History of Nutella
Nutella, the chocolate-hazelnut spread, traces its origins to the town of Alba in the Piedmont region of Italy. In 1946, shortly after the Second World War, pastry maker Pietro Ferrero created a sweet loaf called "Giandujot," made from hazelnuts, sugar, and a small amount of cocoa. Cocoa was scarce and expensive after the war, while hazelnuts were plentiful in Piedmont, making the product far more affordable than pure chocolate.
In 1951, Ferrero introduced a spreadable version called "Supercrema," which could be sold in jars and spread on bread. The product became popular with Italian families, particularly as an affordable treat for children.
In 1964, Pietro's son Michele Ferrero reformulated and rebranded the product as Nutella, and the first jar was produced at the Ferrero factory in Alba on 20 April that year. Nutella quickly expanded beyond Italy into the rest of Europe and later worldwide, becoming a common topping for bread, crêpes, and pastries.
Today, Nutella is the flagship product of the Ferrero Group, which also owns brands such as Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tac. It is sold in more than 160 countries, and fans celebrate World Nutella Day on 5 February each year. The brand has also faced criticism over its sugar content and its use of palm oil, prompting Ferrero to publicise its sourcing and sustainability commitments.