Hazelnut Catkins January 2011. 
All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection
You may remember if you were reading News From Italy this time last year World Nutella Day 2010 that I do not like Nutella. As I live in the region where many of the hazelnuts that go into the production of Nutella are grown I felt that I should at least show my support.
I decided that the best way to do this was just to publish the link to friends of mine in the blogging world who are the organisers of World Nutella Day. They will be posting recipes and links to others joining in to celebrate, from all over the world.
Nutella was first developed in the Piedmont region of Italy in the late nineteen forties by Pietro Ferrero who owned a patisserie in Alba, in the Langhe district, an area known for the production of hazelnuts. The mixture was first sold as a solid block and was not sold as a creamy version until 1951 containing approximately 50% almond and/or hazelnut paste and 50% chocolate.
In 1963, Pietro's son Michele the creamy version was revamped named "Nutella". The first jar of Nutella left the Ferrero factory in Alba on 20 April 1964. The product was an instant success and remains widely popular. The estimated Italian production of Nutella averages 179,000 tons per year.
The exact recipe is of course a secret a closely guarded but the version of Nutella produced nowadays according to the product label, are sugar and vegetable oils (most of which is palm oil), followed by hazelnut, cocoa solids and skimmed milk, which together are at most 29% of the ingredients. Under Italian law, it cannot be labelled as a chocolate cream, as it does not meet minimum cocoa solids concentration criteria. About half of the calories in Nutella come from fat (11 g in a 37 g serving, or 99 kcal out of 200 kcal) and about 40% of the calories come from sugar (20 g, 80 kcal).
Unfortunately Nutella is not the healthiest of foods, although of course a little of what you fancy never does you any harm. This caused problems for the product in June 2010 when the European Parliament approved a draft measure requiring all processed foods to clearly label fat, salt and sugar contents and placing restrictions on advertising such foods. A ‘Hands Off Nutella’ Campaign was started last year but I have been unable to find any recent references to this, after an initial spate of articles when this was first announced. I have included a link to an article published by The Daily Telegraph at the time.
The links to the recipes – Enjoy but do not over do it!
http://www.nutelladay.com/ The site that co-ordinates World Nutella Day where Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso (and Shelley from At Home in Rome, in spirit) solemnly declare Saturday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2011″ – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.
With thanks to Wikipedia for the facts I have included here.
Mmm, I do love nutella!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about a world vegemite day but maybe we wouldn't get much support outside Australia.
ReplyDeleteLeon
Nice to know I'm not the only person who doesn't like Nutella!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Nutella and actually plan on baking some cupcakes later in support of World Nutella Day. It's still morning here, so we'll see if I'm successful.
ReplyDeleteWe have just this week finished our hazel nuts from our tree collected last August it was so laden. Not only do I love hazel nuts but I like Nutella as well. I do not buy it though as if I do I will eat the whole jar on my own - not very healthy!! Diane
ReplyDeleteLast year, while also living in the Hazelnut region of Alto Lazio, we discovered Artisan versions of Nutella, which are (dare I say it?)
ReplyDeletericher, less sweet, creamier and healthier than the commercial version. That said, chocolate-hazelnut *anything* gets an A++++ in my book!
I was going to ask about world vegemite day too, my husband would definitely be happy to organise the event in Scotland. He always takes a jar to Italy.
ReplyDeleteTo my shame, I have never tasted Nutella, but it does sound wonderful. I think I might have to pop to the local Tesco's to buy some!
ReplyDeleteWay too rich for me. I prefer a piece of plain dark chocolate and a handful of nuts, creating a similar sensation in the mouth if eaten at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYes, we can thank Wikopedia, but you're the one that did the presentation; so, thank you!
Wow, didn't know nutella was that unhealthy. I've seen it advertised in my health magazines in certain recipes....but never tried it. Hmm, I'll have to read more about this product! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Nutella, and have read the hands off articles last year too.
ReplyDeletePeople are allowing the government to become over involved in our daily lives. If we all just take the time to make better choices then we would not have all these additional laws.
Read, read, read!!!
Very nice of you to support the day when you do not even like nutella.
ReplyDeleteYES, I like this spread. My daughter introduced us to this product when she returned home from Italy several years ago. Only problem is that it does not last long in our house - so I do not but it as often as I used to. Someone is indulging to excess.
My husband love chocolate and Nutella too. I am not a big fan, but I started eating it when we moved to the US in 2001 coz the chocolate there was disgusting. I prefer another hazelnut and chocolate spread that you can find in Italy: it has a higher % of hazelnuts (45% vs the 13% of the Nutella) and uses cocoa butter instead of vegetable fats. It tastes better and it's a bit less sweet but alas it's way more expensive and more difficult to find.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Hazelnut Catkins photos too.
Happy weekend!
I had no idea there was a World Nutella Day or that it is made in Italy. We LOVE Nutella in our house and my youngest daughter is a huge fan. I can't wait to share this with her.
ReplyDeleteLong time ago after Perestroika I tasted Nutella for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed the taste of it. Today I have the opportunity to eat it whenever I want to. But I don't do it because of the health reasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that Nutella was invented about sixty years ago. Our family only discovered it in the last 10 years and it's not a staple in our cupboard but does seem to be a good treat once in awhile when you're craving chocolate. I remember seeing the crepe stands in Paris and rows of jars of Nuttela lined up on their shelves. I think it must have been one of the most popular crepes to order. Thanks for becoming a follower Lindy - I've enjoyed your blog for quite some time so will do the same.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I had convinced myself that Nutella was healthy! I must admit I love it but don't indulge very often. Fascinating post. I would like to find the more expensive version that Kia mentions...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week! – g
World Nutella Day?! I could have indulged in some Nutella and justified it? I can't believe I missed that! A great post, I didn't realise it was invented in Italy. Have a great week, Love from London xo
ReplyDeleteLeon@ I hear that Vegimite is similar to Marmite which I love.
ReplyDeleteShelia@ No, but are you a Marmite lover?
Diane@ Ah yet another plant we share in common in our gardens.
Carol@ I have also heard good reports of the Artisan versions.
Jenny@ Not Marmite, I thought that was the preferred UK choice?
Marissa@ I am sure it is fine if you only consume reasonable amounts as with many other foods.
Kia@ I guess it is an artisan one that is your preference?
Shelia@ It is interesting that it has been around for so long. Thanks for becoming latest follower.
Er... no *feeling a bit ashamed*
ReplyDeleteI did try lovely homemade spreads, but I admit my fave is "crema spalmabile Novi".
Don't tell my mom, LOL! She always complain that it's horrible that I prefer industrial chocolate spread (and mayonnaise, too).
I am really enjoying seeing Italy through your eyes! :) I just need a lot of time now to read a bit of your old posts.
Kia@ Just as I enjoy seeing the UK through your eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteWow I had no idea about the history of Nutella. I really like the chocolate hazelnut spread but prefer the Whole Earth brand, it's not so sweet and sickly.
ReplyDeleteI only discovered I liked it this year - has to be toast and choc/hazelnut spread with sliced banana on top. I love the Whole Earth peanut butter too which doesn't contain sugar or sweeteners - great with banana on toast or for cooking as it's very savoury.
I'll check out some of the nutella recipes and try not to go mad!
Jade