What is Nutella?
Table of Contents
It’s a lightly sweetened cocoa hazelnut creamy spread officially born in 1964. The store-bought Nutella brand advertises no artificial colors or preservatives with seven ingredients to make this creamy perfection. They are roasted hazelnut, cocoa, skim milk, lecithin (natural emulsifier derived from soybeans or sunflowers), palm oil (nonhydrogenated), sugar (derived from cane or beets), and vanillin powder (flavoring).
Locations
The Ferrero Group Company is the introducer of the Nutella brand. They include over 35 other brands such as Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Tic Tac.
The original stand-alone Nutella Cafe location is at 189 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago Illinois 60601. Its grand opening happened on May 31, 2017, and is still currently open. There happened to be another Nutella Café located at 116 University Place New York, New York 10003. This café closed on February 11, 2021. A Nutella Bar was placed inside the Flatiron location Eataly on 200 5th Avenue in Union Square, New York, 10010. This location is currently permanently closed.
Fun Fact:
Sara Rosso gave credit to her friend Shelly for both of them coming together to create World Nutella Day on February 5th, 2007. Both bloggers pushed for the unity of bloggers to celebrate coming together as a new beginning in experiencing a new food. The experience was overwhelming with a flood of participants from around the world such as America, Brazil, England, India, and Japan. The sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has continued to create inspiration for others in their cultural food exploration.
Healthy Eating
Hazelnuts contain fiber (aids digestion and improves metabolism) and protein (improves metabolism and muscle growth). It has minerals such as calcium (maintains bone health), copper (boosts immune system and energy level), iron (supports growth and development), magnesium (blood sugar regulator, improves nervous system, and energy level), potassium (improves bone strength, supports heart health, and nervous system). It contains vitamins such as thiamin also known as vitamin B1 (boosts cell function and metabolic energy), vitamin B6 (improves brain health and mood), vitamin C (assists in iron absorption), and vitamin E (antioxidant properties and boosts the immune system).
Cocoa powder can produce a positive effect on mood. The natural unsweetened cacao has anti-inflammatory properties and assists in diabetes control.
Almond milk was my chosen dairy-free option to add to this spread. It is fortified with calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E.
Sunflower lecithin does not contain added sugar, dairy, gluten, soy, or yeast. It is a good source of phospholipids. Along with having a positive effect on the digestive system, heart, liver, and skin. It can also be used in place of eggs.
Vegetable oil is the preferred alternative to the use of palm oil. Vegetable oil has a greater amount of fatty acid that can assist in lowering bad cholesterol and reduce coronary heart disease. Palm oil can be compared to an animal fat replacer. It’s high in vitamin E, and carotene content, along with containing essential fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The downside is it has a higher fat content.
Ingredient Choice
Hazelnut: Also known as filberts, deshelled unsalted whole raw is the best option. When buying in as a bulk item they will more likely have their skin on.
Cocoa powder: This Hershey’s unsweetened 100% cacao is non-alkalized.
Lecithin powder: The sunflower version is utilized as an emulsifier. Vigorously stirred to decrease lumpiness and provide a smoother texture. It is low in calories, low in fat content, and extends shelf life.
Milk: The choice to go with almond milk was to make it dairy-free. Skim milk powder is utilized in the Nutella brand.
Sugar: Domino granulated is used in this recipe.
Oil– Emulsification stabilizer, palm oil is originally used in the Nutella brand. An alternative neutral substitute used is vegetable oil (soybean).
Pure vanilla extract: It’s used to add and tie in the flavor profile of the spread. Vanillin powder is a substitute but not always easily accessible for purchase.
Homemade Nutella
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted raw hazelnut
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 7 tablespoons almond milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons sunflower lecithin
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread unsalted raw hazelnuts, evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet pan.
- Place sheet pan with hazelnuts in the oven to roast for 12 minutes. Make sure to toss hazelnuts halfway through the roasting process. Notice the shell will become cracked.
- Remove hazelnuts from the oven and rub the shell off by placing them on a soft cloth or paper towel. Skin removal is easier when hazelnuts are warm.
- Add hazelnuts to a food processor, and pulse until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape sides down. This ensures even distribution and processing. Oil from the hazelnuts will create a creamy nut butter.
- Next add cocoa powder, almond milk, pure vanilla extract, granulated sugar, sunflower lecithin, and vegetable oil.
Notes
- If raw hazelnuts are deshelled when purchased proceed with step 1 and step 2. At step 3 roast hazelnuts for 8 minutes instead.
- Removing the hazelnut skin will allow for a smoother textured spread. Deshelling by itself can take up to 45 minutes when fully trying to remove most to all hazelnut shells.
- You can also skip step 1 to step 4 by acquiring unsalted deshelled roasted hazelnuts.
Pairs Well With
Try switching things up by spreading, drizzling, or incorporating Nutella into various foods such as …
- baguette
- crème brulee
- crepes
- croissant
- gelato
- french toast
- frozen pops
- ice cream
- pancakes
- pound cake
- pudding
- waffles
Or in beverages such as …
- coffee
- hot chocolate
Purchasing
Hazelnuts will come chopped, roasted, unsalted raw. Often time the local market has hazelnuts in a bulk bin. It’s cheaper to purchase hazelnuts this way because you can get the exact amount you will need. So try your local food market with bulk items. Whole Foods Market is a good place to find them for approximately $11.29 a pound.
Silk almond milk original can be purchased at most local markets and health food stores. There are 1-quart containers for around $3. A great option instead of splurging for the next size-up which is a half-gallon container for approximately $7.
Lecithin powder will come in sunflower or soy. The sunflower version will be in a 3.5-ounce, 4-ounce, 1-pound package with a price range of around $10 to $22. It can be ordered online from Amazon.com, Instacart.com, or Walmart.com. You should have some success at purchasing from health stores such as The Vitamin Shoppe (where I purchased my sunflower lecithin). The upside is if purchasing a larger amount it can be used in other foods such as hot cereal and smoothie.
Vegetable oil (derived from soybean) is commonly found in almost any local market. A 48-fluid-ounce bottle will be around $4 for purchase. Palm oil is less accessible, due to it being used as a fuel source. It can be purchased for around $8 and up in 4-ounce and 16-ounce jar packaging. It can be found online at Walmart.com. Or local markets such as Whole Foods Market.
Hershey’s cocoa powder (100% cacao natural unsweetened) is readily available in any supermarket. An 8-ounce container can be purchased for approximately $5.
Store/Shelf life
This hazelnut spread can be stored in the refrigerator at 41 degrees. It will have a shelf life of 28 days while in the refrigerator. Nutella will be spreadable at room temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now how can anyone pass up this lightly sweetened cocoa hazelnut creamy spread? Its delightfully chocolatey nutty flavors will draw you in wanting more. Take the time to enjoy Nutella on its celebrated day. No worries that you can’t travel to Chicago city. Just make your own at home where you can dictate the level of sweetness and even intensify nuttiness. It has an abundance of minerals and vitamins that promote bone health, boost the immune system, nervous system, and so on. The spreadable treat will have you experimenting with various foods.
How are you celebrating World Nutella Day?