Product Review: Nutella and Ferrero Rocher

Chocolate and Hazlenut Taste Sensations

If not for World War II, an Italian pastry maker might not have come up with the idea of using hazelnuts to stretch the limited supply of cocoa to continue making his pastries. Hazelnuts were plentiful in the area where he lived, and his creation eventually lead to the production and sale of Nutella. If it were not for Nutella there may never have been "Ferrero Rocher" candy. In 1940 the pastry maker, Mr. Pietro Ferrero had a dream to make quality , affordable candy and make them widely available. He has realized his dream. From his humble pastry shop beginnings his company, Ferrero Rocher, is now marketing Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tacs internationally.

Because it is usually displayed next to peanut butter on grocery store shelves, the short, squat 13 oz jar of Nutella stands out. The first time I saw it I thought the jar was brown, not realizing it was a chocolate and hazelnut spread. I also mispronounced the name, calling it nut-ella. Nutella's website taught me the correct pronunciation is new-tell-uh. Not one to waste money, I hesitated to spend $3.99 to taste an unknown product. When my daughter, who is not afraid to waste money, bought a jar and I tasted it. I was hooked.

If you like the flavor of hazelnuts and are a chocoholic, you will love Nutella. "Creamy" is the word that comes to mind. It has a perfect blend of chocolate and hazelnut, so neither flavor overpowers the other. The label says each jar is made with over 50 hazelnuts. By visiting the Ferrero Rocher website, you can view a composition photo of a piece of the round Ferrero Rocher candy cut in 1/2. The site hints that the candy's creamy filling is none other than Nutella. Though the label bills Nutella as a "hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa", it is used as it once was: as an ingredient in exquisite pastries. Fine dining restaurants use a dollop of Nutella served on waffles or as an ingredient of their "French" pastries. If chefs use it, it has to be good.