Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread

Name: Chocolate-hazelnut spread — a sweet spread made from sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts and cocoa, best known through the brand Nutella. It is closer to a confectionery spread than a true nut butter.

Description

The idea comes from Piedmont in northern Italy, where hazelnuts were plentiful. During the Second World War, when cocoa was scarce, the confectioner Pietro Ferrero in Alba stretched his chocolate supply with ground hazelnuts, producing a paste called gianduja. His company later turned this into a spreadable jar, and Nutella was launched in 1964, becoming one of the world's best-known spreads.

Despite the name, most chocolate-hazelnut spreads are mainly sugar and vegetable oil (often palm oil), with hazelnuts and cocoa making up a smaller share. Some premium and natural brands use more hazelnuts and less sugar, but the typical supermarket jar is a sweet treat rather than a health food.

Main nutrition value

Chocolate-hazelnut spread provides some energy, fat and a little protein from hazelnuts, but is dominated by added sugar and saturated fat, and offers little else nutritionally.

How best to be consumed

Chocolate-hazelnut spread is best treated as an occasional sweet, spread thinly.

1. Spread thinly on toast, pancakes or crepes as a treat, rather than a daily breakfast.
2. Pair with fresh fruit, such as banana or strawberries, to make it go further.
3. Use sparingly in baking, desserts and sandwiches.
4. Compare brands and choose one with a higher hazelnut content and less sugar.
5. Keep portions to a teaspoon or two, since a serving adds up quickly.

Overconsumption could cause…

The main issue with chocolate-hazelnut spread is the sugar and fat.

1. Excess sugar and calorie intake, since sugar is typically the main ingredient and the spread is easy to over-eat.
2. Saturated fat from palm oil, which can raise LDL cholesterol with regular heavy use.
3. Tooth decay from the sticky, sugary spread.
4. Allergic reactions in people allergic to hazelnuts, other tree nuts, milk or soy, which can be severe.

GroupsNut Butters

Related foodsAlmond ButterCashew ButterHazelnut ButterMacadamia ButterMixed Nut ButterPeanut Butter

Wikipedia — Nutella, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutella