Taste Test: A Review of Dunkin's New Pistachio Chocolat Doughnut

(SPOT.ph) The thing with food trends is that most tend to be short-lived—some only last a few weeks to a month; it’s rarer if they last any longer, rarest if there's a resurgence. Yet somehow, against all odds in this fast-paced world, the pistachio-kataifi craze has pulled off what felt impossible: a comeback that, dare I say, is stronger the second time around.

From the confection that started it all—that is, FIX Dessert Chocolatier's Can't Ge Knafeh of It chocolate bar, there came different desserts that followed its nutty, chocolaty, and crunchy path. Some came in the form of a naked chocolate cake poured with pistachio sauce; there was a croissant topped with chocolate, kataifi, and pistachio; there was even ice cream with the same three components mixed in—you get the gist. 

One of the more recent ones comes from Dunkin’, when they launched the Pistachio Kunafa in the UAE—and, of course, it went viral, and there was evident FOMO for the multinational doughnut-coffee chain to make it available in the Philippines. And it seems as though our collective prayers were heard because Dunkin' Philippines has launched a nutty Pistachio Chocolat doughnut locally.

Also read: Dubai Chocolate Creator Whips Up Exclusive Desserts You Can Try for a Limited Time

Taste Test: Dunkin’s new Pistachio Chocolat has landed in the Philippines

I’m not entirely sure why we only have the Pistachio Chocolat in the Philippines, and not the Pistachio Kunafa available elsewhere. My theory, upon trying the new Dunkin' flavor, is that what we have has no—zero, nada, not a spec of kataifi (or kunafa) in the Pistachio Chocolat. 

For the Pistachio Chocolat, what you’re getting is a fluffy doughnut filled with a creamy pistachio filling, then it gets topped off with a glossy layer of chocolate and a generous sprinkle of crushed pistachios—just a clear visual distinguisher that, yes, you are eating the Pistachio Chocolat doughnut.

Also read: Taste Test: A Review of the Viral Knafeh Chocolate Bar From Dubai

What does Dunkin's Pistachio Chocolat doughnut taste like?

The doughnut base is just your typical Dunkin' doughnut, and the chocolate coating doesn't taste new or specific to the Pistachio Chocolat. If anything, the real star of the show is the creamy, pastel green filling. What's great about the Pistachio Chocolat is that the pistachio filling doesn't scrimp on the pistachio aspect, which has always been the number one issue with other pistachio-kataifi desserts.

There’s one thing I found myself quietly missing: the kataifi. Considering Dunkin’s leaning into the Pistachio Kunafa identity, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect some of that signature crunchy texture in the mix. While the crushed pistachios on top add a nice bite, it’s not quite the same as the delicate, crispy strands of kataifi that bring that subtle, satisfying ASMR-worthy crunch. It’s a small detail, but one that could’ve elevated the whole experience.

One more thing worth pointing out: the filling amount and distribution could definitely use improvement. While the pistachio cream itself is delicious, it felt a bit uneven—some bites got all the pistachio filling, others were mostly dough and chocolate. It would’ve been even better if the filling were more generously piped and spread out more evenly throughout. It's not an overall pleasing experience to have to go through all the filling-less doughnut sides and just have all the nutty action once you get to the center. A little consistency could go a long way in making each bite as satisfying as the last.

Also read: LIST: Pistachio-Knafeh Desserts to Go Nuts for in Manila

Should you buy Dunkin's Pistachio Chocolat doughnut?

If you think Dunkin's premium line of doughnuts is already expensive, then you might need to sit down, breathe, and brace yourself for this: Pistachio Chocolat has a shocking P120 price tag per piece.  Yes, that's a three-digit price for a doughnut. What's even more shocking and a tad bit interesting? This is slightly more affordable than how much the Pistachio Kunafa is sold in the UAE, which is priced at AED 9 or P138.66. Was it the MIA kataifi that made it more affordable? Maybe.

The biggest concern with Dunkin's Pistachio Chocolat is its price. Sure, it's expensive for Dunkin', but taking into consideration other pistachio desserts, most, if not all, are priced premium too—in fact, anything with pistachio is expensive, period. So, splurging should be expected.

That said, if you do like pistachios, Dunkin's Pistachio Chocolat is a pretty safe bet—you just need to buy in the morning because it's currently in demand and quickly sells out. But if the kataifi is a non-negotiable, it's best to look elsewhere—we do have this: LIST: Pistachio-Knafeh Desserts to Go Nuts for in Manila.

Also read: M Bakery Joins the Pistachio-Kataifi Trend With This New Parfait

Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.