Dubai chocolate is known for its milky chocolate on the outside, pistachio cream on the inside, and crunchy kadayif. It is popular because of social media, which has given rise to a new food trend all over the world. At ₱480 per 100 grams, its homemade recipes have also become trendy.
But there is a problem. The demand for pistachios has increased, so many countries have expanded their cultivation. In Spain, cultivation has increased fivefold since 2017. It takes more than 10,000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of pistachios, which is causing water shortages in some areas.
Even matcha from Japan has been affected by excessive demand. Once used in traditional ceremonies, it is now made into superfoods like matcha lattes and chocolate. Prices have risen, and there is a shortage of supply, especially for the local market.
Quinoa in the Andes, Peru and Bolivia, has also caused problems. High prices have made it impossible for locals to afford to grow their own food. Farmers have been forced to shorten the growing season, which has led to excessive use of chemicals and soil depletion.
To avoid the impact of food trends, we must grow not only for the global market but also for the local one. Mixed crops are better than monoculture. It is also important that those promoting new foods are responsible for their impact on the environment and local communities.
