PURPLE DREAMS AND THE POWER OF INNOVATION
SHOMOOKH BINT FAISAL
IS BLENDING TARO, MATCHA & AI INTO A NEW WELLNESS MOVEMENT
By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili
While coffee culture thrives and tea traditions endure, one Saudi entrepreneur set out to reimagine what a beverage could be. It began with a flavor, soft, creamy, and purple, that once captivated her and then mysteriously disappeared from her life. Years passed, but she could not shake the memory of that one taro drink. The taste lingered not only as a craving but as a calling.
That calling grew into Taro Dream, the first Saudi brand dedicated to taro-based beverages and among the first of its kind globally. Yet behind the brand lies more than recipes or product launches. It is the story of Shomookh Faisal, a visionary who fused her love of wellness with her academic background in Artificial Intelligence to create something entirely new for the market.
Her journey began with curiosity. After discovering taro and falling for its distinctive taste and vibrant color, she was surprised by how rare it was in the Saudi market. She wanted the world to share in the experience. “Sometimes, you crave something different, something delicious yet without caffeine. Taro became that for me. It is healthy, caffeine-free, and still feels like a treat,” she explains.
Her training in Artificial Intelligence gave her a rare advantage. While many beverage startups rely on traditional strategies, Shomookh turned to AI as her creative partner. She used it to design visuals, generate content, analyze market behavior, and even simulate products. “AI is basically my photographer, my copywriter, and my strategist. It is 80 percent of my business,” she says.
Still, Taro Dream was never only about technology. It was about heart, culture, and family. Inspired by her Saudi roots and encouraged by her father’s support, she built the brand from the ground up, sourcing premium taro from Taiwan and introducing it to a new audience. The challenges were plenty, from finances to customer education, but her optimism and creativity carried her forward.
She did not need to persuade people with statistics; she simply told her story, how taro once disappeared from her life and how she made it her mission to bring it back. That personal narrative sparked curiosity and encouraged people to try it for themselves.
Her signature offerings, including pure taro powder and a taro latte with milk and a touch of sugar, are now available online and in select cafés across Saudi Arabia, with more expansion planned. Each product is designed to be as natural and clean as possible, showcasing the plant’s gentle sweetness while delivering a visually striking experience.
What drew her to taro was not just the flavor but also its iconic soft purple hue, which has since become the soul of her brand identity. The color represents wellness, creativity, and wonder, making Taro Dream instantly recognizable. Beyond its beauty, taro is nutrient-dense, rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
Research suggests it supports digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and reduces inflammation, offering a wholesome alternative for anyone cutting back on caffeine while still enjoying indulgence. Customers were astonished by the color at first, then surprised again by how delicious it tasted. The use of AI remains one of her strongest differentiators.
From forecasting customer behavior to tailoring designs and automating operations, AI has allowed her to compete with larger brands while staying agile and authentic. As a student of AI at a private university in Madinah, she not only uses these tools but builds them. “Even when I have just a small idea, AI helps me develop it further. But you must know how to use it right. That is where the magic happens,” she explains.
What began as a personal craving is quickly transforming into a lifestyle brand with global aspirations. Shomookh envisions international expansion, retail partnerships, and eventually opening a wellness café where every ingredient tells a story and every detail reflects a harmony between nature and technology.
She is equally passionate about inspiring Saudi youth, especially women, to pursue their own visions, no matter how unconventional they seem. “Saudi Arabia is the greatest supporter of its youth,” she says proudly. “Prince Mohammed bin Salman once said, ‘Half of Saudi Arabia is women, and I support women.’ That kind of leadership gives us the strength to dream big.”
Her advice for young entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful. “Start your project. Your country supports you. Do not fear failure because there is no success without it.”
Alongside taro, she has also introduced a high-quality matcha line, blending it with taro to create unique flavor experiences. Matcha, rich in antioxidants such as EGCG, has been linked to improved metabolism, brain function, and heart health, while its gentle caffeine content paired with L-theanine provides focus and calm without the jittery side effects of coffee.
Taro Dream has become more than a beverage brand. It is a symbol of innovation, cultural pride, and modern entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. At its heart is Shomookh Faisal, a young lady who transformed a forgotten flavor into a forward-looking business, combining wellness and technology in a way few imagined possible. With AI as her partner and taro as her muse, she is not simply selling drinks, she is shaping a new movement, one sip at a time.
