Nutella was created because chocolate was too expensive and rare after World War II.

In 1946, Pietro Ferrero lived in Alba, Italy. The Italian government put high taxes on cocoa beans after the war. This made pure chocolate a luxury item that most people could not buy. Ferrero used hazelnuts because they grew in large numbers in the local Piedmont region.The original recipe was based on a 19th-century mix called Gianduja. Confectioners first used this mix during the time of Napoleon when trade blocks stopped cocoa from reaching Europe. Ferrero's first version was a solid block called Pasta Gianduja that people sliced with a knife.In 1951, Ferrero changed the recipe to make it a creamy spread called Supercrema. This version used hazelnut oils to keep the texture soft and smooth. These oils also helped the spread stay fresh on a shelf without needing a refrigerator. This was a major benefit for families at the time.The recipe reduced the amount of cocoa needed by more than 50 percent. This allowed more people to enjoy the taste of chocolate for a much lower price. Today, the Ferrero Group makes over 365,000 tons of Nutella every year in 11 different factories. It remains one of the most popular uses for hazelnuts in the world.