To some, the camel brings to mind nomadic desert travel, but to chocolate lovers, it may soon come to symbolize great taste. Dubai chocolate company Al Nassma, founded and owned by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, was established last fall and began producing premium camel’s milk chocolate for local Arab markets. According to the company, camel’s milk offers five times more vitamin C than cow’s milk, has less fat and less lactose and more insulin, making it a good option for diabetics and people who are lactose intolerant. The preservative-free product line consists of five flavored 70-gram bars, including Arabia, delicately flavored with local spices; Camel Milk Date bar; Macadamia Nut and Orange Zest; and a 70 percent Cocoa and Whole Milk bar. A line of pralines are filled with pistachio, nougat or coffee cream. Al Nassma’s showcase product is its gold-wrapped, hollow chocolate camel, available in two sizes, 130 and 730 grams.

With some 3,000 camels on its Dubai farm, the company’s goal is to produce 100 tons of premium chocolate a year, expanding its sales to Europe, Japan and the U.S. Currently, the product line can be ordered online at www.al-nasma.com.—Nicole Denis