of course, the first ingredient of nutella is sugar. listed second is palm oil, followed by hazelnuts, cocoa, milk, lecithin (soy) and vanillin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the most controversial ingredient in that list is the palm oil. since ingredients are listed on labels in order of quantity, as nutella\u2019s second ingredient, palm oil is a large component of the hazelnut spread\u2019s recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
palm oil is extracted from the palm fruit, which grows on the african oil palm tree. it\u2019s popular as a food ingredient due to its natural properties and versatility: it has a neutral odor and taste, is semi-solid at room temperature, and gives products a creamy, smooth texture.<\/p>\n\n\n
this is especially important for confectionary products like nutella, because using palm oil avoids the use of the hydrogenation process, which creates unhealthy trans fats in products. palm oil is also the most efficient oil, producing about 3.7 tons per hectare (or roughly 2.5 acres), whereas oil from soybeans, sunflowers, or rapeseeds produce much less. that 3.7 tons is equal to about 7,400 pounds \u2013 the equivalent weight of about two and a half toyota prius 4-door hatchbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n