In addition to Nutella, see the list of the best hazelnut spreads – 7/3/2023 – Food
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Anyone who imagines that there is little difference between hazelnut creams sold on the market is wrong. There is a world of textures, aromas and flavors that can surprise anyone who gives the novelty a chance.
With that spirit, 12 products easily found in large chains, emporiums and online stores were evaluated. Consumers and a specialist took part in the test in the dark, who, after many spoonfuls, chose the best hazelnut creams on the market.
The tasting is part of the Folha Prova evaluations section, which offers the reader a purchase and use guide —white wine, coffee and Brazilian olive oils have already been covered. The result is not a ranking, but a list that assesses the strengths and weaknesses of a range of brands.
It is not known for sure when the idea of combining chocolate and hazelnuts came about, but this mixture was already found in the region where Italy is located in 1800, says Otavia Sommavilla, confectioner and author of the series of books “Encyclopedia of Cakes” (ed. Improvements).
“One version of the story says that, with the blockade of goods caused by Napoleon, Turin’s confectioners were left with a low supply of cocoa. As the region produces a high quality hazelnut, it was added to the chocolate preparation”, says .
Although the products have two main ingredients in common, hazelnut and cocoa, other elements make a difference in the result, such as the amount of sugar and the type of fat used. The percentage of hazelnut in the composition is an indicator of quality — the higher it is, the better the cream tends to be.
The test brought together copies of 12 Brazilian and imported brands, which cost between R$ 12 and R$ 61.
Four consumers participated in the jury: Daniel Marinho Jerônimo, 36, public servant; Karine Viana, 24, violinist; Vera de Mattos Gasparian Sartori, 65, sociologist; Lucas Alonso, 30, journalist for Sheet.
The group was completed by confectioner Otavia Sommavilla, 44, from the applied confectionery course at the Wilma Kövesi de Cozinha School, in the Pinheiros neighborhood, in the western region of São Paulo, where the tasting took place.
Baci Perugina
The hazelnut flavor is very evident in the Italian brand, with crunchy pieces of the nut only noticeable in the mouth —which unanimously pleased the jury and would be a good topping for sweets. “You can notice a more fluid consistency. It’s that cream that will flow if you spread it over the bread”, says Daniel Marinho.
Price: R$61 (200g) at Casa Santa Luzia or R$73.99 (200g) at paodeacucar.com
Camp Nut
“The aroma of chocolate is very present, but I didn’t find the hazelnut flavor remarkable”, says Otavia Sommavilla. “I noticed a certain fine grain that stays in the mouth. It’s a different sensation in a hazelnut cream, but it’s not bad”, says Karine Viana.
Price: BRL 17.90 (290 g), at Atacadão
carrefour
For the group, the product delivers what it promises: it pleases with its striking hazelnut flavor, with just the right amount of chocolate and sugar, and its consistent texture — which would be more difficult to spread on bread, however. “It’s not excessively sweet, it has a beautiful color and the flavors are balanced. It’s delicious”, says Vera Gasparian.
Price: BRL 24.99 (350 g), at Carrefour
casino
With a texture reminiscent of porridge, it is sweeter and could have a stronger hazelnut flavor, according to the jury’s assessment. “It would be better as a complement than to eat alone”, says Karine Viana.
Price: BRL 31.99 (300 g), at Pão de Açúcar
Feletti
Here, the presence of chocolate drew more attention than the other options. It’s a good choice for those who like sweeter flavors. “The consistency pleases, it’s more homogeneous and has a creaminess. I really liked the whole, including the chocolate”, says Otavia Sommavilla.
Price: BRL 26.40 (200 g), at Casa Santa Luzia
Flormel
Despite pleasing those who are not so fond of such sweet flavors, the crunch somewhat disturbed the perception of the hazelnut flavor in the cream, produced by the brand that was born in Franca, in the interior of the state of São Paulo. “It has a good texture, but the crunch leaves you a little lost”, says Vera Gasparian.
Price: BRL 19.79 (150 g), at Carrefour
helocream
The cream has an elastic consistency, with the hazelnut well marked, both in aroma and flavor. “It’s quite thick. The first impression is that it doesn’t seem so sweet and makes you want to eat more. But the sugar appears in the long run”, says Lucas Alonso.
Price: BRL 23.20 (350 g), at Casa Santa Luzia
lindt
It has a firm and homogeneous texture, but it is still easy to pick up by a spoonful. It is not overly sweet and has hazelnut and cocoa in balanced doses. “It’s a hug in the mouth, it’s warm”, says Daniel Marinho.
Price: BRL 49.90 (200 g), at Lindt
Mamma Bia
It was one of the brands that the group of judges did not like so much. The main reasons were the consistency, which was not homogeneous, and the lack of a more present hazelnut flavor. “You know it’s sweet, but you don’t quite identify what it is”, says Daniel Marinho.
Price: BRL 26.98 (350 g), at Mambo
miroh
Cocoa was more felt than hazelnut, less present for most of the judges — with the exception of Otávia Sommavila. “For me, it even resembles pure hazelnut paste. But it is a subtle aroma, easier to be perceived because my smell and taste are trained for this”, she says. The company is based in the south of Brazil.
Price: R$33.30 (180 g), at Casa Santa Luzia or R$32.90 at mirohchocolate.com.br
Nutella
The brand was recognized almost immediately by the jury participants, even with the unidentified samples. “It’s not too sweet, too runny or thick. I’ve never tried other brands before, so that’s in my bag”, says Lucas Alonso. “It’s the typical hazelnut cream, which we consider standard”, says Vera Gasparian.
Price: BRL 24.99 (350 g), at Extra
Mining Triangle
This was another brand that did not win the opinion of the judges. For the jury, the texture of the product is close to that of a dulce de leche, lighter than expected for a hazelnut cream. “It has a beautiful appearance and may please those who like lighter things. But you miss a more marked hazelnut flavor”, says Otavia Sommavilla.
Price: BRL 11.99 (300 g), at Atacadão
Collaborated with Nathalia Durval
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