Happy World Nutella Day – February 5, 2014
Nutella has always been a part of my food vocabulary. Growing up overseas, we were exposed to international foods from an early age and items that might have seemed “exotic” to some, were commonplace to us. Nutella, was one of those treats. My great-grandmother would spread it on toast, as a dessert with tea. Since it was a memory I associated with childhood, I always assumed it was tastier than it actually was. The same way camp cabins seemed so enormous, when we were younger, but grew smaller as we aged.
I was wrong. Nutella was not only as delicious I remembered, it was even better incorporated into “adult” desserts.
Imagine my surprise when I moved to the U.S. and there was NO NUTELLA, anywhere. Some Italian specialty markets carried Nutella, but it was expensive and would fly off the shelves as soon as they were stocked. In some cases, it was like watching a small version of Black Friday sales crowds, before the mayhem and murder.
Fortunately, American fans demanded that Nutella be available and we prevailed! Now, Nutella is available in our local grocery store and a few American food corporations have created their very own versions, of the luscious hazelnut spread. I wish them luck, but I am a loyal Nuella woman.
Eight years ago, blogger Sara Rosso created World Nutella Day to extol its wonders. Other food bloggers soon caught the bug and World Nutella Day became a grassroots success. Unfortunately, the “holiday” met with some early legal challenges from Ferrero, the Italian company that produced Nutella. Once they realized that World Nutella Day was not only a celebration of the product, but an opportunity to gain new fans, they relented and joined the fun. Today, Ms. Rosso and Michelle Fabio are the coordinators of the festivities, with the blessings of Ferrero.
If you have not tried Nutella, today is the perfect day for your first taste! To all the other Nutella fans out there, I high-five you with my spoon!
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 
February 5, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Summer of 2000, I was introduced to Nutella in Germany while on an exchange program. I had to go to an international farmer’s market in Atlanta to find it upon my return! Now, I can’t go through a line at Publix without seeing the Nutella snack packs. 🙂 Happy we have a World Nutella Day, and so happy it is easy to find here in the states. Found your blog by way of Kristen Lamb’s blog. Totally agree with you regarding Ron and Hermione, too. Happy blogging! Cheers!
February 5, 2014 at 4:30 pm
I appreciate you stopping by. And, I’m humbled that you found me through Kristen Lamb’s blog. She’s amazing!
Publix is my favorite grocery store. It’s got the best of everything, including “obscure” international products like Nutella.
Who doesn’t love a day to celebrate Nutella?! 😀
Thank you!
February 5, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Well I had no idea! I love Nutella! Okay. I buy a different brand but it’s still chocolate hazelnutty goodness. Yums! My favorite is “nutella” hot chocolate. Sweet Mary. I’ll never go back to regular hot chocolate again.
And thank goodness Americans demanded Nutella. lol I grew up knowing what it was from travels and family living overseas. We’d always indulge quite a bit while we traveled. lol
February 5, 2014 at 5:41 pm
I freely admit that Nutella (and shoe shopping) is my crack, but I must try Nutella hot chocolate. Yummy!
Thanks for stopping by, Anna!
February 6, 2014 at 5:12 am
Been there…ate that!! lol. Yes Inion N. Mathair, (both) are die-hard, loyal, Nutella fans as well, Michelle. And your absolutey right! “Prevailed” is the perfect word. Why? Because a world without Nutella is a world we don’t want to live in. It’s like trying to extract the chocolate out of Willy’s Wonka; like trying to take the Turkish Delight out of Narnia & by God, we will not let that happen!! Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re headed off cuz Nana’s about to give us our version of Nutella. (Nana) makes homemade donuts iced with Nutella~ mmmmmm~ Good!! Love the post Michelle & sharing the Nutella news now 😀
February 6, 2014 at 5:48 am
” It’s like trying to extract the chocolate out of Willy’s Wonka; like trying to take the Turkish Delight out of Narnia & by God, we will not let that happen!!” I could not have said it better myself, ladies!!
Those homemade doughnuts with Nutella icing sounds delicious! Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
February 6, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Can you believe I had never tried Nutella until *LAST YEAR*?! Now I love it on a lot of things, but most especially strawberries and animal crackers! 🙂
February 6, 2014 at 6:08 pm
It’s cracktastic, isn’t it?! It’s so versatile. 🙂