Do you love chocolate? How about nuts? Then it’s time to gear up for the most delicious chocolate-hazelnut celebration – World Nutella Day!
Yes, this beloved treat is so popular worldwide that it even has its own holiday. It all began when Sara Rosso, an American blogger living in Italy, suggested celebrating Nutella Day on February 5, 2007. Since then, the day has gained global recognition.
Like many brilliant inventions, Nutella was born out of fortunate coincidences and clever marketing. In 1946, confectioner Pietro Ferrero decided to make chocolate bars. To save on the expensive cocoa butter, he added a cheaper ingredient—hazelnuts, which were plentiful in the Piedmont region of Italy. The experiment was a success, and the Gianduja bars became so popular that Pietro received a large order from the local government.
However, fate had a twist in store for Pietro. The chocolate bars, left overnight in the town hall, melted due to the heat. Faced with this unexpected challenge, Pietro made a genius decision: he spread the melted chocolate onto slices of bread, which his wife quickly cut. The guests at the event were the first to enjoy chocolate-hazelnut sandwiches. What began as a desperate attempt to save the family business ultimately propelled the Ferrero company to new heights.
The Gianduja chocolate-hazelnut spread became immensely popular, not just in Piedmont but throughout Italy. In 1964, Pietro’s son Michele Ferrero made some adjustments to the recipe and launched a new product under the now-famous name Nutella.
World Nutella Day was first celebrated in 2007 in its homeland of Italy. Since then, every year on February 5, people around the globe organize celebrations, concerts, flash mobs, and tastings featuring an array of dishes made with Nutella.