Global Sweets Are Now Chosen for “Texture” | Dubai Chocolate, Croffles, and the Reimport of Japanese Ingredients

Information current as of September 2, 2026.

Surprisingly, the keyword now driving cafes and patisseries around the world is not “flavor.” “Texture” is the answer. In global confectionery trend surveys, about 70% of consumers say that sweets with interesting textures are what bring joy, and in 2026, “multi-layered texture sweets” that combine crispness, melt-in-the-mouth softness, and chewiness are becoming the stars of the world.

Three things drawing lines around the world right now

1. Dubai Chocolate — A chocolate from the Middle East filled with pistachio paste and kadaif, a thin, thread-like pastry. The social media-driven global boom is now spreading to cheesecakes and drinks. It has become synonymous with a crunchy texture.

2. Croffle — A hybrid from Korea, made by baking croissant dough in a waffle mold. Crisp on the outside and moist inside. Overseas menus are drawing attention for variations paired with cheese cream or biscuit crumble.

3. Matcha Tiramisu and Mango Bingsu — Japanese matcha and Italian tiramisu, Korean shaved ice bingsu and mango--cross-border "fusion sweets" are appearing across overseas trend forecasts. What deserves attention is that Japanese ingredients, such as matcha, yuzu, and miso caramel, are at the center of recipes around the world. Japanese ingredients are now admired by pastry chefs worldwide.

Cafes are becoming places for self-care

Another current is the changing role of sweets. Global consumer surveys report a growing tendency to choose desserts and ice cream as “a mental break or a treat for oneself.” Even amid a mood of saving money, people do not want to give up that one plate at a cafe. The “less, but better” trend we recently discussed is working in the direction of valuing small rewards in daily life even more.

When choosing a cafe for the weekend, try looking at the menu with two ideas in mind: “layers of texture” and “Japanese ingredients × global recipes.” Your usual plate can become a small trip around the world.

Source: Compiled by the editorial team from 2026 food and confectionery trend analyses published by Technomic, Innova Market Insights, Taste Tomorrow, and others.