Gold in your water, chocolate in your hummus, and popcorn that forgot what sugar is — Gulfood 2026 is full of surprises. The show, stretching across Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City, has doubled in size this year, and so has its creativity. From wellness-led experiments to playful twists on everyday staples, here are 10 standout foods that caught our eye at the world's largest food event.
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1. Protein Water
Brand: Liife
Liife combines protein and refreshment in a lightly sparkling, fruit-infused water. Each bottle delivers 10 grams of clear whey protein and comes in flavours like lemon ginger, blood orange ginseng, and raspberry peach — perfect for a post-workout boost without the heaviness of a shake.
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2. Chocolate and Spinach Cookies
Origin: South Africa
Healthy hides in plain sight with these cookies made from wheat and chickpea flour, coconut oil, and spinach. Free from artificial colours, sweeteners, and preservatives, the brand behind them supports 93 women and plans to involve youngsters in farming projects, keeping the community engaged.
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3. Sugar-Free Caramel Popcorn
Brand: Nekked Pop / Zerup
Caramel popcorn with zero sugar, artificial flavours, or colours. Sweetened naturally with monkfruit, it's part of a range of zero-calorie, zero-sugar drinks — including cola, white peach soda, and grape soda — all from this Singapore-based brand.
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4. Gold-Flake Water
Brand: Ocard
Taking hydration to a luxurious level, this mineral water is sprinkled with 24-karat gold flakes. Produced at one of Europe's oldest gold-mining plants, the bottles are displayed on a rotating stand to keep the flakes floating. Fancy a sip? Each bottle sells for around Dhs360 in the US.
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5. Chocolate Hummus
Brand: Liviano Foods
Yes, chocolate hummus is real. Liviano's blend of cocoa, protein, and fibre works as a dessert, dip, or spread — and is already earning attention as a Gulfood Innovation Award nominee.
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6. Ready-to-Use Frozen Onion
Brand: Holzmann
Peeling, chopping, and caramelising onions just got optional. Holzmann's frozen natural caramelised onions come in 4mm portions, fully cooked and slowly reduced for natural sweetness. 1 kg replaces up to 6 kg of raw onion — a serious time saver for busy kitchens.
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7. Morel Mushrooms in Honey
Brand: Wild Bee Honey
Wild Bee Honey has turned its fruit-preserving skills toward honey, creating a striking product. Morel mushrooms, moringa, and saffron are preserved in honey, producing natural, sweet, slightly earthy bites. The product is a finalist in Gulfood's Innovation Awards for best health and wellness.
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8. Nutritional Yeast
Flaky, parmesan-like yeast bites that are UV-treated to add vitamin D. One spoon delivers 300% of your daily dose, plus B12. Great sprinkled on anything savoury, it's an easy way to boost protein and fibre without any baking required.
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9. Fruit Bouquet
If flowers aren't your thing, try a bouquet made entirely of fruit. At North Hall 12 and 13, blackberries, lychee, strawberries, and grapes are arranged to mimic the UAE flag — art you can actually eat.
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10. Collagen Strip
Brand: Co Nature
Co Nature has turned collagen into a quick, portable hit. Their single-strip product goes under the tongue for an instant boost, while their Rootiva drink — with carrot and broccoli extracts — supports hair growth and general nutrition.
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Event Details:
- Location: Venue 1, Dubai World Trade Centre - Dates: January 26–30 - Time: 10am to 6pm - Website: gulfood.com
