Water with gold flakes, frozen onions: 10 cool things to check out at Gulfood in Dubai

As Gulfood 2026 began in Dubai on Monday, hundreds of people flocked to the event which is being held at two locations this year. Spread across Dubai World Trade Center and Dubai Exhibition Center, the event is twice as big as last year’s edition. 

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Here are some of the coolest products we found at the event:

1. Water with gold flakes

Now hydrate in style! The brand Ocard is exhibiting an exclusive, premium mineral water with authentic 24-karat gold flakes in it. The Uzbekistan-based company produces the unique product at one of the oldest gold mining plants in Europe. At its stand at Gulfood, the bottle was displayed on a rotating stand to keep the gold flakes floating. A spokesperson said the water bottle had both number 3 and number 5 flakes and retails in the US for approximately Dh360 per bottle.

2. Morel mushroom preserved in honey

The company Wild Bee Honey is using its past skills in preserving fruit and applying it to honey. It is exhibiting several of its items at Gulfood, including Morel mushroom, moringa and saffron preserved in honey. All three products are finalists of the Gulfood Innovation award in the best health and wellness product category.

3. Protein water

As the obsession with protein continues unabated, a brand called Liife has released its new line of protein water. The lightly sparkling, fruit-infused drink has 10 grams of clear whey protein and comes in  three flavours — lemon ginger, blood orange ginseng and raspberry peach. 

4. Caramel popcorn with no sugar

Zerup has unveiled Nekked Pop, which is its take on caramel popcorn, but without sugar, artificial flavours and colours. The Singapore-based company instead uses monkfruit extract instead to give the popcorn its sweetness. The company also has a range of zero sugar, zero calories drinks including cola, white peach soda and grape soda. 

5. Holzmann ready-to-use frozen onion

Don’t want to peel, chop and cook onions? Then this is the product you need. Austrian company Holzmann has introduced ready-to-use natural caramelized onion which are frozen in portions of 4mm. The product is fully cooked, slowly reduced under controlled conditions to achieve natural caramelisation. One kilogram of the product replaces upto 6kgs of raw onion.

6. Collagen strip

Whether you want to get collagen or get rid of a migrane, this innovative product by Co Nature is going to help. Users can place this product, shaped as a single strip, under their tongue for an instant nutrition hit. The company also has a Rootiva drink, with carrot and broccoli extract, which they claim will help boost hair growth.

7. Chocolate hummus

The company Liviano has made this dream product a reality. Made with premium cocoa and packed with protein and fiber, their chocolate hummus can be used as a dessert, dip or spread. It has been nominated to the Gulfood innovation category.

8. Nutritional yeast

These inactive yeast flakes — that taste like parmesan — are packed with with nutrients. The product has been treated with UV to naturally add Vitamin D. One spoon of the yeast contains 300 per cent of a person’s daily requirement of Vitamin D, in addition to Vitamin B12.  Although it is not suitable for baking, the product can be used as a seasoning to add complete proteins and natural fibers to any savory dish.

9. Fruit bouquet

Flower bouquets just not your thing? Check out the fruit bouquet at the North Hall 12 and 13 at Dubai Exhibition Center in Expo City. Made with blackberries, lychee, straberries and green and red grapes, the fruits have been arranged to form the UAE flag. 

10.  Chocolate and spinach cookies

Made out of wheat flour, coconut oil, chickpea flour and spinach, this cookie is for the healthy or picky eaters. It has no artificial colour, sweeteners, preservatives or salt — and hides spinach as well. The South Africa-based company employs 93 women and hopes to soon recruit youngsters to assist on their agricultural fields, with the hopes of keeping them away from crime.