Nocciolata Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Have you noticed that spreads are a thing now? It seems every grocery store, bodega, and convenience store is stocked with all sorts of spreads for you to smooth onto toast, dunk a crudite into, or eat straight from the jar. In fact, I already reviewed a dark chocolate peanut butter,  white chocolate peanut butter, and roasted red pepper hummus, if you would like to see. The nut butter-tahini-infusion-raw cacao-whatever spread game is strong, my friends.

Usually, this is no problem as there are a variety of a brands from which to choose that are soy-free. But, what isn't soy-free? Nutella! Grab your box of Kleenex stat because this is one of the saddest stories in food history. Those who suffer from a soy allergy are unable to gorge themselves in what is one of the best snacks ever: chocolatey, hazelnuty, Nutella goodness.

That is why I am thrilled to have discovered +Nocciolata chocolate hazelnut spread. This is almost identical as Nutella but it contains no soy at all, and is organic, too. Perfect! But, how does it perform in the Sans Soy test?

Quality: Velvet and smooth. Thick and creamy. Sweet and nutty. All are adjectives I use to describe Nocciolata organic hazelnut spread. In fact, I dare to say this is the perfect soy-free Nutella alternative. The thick texture makes it perfect to eat on toast, dolloped on oatmeal, out of the jar, or however you please. Although it doesn't use soy to stay emulsified, there is no separation between the chocolate spread contents and minimal stirring is required before consumption. 

Taste: There is little difference between Nocciolata chocolate hazelnut spread and its more well-known cousin, Nutella. The chocolate level is high but the Nocciolata brand is less sweet than Nutella, which I found that to be welcome change from the saccharine taste of Nutella.

Price: The price of Nocciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa & Milk varies depending on vendor. You can buy it for about $4.00 from Amazon here, but it is a bit more expensive at local, organic stores such as Yes! Organic Market in Washington, D.C.

Overall grade: A. Order a jar - or two or three or four! - ASAP. This stuff is the best and probably won't last long in your kitchen cabinet. Nocciolata is the perfect addition to top a banana, sweeten up oatmeal, spread on a crepe, or use on whatever you decide. The possibilities are endless. Although the jars are smaller than a standard tub of Nutella you may be accustomed to buying, the jars are glass, limiting exposure to harmful plastic toxins. Brownie points because the Italian Nocciolata chocolate spread is organic, GMO-free, hydrogenated oil-free, and of course, soy-free!