Ramblings of a retiree in France
I’ve already discussed the surpising French love of le hamburger and pizza. This week I’m sticking with the (Easter) chocolate theme and (frankly) milking it for all it’s worth!
Surprisingly there’s nothing France loves more than Nutella – at least according to a 2020 review of the most-sold groceries in French shops (apart from wine). It was not only the most sold product – the brand dominated half of the top 10 rankings. Claiming the top spot, the Nutella 1kg (2lb) pot generated €40 million worth of sales in 2020. The 1kg chocolate pot was so popular that it outranked butter, black coffee and toilet paper.
Fifth was the 975g pot of Nutella, with turnover of €31 million, followed closely by Nutella 750g (€30 million and Nutella 400g (also €30 million). Then in 10th spot Nutella biscuits, the only non-pot version of the brand on the list. The study presumably didn’t even take account of sales of supermarket own-brands or organic versions of the ubiquitous chocolate spread.
Allegedly, the French eat 26% of the world consumption of Nutella equivalent to about 75,000 tons per annum!
Quelle surprise! Nutella is not even a French product. This brand of sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread is manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero – yes, they of the sickly Ferrero Rocher choclates – and was first introduced in 1964. It’s so popular in France that it has its own manaufacturing capability in Villers-Écalles.
France’s longstanding love affair with the chocolate spread Nutella is a faithful kind that begins, for many, at childhood and lasts for life. French children smear the hazelnut paste onto their bread in the morning, some dip the tartine in a bowl of chocolate milk. Adults might lay off the topping during the week, but few can resist that occasional tartine de nutella. And let’s not forget the absolute classic: crèpes de Nutella. French people eat it by the spoonful to connect with their inner child.
You might remember that back in 2018, a 70% discount on Nutella at the Intermarché supermarket chain turned into a ‘riot’, with customers jostling and battling each other to get their hands on the pots.
And even though in reality it was more like a feeding frenzy than a riot, France’s passion is in no doubt.
Would there have been the same reaction to jars of pickles, such as cornichons? Certainly not! Nutella is pure pleasure for children and to offer it at a bargain price obviously attracts lots of customers. Still, although it may seem bizarre to many, it’s nice to know the French can still surprise us from time to time.
Let’s leave the final word on the subject to French President Emmanuel Macron:
I saw and bought a jar on a mission trip to Germany in 1980. Then saw it on the shelves in America quite some years later.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m amazed at its popularity
LikeLiked by 3 people
Shouldn’t it be called ‘Sugatella’? I’ve never tried it. Looking at what’s in it, I doubt that I ever will. I’m a peanut butter fan myself.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love Nutella. One of our large warehouse stores sells a 2-pack, which, of course, I stashed at the onset of the pandemic. A jar or Nutella+a spoon=one happy gal! haha! I’m not even looking at the photo of ‘ingredients.’
LikeLiked by 3 people
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes That’s Italian and sold in many places including USA and Spain. Even with high palm oil. We like the other Nocciolata Bio no palm oil ::)
https://www.rigonidiasiago-usa.com/nocciolata/nocciolata-senza-latte/
LikeLiked by 4 people
Much better for you
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes well we go natural near farms and coast ::)
LikeLiked by 2 people
do you have biocoop stores in your area? or similar?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, we have loads of organic shops which sell alternatives to Nutella but it’s easy to make one’s own. Same with nut milks and butters.
LikeLiked by 2 people
ah well not a good cook or chef so need to buy from the experts lol!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh come on, if you can read you can cook!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tried but too bad compare to what I can buy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLike
I tried it once. I didn’t care for it personally.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m not a fan
LikeLike
I must admit, I have been known to eat crèpes de Nutella on occasion, while visiting France. Despite the masses of sugar and palm oil.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I much prefer crêpes Grand Marnier
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Nutella and I love how much the French love it also! 😎
LikeLiked by 3 people
You may’ve guessed, I’m not a fan
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a French group on facebook that is about trying to get Nutella on prescription … 😀 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good luck with that
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that it is a very laudable initiative … 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Nutella. I used to think it was a healthy alternative 🤣
LikeLiked by 4 people
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
who doesn’t love Nutella?;) but, it is a bit surprising that Nutella would be so immensely popular in France
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know!!!!
LikeLike
Since I love Frangelico, I was very surprised to find out that I don’t care for Nutella
Loved your article.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
My kids loved it as well. Once I became aware of the sugar and palm oil, though, I never bought it again. I bet one could make a healthier version at home with ground nuts, coconut oil, cocoa and honey.
LikeLiked by 4 people
That’s a great idea Eliza! I might have to experiment with that.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good luck!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You can quite easily
LikeLike
I think I probably ate my bodyweight in Nutella & banana crepes while wandering the streets of Paris. Every corner had a crepe vendor selling all kinds of creations, but Nutella certainly seemed like their top seller!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is though I much prefer Grand Marnier
LikeLike
I reckoned it would be 🍷
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too but no
LikeLike
Who knew? Nutella is a favourite in my household, but … I don’t think I’d fight over it! We buy about 2 jars per year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t buy it at all
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that is a surprise
LikeLiked by 2 people
Isn’t it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My grandchildren like it on pancakes. Tastes dreadful if you ask me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m with you Andrew
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a big “Nope” for me, just chocolate and sugar, don’t eat peanut butter for the same reason, too much sugar.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Understandable
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this article. I have to share this with my French partner who, not so surprising, is also a huge Nutella fan! It is funny how the French people I know are so picky about their chocolates and only buy the best Parisian brands to then indulge in Nutella a bit later. The amount of sugar is pretty shocking! Thanks for the post!
Marcella (A Dutch travel writer residing in Paris)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know this but weirdly I’m not surprised somehow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLike
That brought back memories of when Cyberspouse and his workmates used to go on the popular day trips to France and he would return with some wine and cheese, but also a giant jar of Nutella, great excitement for the children – and me. He also brought strange plastic gadgets that dispensed French sweets and giant M&M men who dispensed M&Ms when you moved their arms.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fun times!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Things about France that surprised me: love of Nutella – Insigght
Nutella! 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Shirley
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. My kids love Nutella. My friend was horrified because they told her they ate “chocolate sandwiches” in their packed lunches.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All kids love Nutella
LikeLike
Pingback: Things about France that surprised me: love of Nutella – Entertainment world
That looks like an alarming amount of sugar! :O
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Chocolate from Piedmont: Part I – View from the Back