Emirates Takes Artisanal Chocolates to New Heights

In the chocolate world, the United Arab Emirates is known as the birthplace of camel milk chocolate, created by the Al Nassma brand. That’s not the country’s only claim to chocolate fame, however.

Emirates, one of the two national airlines of the UAE, distinguishes itself among the world’s carriers for offering artisan chocolate as part of its signature meal service in all classes. In conjunction with the recent celebration of World Chocolate Day on July 7, Emirates revealed that it served its customers 45 million pieces of gourmet chocolate last year, including 122,000 large gourmet chocolate boxes for its First Class passengers.

The airline works with a rotating cadre of chocolatiers from around the world and is currently partnering with French chocolate maker Valrhona. Other chocolatiers in the rotation include Bateel, Coco Jalila, and Forrey & Galland from the UAE; Butlers from Ireland; Godiva, Canonica, and Neuhaus from Belgium; Pacari from Ecuador, and Hotel Chocolat from the United Kingdom.

The chocolate brands are selected based on several criteria, including their content; whether dark, milk or white chocolate; their forms and fillings; their taste and texture; brand recognition; current trends, and sustainable sourcing, Emirates said.

Valrhona created a bespoke luxury chocolate box for Emirates' First Class customers, which is offered after meals onboard. The newly introduced Emirates First Class dessert trolley, meanwhile, includes Valrhona Grand Cru chocolate truffles featuring Jivara 40 percent chocolate and Guanaja 70 percent chocolate; chocolate-coated madeleines; and desserts such as a crunchy milk chocolate cake with hazelnut praline, and a roasted banana, chocolate, and caramel cake.

“Partnering with Emirates underscores our shared values of excellence, attention to detail and a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences,” said Zeyneb Larabi, global travel retail director, Valrhona.

In addition to the 122,000 boxes of chocolates that First Class passengers took home last year, Emirates said that Economy Class customers were served 36.3 million chocolates, Business Class customers received 8.2 million chocolates, and customers in the newly launched Premium Economy Class were given 322,000 chocolates.

Across all classes, Emirates passengers can also choose from various chocolate desserts and hot chocolate from the menu. In First Class, desserts include chocolate mousse with passionfruit and a vegan chocolate pecan cake with whipped ganache. In Business Class and Premium Economy, customers can choose from a vegan onyx avocado chocolate tart, a creamy banana mango and milk chocolate dome, or a chocolate mocha marquise wedge drizzled in salted caramel. In Economy Class, customers can finish their meal with a chocolate and orange mousse or a milk chocolate caramel cake with a dollop of raspberry coulis.

In addition, Emirates serves chocolate candy bars in a snack tray, and offers chocolate lollipops to children during celebrations. Other chocolate offerings include 85 percent dark chocolate from Lindt in First Class goodie baskets, and both vegan and non-vegan chocolate snacks including M&Ms, chocolate cake, and chocolate mini treats in Emirates’ A380 Onboard lounge.

At the 39 Emirates Lounges in airports around the world, chocolate offerings include homemade Emirates chocolate ice cream, Costa Coffee hot chocolate, and several Emirates MasterChef chocolate creations, such as a white chocolate and passionfruit nectar cake, chocolate macarons, and dark chocolate cake.