Forget cow's or goat's milk -- the world's first chocolate made out of camel milk from Dubai is all set to go on sale around the world.
The company behind the chocolate, called Al Nassma -- after the Arabic word for a cool desert breeze, said it wanted to be 'the Godiva of the Middle East' and is also in talks to expand into Arab markets, Japan, Europe and the United States.
Founded and owned by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Al Nassma company was formally established in October last year and in partnership with Austria's Manner, it manufactures the end product at its Dubai facility.
"Although camel milk is produced in many countries in the West Asia and North Africa, only Dubai has a facility which enables chocolate makers to produce a quality product.
"We aim to be the Godiva of the Middle East. It's a luxury product, so we will never be in supermarkets. The plan is to be in one mall in each UAE city," Martin Van Almsick, the general manager, was quoted by the media as saying.
Although a traditional staple for the Bedouin, camel milk is not produced on a large scale. There are currently two camel farms in the country and fresh camel milk is still very much a niche product.
All chocolates are produced without preservatives or chemical additives with a range of locally popular spices, nuts, honey -- which comes from Yemen -- and vanilla from Madagascar, according to the company.
"Camels' milk is seen as healthier than cows' milk, containing five times more vitamin C, less fat, less lactose and more insulin, making it a good option for diabetics and the lactose intolerant," Van Almsick said.
