SNA’AP Chocolates Launches Abu Dhabi-Inspired Bar, Highlighting Local Flavors And Heritage
SNA’AP Chocolates has unveiled its latest creation, the Abu Dhabi Chocolate, a new addition to its series of city-inspired chocolates. Conceptualized by Chef Nouel, the same chef behind the viral Dubai Chocolate bar, the Abu Dhabi Chocolate pays homage to the UAE’s capital, reflecting the city’s cultural richness, heritage, and evolving identity. The launch is an exclusive collaboration with Rain Café, a homegrown Emirati brand with which Chef Nouel has partnered for six years. The bar is available exclusively at Rain Café outlets in Abu Dhabi starting November 7.
The Abu Dhabi Chocolate combines saffron and cardamom, evoking deep, aromatic flavors that aim to capture the timeless essence of the city. Tahina and dates provide smooth, earthy notes rooted in local culinary tradition, while a “nostalgic crunch” layer introduces a textural element meant to resonate with cherished memories. Each component is deliberately chosen to mirror the hospitality and warmth of Abu Dhabi, offering consumers a multisensory experience that is at once luxurious and distinctly local.
This release aligns with SNA’AP’s ongoing mission of creating chocolates that tell a story of place. Previous launches include festive and seasonal offerings such as the Mumbai Chocolate for Diwali, blending cashew, saffron, and kataifi, as well as seasonal variations like the Ube Baklava bar released earlier this year. The brand has cultivated a reputation for artisanal, narrative-driven confectionery, presenting limited editions that often celebrate Middle Eastern culinary traditions through a contemporary chocolate lens.
Market Context And Brand Positioning
SNA’AP operates in the UAE’s competitive premium chocolate sector, where global brands like Cadbury and Galaxy dominate the mainstream market, each commanding around a tenth of consumer preference. Premium brands such as Lindt and Kinder follow closely.
In the direct-to-consumer segment, SNA’AP faces rivals including Chocolala and Le Chocola, which collectively account for a significant share of online sales. SNA’AP’s collaborations with local cafés and seasonal exclusives position it in the niche of artisanal, culturally-rooted offerings.
Local competitors, such as FIX Dessert Chocolatier, Mirzam, Coco Jalila, and Läderach, frequently launch limited-edition bars and innovative flavor profiles, often inspired by regional tastes or seasonal motifs, reflecting an active and creative market environment.
Industry Trends And Themes
City- and culture-inspired flavors: Chocolates increasingly reference local heritage. SNA’AP’s Abu Dhabi Chocolate, Coco Jalila’s Pistachio-Kunafa bars, and FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s Karak-flavored bars illustrate this trend.
Limited editions and seasonal launches: Many brands release products tied to holidays or events, such as Mirzam’s Ramadan dates bars, Armani’s seasonal chocolate eggs, and SNA’AP’s Diwali Mumbai Chocolate.
Fusion of traditional and modern flavors: Combining local ingredients with classic chocolate techniques, e.g., saffron, tahina, and dates in SNA’AP’s bars, or Mirzam’s Spiced Chocolate collection blending rare peppers with cashew honeycomb.
Health-conscious indulgence and traditional sweetness: Dates are increasingly used in chocolate, valued not only for their naturally rich sweetness but also as a traditional Middle Eastern sweetener with cultural significance. Some brands, like Zadina, use dates as a natural alternative to refined sugar, while Mirzam’s offerings—Dates, Figs & Star Anise and Dates & Pomegranate in 65% dark chocolate—combine this heritage ingredient with premium chocolate, blending tradition with mindful indulgence.
Experimental flavor profiles: Tropical fruits, popping candy, matcha, and unique Middle Eastern blends appear frequently, reflecting a drive to innovate beyond standard chocolate profiles. Middle Eastern-inspired flavors include SNA’AP’s saffron, tahina, and dates in the Abu Dhabi Chocolate; Coco Jalila’s Pistachio-Kunafa bars; FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s Karak-flavored creations; and Mirzam’s Dates, Figs & Star Anise chocolate bars. Other examples include FIX’s Mango Passionfruit bars and Läderach’s Matcha marbled FrischSchoggi.