Gold in your water, chocolate in your hummus and popcorn that forgot what sugar is – Gulfood 2026 is full of cool ideas no one saw coming
Gulfood 2026 foods are bigger, louder and and more (creatively) strange – in the best way. With the show stretching across Dubai World Trade Center and Dubai Exhibition Center, the world’s largest food event has doubled in size, and so has its imagination. From wellness-led experiments to playful twists on everyday staples, here are some of the standout finds spotted this year.
Protein water
Liife has combined 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.
Chocolate and spinach cookies
Healthy hides in plain sight with these cookies from a South African company. Made from wheat and chickpea flour, coconut oil and spinach, they’re free from artificial colours, sweeteners and preservatives. Bonus: the business supports 93 women and is planning to involve youngsters in farming projects, keeping the community engaged.
Sugar-free caramel popcorn
Nekked Pop from Zerup is caramel popcorn with a twist: zero sugar, artificial flavours or colours. Sweetened naturally with monkfruit, it’s part of a bigger range of zero-calorie, zero-sugar drinks including cola, white peach soda and grape soda – all from the Singapore-based brand.
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Gold-flake water
Ocard is taking hydration to a whole new level with mineral water sprinkled with 24-karat gold flakes. Produced in one of Europe’s oldest gold-mining plants, the Uzbekistan-based brand displayed the bottles on a rotating stand at Gulfood to keep the flakes floating. Fancy a sip? Each bottle sells for around Dhs360 in the US.
Chocolate hummus
Image: Liviano Foods website
Yes, chocolate hummus is real. Liviano’s blend of cocoa, protein and fibre works as a dessert, dip or spread, and it’s already earning attention as a Gulfood Innovation Award nominee.
Ready-to-use frozen onion
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. One kilogram replaces up to six kilos of raw onion — a serious time saver for busy kitchens.
Morel mushrooms in honey
Wild Bee Honey has turned its fruit-preserving skills to honey, and the results are striking. Morel mushrooms, moringa and saffron are all preserved in honey, creating natural, sweet and slightly earthy bites. Each is a finalist in Gulfood’s Innovation Awards for best health and wellness product.
Nutritional yeast
These flaky, parmesan-like yeast bites pack a punch. 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 baking.
Fruit bouquet
If flowers aren’t your vibe, 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 eat.
Collagen strip
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, is aimed at hair growth and general nutrition.
Location: Venue 1, Dubai World Trade Centre
Times: January 26–30; 10am to 6pm
Contact: gulfood.com
Images: Khaleej Times/Official websites/Instagram
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