World Nutella Day on February 5th brings Nutella fans together around the globe to celebrate their favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread. Originally started in 2007 by blogger Sara Rosso, the day quickly grew from a simple fan tribute to an officially recognized event by Ferrero in 2015. From breakfast spreads to dessert toppings, Nutella has become a staple for fans worldwide who add its creamy touch to countless treats.
Each year, fans get creative, exploring Nutella’s story and discovering new ways to enjoy it. Below, you’ll find some surprising facts about Nutella’s rise to fame and tips for making the most of this delicious day.
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The History of Nutella
The history of Nutella began in post-World War II Italy, when chocolate was scarce and expensive. Pietro Ferrero, an Italian pastry maker from Alba in the Piedmont region, created the first version of Nutella in 1946. He named this thick, hazelnut-based spread Pasta Gianduja, after Gianduja, a famous Italian character from the carnival who symbolized Italian pride. By combining a small amount of cocoa with locally grown hazelnuts, Ferrero was able to create a spreadable, sweet paste that was both affordable and delicious.
In 1964, Pietro’s son, Michele Ferrero, transformed the original recipe into a creamier, more spreadable version called Supercrema Gianduja, which would become the Nutella we know today. Michele changed the name to Nutella, combining “nut” with the Italian suffix “-ella,” to give it a softer, friendlier sound. The first jar of Nutella was produced in the Ferrero factory on April 20, 1964, and it quickly became a hit across Italy, eventually spreading its popularity worldwide.
Nutella grew in popularity through the years and became especially well-loved in Europe. By the 1970s, it had spread across the continent, with families adopting it as a breakfast staple. Ferrero also heavily marketed Nutella, branding it as a perfect spread for bread, toast, and more. The brand expanded to the U.S. in the 1980s, introducing the iconic Nutella jar with its white lid and distinctive label.
Today, Nutella is a globally recognized product, beloved for its smooth, creamy texture and rich hazelnut flavor. It’s sold in over 160 countries, with Ferrero producing enough Nutella each year to circle the globe nearly two times if the jars were lined up end-to-end. Nutella’s success also led to the creation of World Nutella Day on February 5th, which started as a fan-driven holiday in 2007 and later became officially embraced by Ferrero in 2015.
When is World Nutella Day Celebrated?
Planning ahead for Nutella fans? Each year, February 5th falls on a different day of the week, making it easy to schedule Nutella-inspired activities in advance. Here’s a list of World Nutella Day dates for the next several years:
| Year | Date, Day |
|---|---|
| 2024 | February 5, Monday |
| 2025 | February 5, Wednesday |
| 2026 | February 5, Thursday |
| 2027 | February 5, Friday |
| 2028 | February 5, Saturday |
| 2029 | February 5, Monday |
| 2030 | February 5, Tuesday |
Mark your calendar to keep celebrating the world’s favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread each February!
♥️ Similar Days: National Toast Day, National Peanut Butter Day, National French Toast Day
Fun Facts About Nutella
Nutella’s popularity and history include some surprising details, showing just how unique this spread truly is. From the staggering amount produced each year to its deep-rooted Italian heritage, here are some fascinating insights that Nutella fans might not know:
- Enough Nutella is produced annually to cover over 1,000 soccer fields!
- The first Nutella recipe was called “Pasta Gianduja,” named after a famous Italian character who became a national symbol.
- Ferrero uses around 25% of the world’s hazelnut supply to make Nutella, placing the brand among the globe’s largest hazelnut consumers.
- The day was celebrated so widely that Ferrero officially adopted it in 2015, making it a recognized occasion for Nutella fans everywhere.
Ways to Celebrate World Nutella Day
World Nutella Day isn’t just for admiring Nutella’s history; it’s a great opportunity to get creative with this beloved spread. If you’re looking to take your Nutella enjoyment to the next level, here are some easy, fun ideas:
- Create Nutella-inspired recipes: From crepes to smoothie bowls, adding Nutella to a recipe can elevate any dish. Experiment with it as a topping, filling, or ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
- Share your Nutella creations on social media: Nutella fans worldwide enjoy sharing their favorite recipes, memories, and photos. Add the hashtag #WorldNutellaDay to join the global Nutella-loving community.
- Spread on Toast – Keep it simple by spreading Nutella on warm toast. It’s a quick and classic treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack.
- Dip Fruit in Nutella – Slice up some apples, bananas, or strawberries and dip them in Nutella for a fresh and sweet snack.
- Stir into Coffee or Hot Chocolate – Add a spoonful of Nutella to your coffee or hot chocolate. It melts right in, adding a creamy, chocolatey twist.
- Nutella Sandwich – Make a Nutella sandwich with your favorite bread. Add sliced bananas or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a bit of extra flavor.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
