Why tahini appears in Dubai chocolate
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. In pistachio fillings, a small amount can add savoury depth, reduce the impression of sweetness and echo flavours associated with Middle Eastern desserts.
Do you need tahini?
No. Many Dubai-style recipes use only pistachio cream and kataifi. Tahini is useful when the pistachio cream is very sweet or when you want a more complex roasted-nut profile.
How much should you use?
Start small. For a home batch with roughly 200 g of pistachio cream, 1–2 teaspoons can be enough to notice the sesame note without making it dominant. Taste before adding more because tahini brands vary in bitterness and roast level.
Texture effects
Tahini can loosen a thick filling. If that happens, add a little more cooled toasted kataifi rather than thickening with extra sugar. The finished mixture should mound on a spoon rather than run like sauce.
Allergen note
Sesame is a major allergen in many jurisdictions. If you serve Dubai chocolate to other people, identify tahini clearly and check every packaged ingredient for allergen statements.