Nutella is not vegan. And that’s a shame. Because I’ve never met anybody who had anything bad to say about the spread. In fact, I know some folks who positively adore it. But vegans are not shut out of the Nutella experience…
So beloved is the classic chocolate/hazelnut spread that there really is an
officially unofficial, but unofficially official World Nutella Day.
Nutella is a worldwide phenomenon. Folks just about everywhere love the chocolate-hazelnut spread. It’s claimed to be more popular than the British savoury spread Marmite, which is also available – and adored – across the English-speaking world.
But where Marmite (and it’s southern-hemisphere cousin, Vegemite) are wholly veg in composition, Nutella contains milk. Not a problem for some vegetarians, but a disqualifying factor for vegans…
Not to worry
There are, actually, a number of competing chocolate-hazelnut spreads out there. They just don’t get the exposure they deserve. That’s because Nutella, the undisputed niche leader, has become a household name. Like Kleenex, or Chlorox. The alternative brands are often lumped in under the ‘Nutella’ identity.
Be that as it may…
There are dairy-free ‘cousin’ spreads. They’re not as hard to find as you might think. And many of them contain less sugar – thus, fewer Calories and a lower ‘guilt’ quotient.
One notable contender for the ‘healthy’ as well as the ‘vegan’ crown stands out among Nutella-like spreads. Nutriva Vegan Hazelnut Classic Chocolate spread is just one flavour in a line. It’s it’s not only certified vegan, organic and gluten-free. It’s Fair Trade certified, sustainably sourced, and ‘low in sugar’. That’s a pretty high bar for competitors to meet.
But it’s also pricey. The going rate for Nutella at my local grocery store today is (C)$1.17 / 100g. Compare that to the Nutriva product at Amazon, at (US)$4.50 / 100 g – plus delivery from the US!
A comprehensive listing
Thanks to VegNews.com for compiling a comprehensive directory of truly vegan chocolate/hazelnut spreads. They list no fewer than 11 of the top vegan contenders. With links to their online sales sources.
The site also features a selection of recipes for ‘vegan Nutellas’ you can make at home, with flavour enhancements such as Vanilla, Maple Syrup and dried fruits.
My take
I suspect the proliferation of Nutells copy-cats is an expression of the old saying, ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’. If the original, Nutella, wasn’t so monumentally successful, there wouldn’t be so many wannabees. Which is not to say the others are not great spreads, whether close copies or enhanced in their own ways.
One thing is certain: Nutella – the classic chocolate/hazelnut combo – defines a whole class of foods with a broad appeal matched by few others!
Homage where homage is due…
~ Maggie J.