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Every year since 2007, people across the globe celebrate 5 February as World Nutella Day. The current year 2023, marks its 16th anniversary, and like many, we look at this famous hazelnut cocoa spread with awe. It leaves us amazed with the question of what contributed to this product's popularity so much that it has not only survived the test of time but also risen stronger yearly. A quick search on the web pops up numerous questions asking about Nutella's name, meaning, health quotient, recipe, ingredients, age, place of origin and so on. Looking at all these queries, it's worth knowing the history of Nutella, the world's most devoured hazelnut cocoa spread.
Why the name Nutella? The moniker comes from a combination of Italian words: the upbeat-sounding and Latin-derived suffix Ella, indicating positivity, and the English word "nut," referring to the traditional Italian hazelnut component in the Gianduja.
Origin and history of Nutella
Many years ago (during World War II), an Italian baker named Pietro Ferrero owned a bakery in Alba, Italy. This place was famous for its hazelnuts, and the pastry maker had an edge. A window of opportunity presented itself to him when Italy experienced a chocolate scarcity. Pietro, realising there was a severe shortage of cocoa, mixed some hazelnuts, sugar, and a small amount of the precious cocoa to make a delectable paste. He sold it as loaves under the name Giandujot. The result was a massive hit with the kids. Even after the cocoa supply was restored, the children remained persistent. The following year, the Ferrero Company was established. A block form of the combination eventually evolved into the creamy form known as Nutella, and precisely that's how it was born out of scarcity.
Waffle with spread, Image Source: nutella.com
Nutella's delicious evolution
Pasta Gianduja, named after the spice Gianduja, was first marketed by Pietro after a few years (approximately in 1946). The first batch weighed 300 kilograms or 660 pounds. Later in the early '50s, Ferrero introduced Supercrema Gianduja, a creamy variation of the original solid block. Eventually, Ferrero's son Michele Ferrero reworked Supercrema Gianduja with the continent of Europe in mind. It was renamed "Nutella" after some tweaks to the recipe. On 20 April 1964, production of the first-ever jar of Nutella began at the Alba facility. The creamy spread was a massive success when it debuted in the market, and its popularity has only grown since then.
Nutella's spread over the European market
When Nutella was finally perfected and launched to the UK market in 1964, it resulted from many failed attempts and a lot of inventiveness. In 1965, the first famous jar was made, and in 1966, Nutella was introduced to the French market. This company's first factory outside of Europe was established in Lithgow, Australia, in 1978.
Nutella tarts, Image Source: nutella.com
The Third Generation under Nutella's sweet charm
The Ferrero family saga is an admirable tale of perseverance and cultural preservation spanning three generations in the Piedmont area of Italy. Piera and Pietro Ferrero, the visionaries behind the Ferrero company, were the first Italian manufacturer to establish overseas production sites and offices in the Confectionary sector after World War II. Pietro's brother Giovanni was instrumental in developing the company's extensive sales network, which led to the formation of the International Group as we know it today. Giovanni Ferrero, Pietro's grandson and current CEO, continues the family tradition of quality and commitment to employees established by Pietro's son Michele, who is widely credited with creating the Nutella brand.
It's up to you to decide the age of Nutella. Though we learnt that the predecessors of Nutella, Pasta Gianduja and Supercrema Gianduja had their 1940s and 1950s. The evolved version of Nutella made its way to the public in 1964. But what remains intense is the pure love Nutella spreads (pun intended) is universal.
