In this articleSections: 7
- 1How do you read the label of chocolate spreads?
- 2What makes an alternative healthy?
- 3Benefits of hazelnuts and dark chocolate
- Hazelnuts: the anti-inflammatory star
- Dark chocolate: real cocoa
- 46 ideas for using hazelnut butter and dark chocolate
- 5Onjil Hazelnut Butter & Dark Chocolate
- 6Frequently asked questions
- Is hazelnut butter and dark chocolate suitable for children?
- How do I make homemade Nutella?
- Where should I store this butter?
- 7Related articles in the Onjil Magazine
Few people dislike the taste of the famous hazelnut-chocolate spread. But if you've ever read the label on these products, you were probably surprised: the first ingredient is usually sugar, followed by vegetable oil, while hazelnuts often make up only a small share. In this Onjil article, we look at what a healthy Nutella alternative should offer and why hazelnut butter with dark chocolate is the better choice.
How do you read the label of chocolate spreads?
On food labels, ingredients are listed in order of quantity, from most to least. So:
- If sugar comes first, sugar is the largest component of the product.
- If vegetable oil or palm oil appears before hazelnuts, the product's main fat comes from oil, not from hazelnuts.
- Pay attention to the hazelnut percentage; in many commercial products this figure is below 15%.
- The presence of flavorings and emulsifiers is a sign of a more heavily processed product.
What makes an alternative healthy?
| Criterion | Typical industrial chocolate spread | Ideal healthy alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Sugar | Hazelnuts |
| Type of fat | Added vegetable oil | The natural fat of the hazelnuts themselves |
| Type of chocolate | Little cocoa powder and powdered milk | Dark chocolate |
| Protein and fiber | Low | Higher |
| Vitamin E and manganese | Negligible | Significant (from hazelnuts) |
Benefits of hazelnuts and dark chocolate
Hazelnuts: the anti-inflammatory star
Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E, manganese and monounsaturated fats, and their phenolic compounds have antioxidant properties. You can read more details in the article Benefits of hazelnuts.
Dark chocolate: real cocoa
Dark chocolate has a higher cocoa percentage than milk chocolate, so it contains more flavanols, iron and magnesium, and its sweetness is milder. That deep flavor means you're satisfied with a smaller amount.
6 ideas for using hazelnut butter and dark chocolate
- Classic breakfast: toast or fresh barbari bread + a layer of chocolate hazelnut butter.
- Weekend crepes: thin crepes with chocolate hazelnut butter and banana slices.
- Chocolate oatmeal: rolled oats with milk, a spoonful of chocolate hazelnut butter and a few chopped hazelnuts.
- Dessert in a glass: Greek yogurt, crushed whole-grain biscuits and chocolate hazelnut butter; find more ideas in Healthy desserts with nut butter.
- Cake and cookie filling: put a teaspoon of chocolate hazelnut butter in the middle of cookies and bake.
- Hot chocolate: dissolve a spoonful in hot milk; a wonderful winter drink.
Onjil Hazelnut Butter & Dark Chocolate
Onjil's blended hazelnut butter and dark chocolate is made with quality hazelnuts and dark chocolate and has a chocolatey, deep, nutty flavor. Its creamy texture spreads easily on bread and suits family breakfasts, desserts and baking. If you'd rather have it completely sugar-free, choose Onjil Pure Hazelnut Butter, and for a milder taste, try hazelnut butter and white chocolate.
Reminder: Any product containing chocolate also contains sugar. A healthy alternative means a better choice, not a limitless treat; one to two spoonfuls a day is a reasonable amount.
Frequently asked questions
Is hazelnut butter and dark chocolate suitable for children?
Yes, as long as they have no nut allergy. Some children like the bitter taste less; for them, hazelnut butter and white chocolate or peanut butter and milk chocolate is a more appealing option.
How do I make homemade Nutella?
Grind roasted hazelnuts until creamy and add melted dark chocolate. However, this takes time and needs a powerful food processor; Onjil's ready-made butter gives you the same experience more quickly.
Where should I store this butter?
At room temperature in a dry place. Refrigerating it makes it firm.
Onjil recommends: Order Onjil's blended hazelnut butter and dark chocolate from the Onjil shop, and to compare Onjil's chocolate butters, use the butter comparison tool.
Related articles in the Onjil Magazine
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