14 Things You Didn't Know About Nutella

The nutty spread that changed the world.

1. The earliest concept of Nutella came about during Napolean's reign

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In an effort to hurt British commerce, Napoleon blocked trade throughout the continent, and the cost of chocolate skyrocketed. Chocolatiers in Turin started adding chopped hazelnuts to chocolate to stretch the supply as much as possible. This paste was called “gianduja.”

2. Nutella as we know it today was invented by Pietro Ferrero in the 1940s

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He added hazelnuts to his chocolate recipe because chocolate was in short supply during World War II. He got the idea from gianduja.

3. Pietro's son, Michele, made it the empire it is today

Via thetimes.co.uk

Michele is also responsible for Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tacs. God bless.

4. The Ferrero company also owns Esta The, which is why you can get these handy Nutella/Tea snack packs

Via ansam518.com

5. Nutella was originally called Pasta Gianduja

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The term "gianduja" came from a commedia dell'arte character, representing the city of Turin.

6. "Nutella" comes from English "nut" and the Latin suffix for "sweet," -ella

Via selfridges.com

Sweet, sweet nuts.

7. Nutella was first manufactured in loaves that could be sliced and put on bread

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What we now consider Nutella was the "supercrema" version.

8. There are Nutella factories and offices on every continent (except Antarctica of course)

Via hurriyetdailynews.com

That's why it can taste different depending where you are, it was made in a different factory.

9. Ferrero directly sources its materials and builds its own machinery for its factories

Via theguardian.com

Tighter security than the White House.

10. There is also a statue of the Madonna of Lourdes in every Ferrero factory and office around the world

theguardian.com / Via holyart.com

Saint Mary is watching over the Nutella.

11. One jar of Nutella is sold every 2.5 seconds

Via pinkstripes.wordpress.com

That's a higher rate than baby births in the US.

12. Nutella uses 25% of the world's supply of hazelnuts

Via annmariegianni.com

That's a lot of nuts.

13. There are about 50 hazelnuts in every jar of Nutella

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That makes it healthy, right?

14. Nutella is 50% sugar

Via en.wikipedia.org

And 100% worth it.