As the Dubai Chocolate fad finally simmers down, this year’s Gulfood – the biggest ever as it's taking place across two venues for the first time – is showcasing a range of novel products and services. These include everything from healthy snacks and functional beverages designed to help hit our macronutrient needs, to nifty AI-powered solutions tackling food waste.
Here are eight trends we spotted that are set to become talking points over the dinner table in 2026.
1. Yerba mate caffeine fix
Some say this herbal tea is the new matcha, as Argentinian yerba mate is the cleanest source of caffeine (extracted using methods that avoid harsh chemicals), according to its proponents and producers who are at Gulfood this week.
Nesrin Kieschman, for example, who is showcasing her sparkling new beverage Mete in the first Gulfood Startups section at Dubai World Trade Centre, claims it gives you “steady focus” without the jitters or coffee crash. “It also has the molecule GLP-1, which keeps you full for some time.”
Yerba mate offers a hit of caffeine without the crash, claims Mete manufacturer Nesrin Kieschman.
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