alternatives to Nutella

[bronze_ribbons]

In researching the connections between forced child labor and chocolate -- or, to spin it more positively, on identifying and supporting chocolate manufacturers willing to practice social responsibility -- I've come across several discussions of alternatives to Nutella. (There are currently jars of Nutella in my pantry, on my kitchen counter, and in my desk at the office. You could say this matters to me just a bit.)

Reasons to eschew Nutella (not all of which apply to me) include it being more sugar and oil than cocoa and hazelnuts; it being non-vegan (not an issue for me personally, but having a vegan alternative expands my options when cooking for certain potlucks); trans fats (may no longer be an issue -- see discussion in comments at Chocolate and Zucchini); the US product being inferior to the Italian one (MMV); organic versions being tastier than the brand-name versions (ditto); the odds that the cocoa comes from child-exploiting sources (haven't been able to verify this yet); being able to control the ingredients in home-made versions. Of these, the most compelling argument for me is the last one: when time permits, I generally prefer my own sauces to store-bought because I can adjust the proportions to suit me (for savories, I tend to like more garlic and/or more nuts than prescribed, and for sweets, I tend to prefer less sugar).

Anyhow, here are some possibilities:
store-bought
Green and Black's Hazelnut Spread (I've seen their chocolate bars locally, but haven't yet looked for the spread)
Trader Joe's hazelnut spread (another post here) (we don't have a TJ where I live, but I know several of you who talk about it in religious terms *g*)
Rapunzel Choconut Spread. Stocked at Whole Foods Markets. I may have to splurge on this just because of the name. (Background tangent: Falling for Rapunzel is an awesome, hilarious picture-book retelling of the story.)

recipes for home-made
Chef Kate's Honey Hazelnut Spread (this looks terrifically easy, and with only two ingredients)
several versions by Jessica Su at Su Good Sweets (with Not-ella post/comments at Bittersweet)
Zarah Maria's version
Stephanie Gallagher's adaptation (in a comment seen at another blog regarding who to credit for a reposted recipe, Gallagher apparently derived this version after consulting five other recipes)
A reposted German recipe with an interesting discussion (and eventually a recipe) re: nougat
hazelnut cocoa cream at "dinner for one"


[Bemused Reader: So, Ribbons, we get that you're a smidge obsessed at the moment, but what does this have to do with fanfic?

Ribbons: My OTP's fanzine is called Chocolate and Asphodel. Do I really need to say more? ;-)

But, to be more specific, Nutella appears in my favorite story by busaikko, which you can hear as an audio-fic (in full NC-17 glory!) by westernredcedar, and it also shows up in a drabble by me and assorted comment threads such as this one. :-)]

Comments

[zephre.insanejournal.com]

I'm going to put in the good word for Rapunzel's spread. I worked for a company that distributed Rapunzel products, and we had Chocolate Training before we started processing their stuff through our databases. Mmm, Chocolate Training. Totally fascinating, actually.

Some people find Rapunzel's flavor off-putting, though, because they use their particular brand of unrefined, unbleached, organic sugar. (I compare the look of their sugar to red/brown chunky cat litter. It's really disconcerting to people used to conventional bleached refined crystalline sugars, but it's quite good. I hear it is more difficult to bake with, though. Anyway...)

They make really good chocolate. :)
Man, that was a good job. Free chocolate, olives, jams, and things all the time, because we always had to do taste-tests periodically or just got to take home the jars whose shelf-life had expired. (Shelf-life for pickled products - hahahahaha.)

[bluestocking79.insanejournal.com]

I hadn't heard that about Nutella, but I'm glad you shared your findings with us! ~eyes half-eaten jar of Nutella in pantry~

we don't have a TJ where I live, but I know several of you who talk about it in religious terms

Hee! Trader Joe's does inspire fanatical devotion! I have to admit I'm one of the devoted, so I'll be sure to check out their in-store brand of Hazelnut spread. The recipes sound very interesting as well.

Flickr Nutella Alternatives group

[(Anonymous)]

Hi,

there's a Nutella Alternatives group on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nutellaalternative/

we're collecting snapshots of Nutella substitutes and alternatives. Feel free to join us.