Nutella vs. Gianduia vs. Generic Brand Hazelnut Spreads
Nutella and gianduia (sometimes spelled gianduja) is kind of a Kleenex and tissues situation. Nutella is the brand-name for a more general Italian chocolate-hazelnut confectionery known as gianduia. Many people say that high-end gianduia, where hazelnuts make up at least 50-percent of the ingredients, is like an evening gown next to the ripped denim of Nutella, which averages at about 13-percent. J.C. Reid of Houston Press's Eating Our Words blog recently compared the two:
Ultimately, comparing gianduia to Nutella is comparing apples to oranges. They are born from the same tradition, but the resulting flavor profiles are very different. Grateful Bread's gianduia has a wonderful depth and complexity of flavor manifested in the combination of hazelnuts, cocoa, sugar, vanilla and salt. Traditional Nutella sticks to the less challenging and more widely palatable combination of creamy chocolate with a nutty finish.
Reid also threw in the generic Kroger brand of hazelnut spread for comparison kicks, which was a couple bucks less than Nutella for a 13-ounce tub. "The taste is indistinguishable."
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8 Comments:
Do they even sell gianduja on a consumer level? I know companies such as Valrhona/Weiss sell them in 1 kilo blocks for industry use - but I've never seen it available for sale at the supermarket...has else?
Also, although I love Nutella, the mouth feel is waxy/greasy due to the added oil - which, gianduja does not (should not) contain...apples to oranges indeed!
Mdotmet at 8:56AM on 08/19/09
I like chocoreale instead of nutella. I haven't seen gianduja anywhere ...
KarynMC at 9:11AM on 08/19/09
I love gianduia! You can find gianduia in the US. Perugina makes "gianduiotti" that are sold in boxes. Also, if you're in Northern NJ I've seen boxed logs of gianduia, from Italy, at Jerry's in Englewood. My parents get boxes of them for me and my sister each Christmas.
Grainiac at 9:54AM on 08/19/09
I think of nutella as chocolate sauce, as it has no hazelnut flavor discernable to me. Also has hydrogenated oils if I remember correctly; haven't gotten it for quite a while. Haven't ever see gianduia.
lemonfair at 10:19AM on 08/19/09
I would love to be able to get gianduja (gianduia) at my local grocery store. If only! I always assumed it was more solid and intended for use in confectionary than the more-easily-spreadable nutella.
FP
foolishpoolish at 10:38AM on 08/19/09
Most Nutella I've found in NY/NJ/PA/MA grocery stores are imports from Canada, but occasionally, I'll come across a Nutella import from Italy. The flavor/texture differences between the two are pretty pronounced as well.
Canadian Nutella is more sugary, spreads like a melting wax, and is prone to separate from its oil. Italian Nutella tastes more of toasted nuts, is thicker/pastier, and just a little more challenging to spread. (The Italian is significantly less sweet, so it's my favored treat.)
Tam Ngo at 2:10PM on 08/19/09
I get Nocilla online. It tastes more like hazelnut/chocolate whereas Nutella is just chocolate.
gingercookiewithlime at 6:02PM on 08/19/09
I'm a total sucker for Nutella, but I tried all four of Le Pain Quotidien's nut spreads at a hotel recently (seriously: four croissants. Four spreads. LOVES me some continental breakfast!) and I think I've been converted.
missbhavens at 12:56PM on 08/28/09