Dessert and Chocolate Trends: From Dubai Bars to Gelato — 2026-09-02
Taco Bell and Salt & Straw have launched a limited-time Churro Ice Cream Taco, signaling a continued trend of high-profile collaborations in the frozen dessert sector. Meanwhile, the industry is grappling with the aftermath of extreme cocoa price volatility, with major manufacturers like Mondelez facing legal scrutiny over shrinkflation practices while consumers navigate a market defined by premium, texture-heavy innovations.
Dessert and Chocolate Trends: From Dubai Bars to Gelato — 2026-09-02
Top developments
Taco Bell and Salt & Straw Launch Churro Ice Cream Taco
On September 1, 2026, Taco Bell announced the launch of two new dessert items in collaboration with Salt & Straw: the Churro Ice Cream Taco and the Choco Waffle Chiller. The $3.99 Churro Ice Cream Taco features churro-flavored ice cream, puffed rice, and a waffle cone shell coated in dark chocolate, explicitly targeting fans of the discontinued Klondike Choco Taco. This limited-time offer includes a "Tuesday Drop" giveaway, leveraging scarcity marketing to drive immediate social media engagement and foot traffic during the final days of summer.
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Mondelez Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Shrinkflation
Recent reports highlight growing consumer and regulatory anger toward major chocolate manufacturers for "shrinkflation" practices, where product sizes are reduced without price adjustments. A court ruling involving Cadbury owner Mondelez has drawn attention to these tactics, which are often justified by manufacturers citing the surge in cocoa costs. This legal pressure comes as companies like Mars and Mondelez continue to adjust bar weights to maintain margins despite fluctuating raw material prices.
Cocoa Prices Stabilize After Historic Volatility
After hitting a record high of $10.7 per kilogram earlier in the cycle, cocoa prices plummeted to a low of $3.24 in March 2026 before inching upward to $4.36 in June 2026. While this represents a significant drop from peak levels, prices remain historically elevated compared to pre-crisis standards. Manufacturers are now navigating a complex hedging landscape, with many having locked in high-cost contracts that prevent immediate retail price reductions for consumers.
Local view
No recent local-language media coverage or specific stakeholder statements from the past 7 days (after August 26, 2026) were available in the provided research results.
Context & numbers
The chocolate industry is currently defined by the lag between raw material costs and retail pricing. While cocoa futures dropped nearly 70% since last Valentine's Day, consumer prices have not seen corresponding relief due to production lags and hedging strategies. The market remains sensitive to "texture" trends, with pistachio and crunch elements driving premium pricing in viral segments like Dubai chocolate, even as mainstream brands focus on cost management through size reduction.
On the radar
- Limited-Time Availability: The Taco Bell x Salt & Straw collaboration is explicitly labeled as a limited-time offer for the "final days of summer," suggesting a rapid exit strategy to maintain brand exclusivity.
- Regulatory Watch: Legal outcomes regarding shrinkflation at major conglomerates like Mondelez may set precedents for how other chocolatiers adjust package sizes in response to ongoing supply chain pressures.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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