Product Review: Nutella

I have never paid much attention to Nutella when we go to our local grocery store. After all, we love our regular (Smuckers) peanut butter. That is until a kid told me that it's like a holiday when his mom buys Nutella. That got me curious... so I pestered hubby into buying me a bottle.

I didn't waste any time. Upon opening it, I smashed the foil cover and dug my spoon in it. The first thing I noticed was how thick it was. And how yummy. It also tasted vaguely familiar. Then I looked at the bottle and under the product name was the word "Ferrero." Realization struck - it is the same chocolate they use in Ferrero Rocher.

Nutella (originally called Pasta Gianduja) was actually made in loaves and wrapped in tin foil, so it could be sliced and placed in bread for mothers making sandwiches for their children. But many children would throw away the bread and just eat the Pasta Gianduja. Hence they saw the need for making a spreadable version of it. And so Nutella was born.

Once you open the bottle, you smell the nutty and chocolatey aroma. It is also thicker than it looks. Creamy and light, it seems like a more flavorful version of chocolate spread. Only made with hazelnuts - not peanuts. Dieters beware, though - it has 200 calories per serving. But as usual, you'd have to have a payback of some sort for something as decadent as this.

Funny thing is, the label says "An example of a tasty yet balanced breakfast is a glass of skim milk, orange juice and Nutella on whole wheat bread." It is as if you can undo all the calories you get from Nutella by putting it on wheat bread and drinking all those healthy beverages. And besides, who can eat just one? I usually eat two open-face sandwiches with Nutella and a cup of joe.

The best part - it feels like I am eating Ferrero Rocher for breakfast. Now that's the perfect way to start your day.

Spread thickly!