!” one Reddit user commented. Another wrote, “Aw dark chocolate… I wish it was milk chocolate.”
Trader Joe’s isn’t the only retailer tapping into the trend. Costco has also launched its own version of the Dubai chocolate bar, signaling that the viral dessert’s popularity is far from fading.
Trader Joe’s has not yet responded to additional requests for comment.
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