Fragrance Notes Are Layers Of Scent That Are Layered To Form The Final Fragrance. Fragrance Notes Are Categorised Into Three Main Elements Based On How Long They Take To Evaporate, And How Long They Typically Last Following Application: Top Notes, Heart Notes And Base Notes.

SWEETS AND GOURMAND SMELLS Family

Nutella

Nutella is a rich gourmand accord blending intense hazelnut (often roasted) and creamy milk chocolate. It delivers a dense, sweet, and comforting profile, enhanced by facets of dark cocoa powder and warm vanilla. The scent is indulgent, providing a deep, sensual sweetness and texture in a composition.

Origin: Piedmont, Italy

Extraction: Pressed

Popularity 60/100
Nutella

Origin & Extraction Of Nutella

The history of the hazelnut cocoa spread note in modern perfumery is linked to the celebrated Italian creation, Nutella. This iconic gourmand flavor originated after World War II when cocoa was scarce. Pietro Ferrero, a baker in Alba, Italy, developed the first iteration in 1946: a solid block of chocolate and hazelnut paste known as Pasta Gianduja. This initial creation was based on gianduja, a traditional paste from the Piedmont region. Ferrero later transformed this block into a creamy, spreadable product in 1951, renaming it Supercrema gianduja.

The spread was fully revamped and renamed "Nutella" by Pietro's son, Michele Ferrero, in 1963, launching the first jar in 1964. While not a traditional perfume ingredient, Nutella's success established a globally recognized, comforting gourmand reference for hazelnut and cocoa. This paved the way for modern perfumery accords, such as "Pokan," which mimic beloved food items like caramel popcorn and roasted hazelnut, providing rich, indulgent, and contemporary twists on traditional fragrance structures.

Extraction Methods of Nutella

The extraction and production of Nutella's key components, particularly cocoa and hazelnuts, involve a multi-stage process of mechanical pressing and thermal treatment. Historically, the spread originated as "Pasta Gianduja," a solid loaf that relied on the traditional roasting and grinding of hazelnuts combined with limited cocoa supplies. In this traditional approach, hazelnuts were roasted to release natural oils and then ground until they formed a thick, grainy paste.

Modern commercial production has evolved into a highly controlled industrial process. Cocoa powder is extracted by roasting cocoa beans to a liquid form and then using heavy presses to squeeze out the cocoa butter. The hazelnuts undergo precise quality control, including guillotine inspections and computer-controlled air blasts to remove defects, before being roasted and processed into a silky-smooth hazelnut butter. The latest methods utilize high-speed blending and the addition of non-hydrogenated, 100% RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, which is processed under 200°C to prevent contaminants. This oil is combined with cocoa powder, milk, sugar, and emulsifiers like lecithin in large tanks to create the signature homogenized, spreadable texture that remains stable at room temperature.

The "Nutella" note, which captures the creamy, rich blend of chocolate and toasted hazelnut, is the inspiration for several highly specific gourmand creations that aim for photorealistic accuracy. The most celebrated perfume for directly capturing the scent of the famous hazelnut cocoa spread is often cited as **Jousset Le Gourmand**, which explicitly features a hazelnut cocoa spread note. Similarly, **Kyse Perfumes Cacao Noisette** is frequently recommended by perfume enthusiasts as a nearly exact rendition of pure Nutella, emphasizing the smooth chocolate and nutty core.

  • The trend extends to smaller, artisanal houses that name the confection directly, such as **Sicili Fragances Crepe alla Nutella** and **The Unleashed Apothecary Trat Treat 2**, showcasing the high demand for this comforting and indulgent scent profile.

Within the more mainstream and designer niche space, several fragrances have achieved cult status for their strong, unintentional likeness to Nutella, primarily by expertly balancing hazelnut and chocolate accords with an underlying sweetness. The classic example is **Mugler Angel Muse**, particularly the Eau de Parfum, which combines a velvety chocolate and hazelnut blend over an intense patchouli base, creating a savory-sweet, addictive effect that many users compare to the spread.

  • Other popular choices that lean into the chocolate-hazelnut combination include **Mancera ChocoViolette**, which offers a nutty, dark chocolate profile, and **Cacharel Yes, I Am Delicious**, which is described as having a chocolate-nutty scent with a floral twist.

The influence of the Nutella note highlights the power of the hazelnut accord within the gourmand family, especially when paired with cacao. The toasted flavor of hazelnut is highly prized by perfumers, reminiscent of praline and often used in fragrances to impart a sweet, slightly woody, and indulgent quality. This essential combination is foundational to the "neo-gourmand" movement, as seen in complex compositions like **Trussardi Passeggiata In Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II**, which has been recognized for its delicious chocolate/Nutella character, offering a rich, comforting, and unforgettable signature.

Nutella is a quintessentially seasonal note for autumn and winter, favored for its rich, warm, and comforting gourmand profile. Its intense blend of roasted hazelnut and creamy milk chocolate provides a sense of cozy indulgence that is best suited for cooler weather and festive environments.

Sustainability Of Nutella

Sustainability of Nutella

  • Commitment to 100% RSPO-certified segregated palm oil, ensuring full traceability back to plantations and guaranteeing a supply chain free from deforestation
  • Implementation of the Ferrero Farming Values (FFV) program to support hazelnut farmers through sustainable agricultural practices, improving yields, and enhancing local socio-economic conditions
  • Active participation in global sustainability networks like Bonsucro for cane sugar and partnerships with Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade to achieve 100% sustainably sourced cocoa
  • Advancement of circular economy principles through the design of 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025 and the reduction of virgin plastic use
  • Establishment of the Sustainable Nutrition Scientific Board (SNSB) to research and promote nutrition that optimizes health while respecting global ecosystems

Trivia

While Nutella is a beloved gourmand note in modern perfumery, the signature hazelnut spread was originally created in 1940s Italy as a solid loaf called "Pasta Gianduja" because cocoa was so heavily rationed during World War II that pastry makers used local hazelnuts to stretch their limited chocolate supplies.

FAQ
  • What is the Nutella note in perfumery?

    The Nutella note is a gourmand accord designed to replicate the specific aroma of the famous Italian hazelnut-cocoa spread, characterized by roasted hazelnuts, milk chocolate, and creamy vanilla.
  • What does Nutella smell like in a fragrance?

    It offers a rich, indulgent scent profile featuring the toasted warmth of hazelnuts (often attributed to the molecule filbertone) blended with smooth, sweet milk chocolate and a fatty, spreadable texture.
  • How is the Nutella note extracted?

    There is no direct extraction from the spread itself; instead, perfumers reconstruct the accord using ingredients like filbertone, cocoa absolute, vanillin, and creamy lactones.
  • What are some top perfumes featuring a Nutella or hazelnut-cocoa note?

    Notable fragrances include Jousset Parfums Le Gourmand, Kyse Perfumes Cacao Noisette, and Mugler Angel Muse, which is often cited for its strong likeness to the spread.
  • Is the Nutella note a top, heart, or base note?

    In a fragrance pyramid, the Nutella accord typically functions as a heart note, providing a recognizable and nostalgic comfort-food reference that anchors the composition.