Origin, Italy. Main ingredient, hazelnut; hence the nickname hazelnut cream and not chocolate cream. You may be fooled thinking this tastes like more like chocolate, but there is actually less than 10 percent cocoa in the recipe.

Nutella spread in its earliest form, was created in the 1940s by Mr. Pietro Ferrero, a pastry maker and founder of the Ferrero Group; today also the makers of the popular Tic-Tac mints. At the time, there was very little chocolate because cocoa was in short supply due to World War II rationing. Mr. Ferrero used hazelnuts, which are plentiful in the Piedmont region of Italy, to extend the chocolate supply.

A fun little fact: Initially, the most popular glass containers were quite small, the size of a standard water glass; so they could be used as normal table glasses once the product had been consumed. Gotta love it, the Italians are so resourceful.

Nutella is a treat for people of all ages with serious fans around the globe. I like mine simply on a cornetti or croissant. How about you? For some inspiring Nutella recipe ideas.

BTW-FEB 5th is World Nutella Day.