Mit Trends ist das ja immer so eine Sache. Sie tauchen plötzlich auf, verschwinden irgendwann, und eigentlich weiß niemand so genau, warum das so ist. Besonders wenn das Ganze in den sozialen Medien stattfindet. Ungefähr so lässt sich auch der Hype um die Dubai-Schokolade erklären.
Noch vor etwa einem Monat warteten Dutzende Menschen vor der Lindt-Boutique auf die erste Lieferung. Das Ziel: eine der limitierten Tafeln zu ergattern. Und auch wenn man meinen könnte, die Begeisterung um die Schokolade sei zwischenzeitlich verflogen, so bleibt sie weiterhin beliebt. Und prägt nach wie vor manches Sortiment.
„Die Schokoladen sind jeden Tag ausverkauft“, sagt Nil, Verkäuferin bei „Anteplioglu“ an der Konstablerwache. Die türkische Ladenkette, die eigentlich auf Baklava spezialisiert ist, bietet die begehrten Schokoladentafeln an. Eine 100-Gramm-Tafel kostet hier 12,50 Euro. Besonders gefragt sei die Vollmilchvariante, aber auch die Version mit weißer Schokolade finde Anklang. „Wir werden alle zwei Tage mit Nachschub aus unserer Darmstädter Filiale beliefert“, sagt Nil.
Some customers come specifically because of the Dubai chocolate, others are spontaneously curious. “Oh, what is that?” or “Is that Dubai chocolate?” are typical questions, says Nil. But you don't have to wait in line here, at least not on this Monday morning. Although one might assume that the younger generation in particular is following the social media trend, the interest surprisingly extends across all ages. “It’s mostly young people, but actually almost everyone buys it,” says Nil.
The hype about Dubai chocolate has long since arrived at the Christmas market on the Römerberg. For example at the “Chalet de Chocolat” stand directly on the banks of the Main. Here a 100 gram bar costs ten euros. This also attracts people who actually wanted to resist the trend. Like Monika Zanick. With a mulled wine in one hand and the freshly bought chocolate bar in the other, she shakes her head. “Far too expensive,” she says. “But my daughter has been talking about this chocolate for days.” She still doubts whether the ten euros are justified.
Between the smell of mulled wine and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas market, other signs that advertise “Dubai tree striezel”, “Dubai waffles” or “Dubai crepes” catch the eye on the stands. You pay up to 8.50 euros for a crepe with pistachio filling. “Everyone wants to try it, the crepes are extremely popular,” says an employee at the crepe stand in front of the children’s carousel. At Eiserloh, roasted Dubai almonds cost 6.50 euros in a 100 gram bag. The age of the customers hardly plays a role.
There is also a big rush for Dubai creations at the bakery counter. The Bauder bakery chain, for example, offers “Dubai-Kreppel” for 2.45 euros, which are usually sold out well before closing time in the branch in the north end. “As a result, more customers generally come,” reports an employee. From December 13th, the Viennese bakery Heberer will follow suit: the so-called “Dubai-Schnitte” will be available in ten branches in Frankfurt for 3.95 euros. However, the bakery points out that supplies are limited.
If you prefer to try the chocolate spontaneously, you can find it at the checkout in Rewe on Oeder Weg, for example, and at a cheaper price: a 100-gram bar costs 5.99 euros. But you should hurry up here too, because the chocolate is often sold out. From December 16th it will also be available at Aldi and Lidl.
