Nutella: From an Italian pastry shop to America’s grocery stores

Who doesn’t love Nutella? The creamy hazelnut spread with origins in northwest Italy is so sweet and delicious that just a spoonful feels decadent.

Nutella wasn’t on the menu when I was growing up. I knew of it, but wasn’t among the converted. Recently though, Andrew brought Nutella home from the grocery store — and I was instantly hooked.

In the 1940s, during the height of World War II rationing, pastry chef Pietro Ferrero created Nutella with hazelnuts to expand the diminishing chocolate supply, according to the History of Nutella website.

If Ferrero’s name sounds familiar, it might be because you’re a fan — like me — of the similarly delicious Ferrero Rocher chocolates (congratulations on your great taste!). In fact, some say that the hazelnut Ferrero Rochers are filled with Nutella.

In the 1980s, Nutella started showing up in the peanut butter aisles of U.S. grocery stores, primarily in the northeast. The treat’s popularity took off, and it’s now sold in more than 75 countries.

It’s especially popular in Europe, where panic ensued this summer after Italians warned Nutella could become a casualty in the fight against obesity. Days later, Nutella was declared safe — and Europeans seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Although it’s easy to find in the U.S., I’m not sure Nutella has reached such a high level of popularity here that its loss would set off mass alarm. We don’t often hear of kids toting Nutella sandwiches in their lunch boxes or of adults enjoying Nutella on toast with their morning coffee.

But if Nutella continues to appear on restaurant menus (including at a creperie in my town) and on store shelves, one wonders whether one day the delicious — and addicting – spread could be as ubiquitous in the U.S. as spaghetti and meatballs.

What are your thoughts on Nutella? What’s your favorite way to eat the tasty treat?

Image: Nutella / Courtesy of lovejanine

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