Nougat cream in the test: This brand even beats Nutella!

Nougat cream in the test: This brand even beats Nutella!

In a comprehensive blind tasting of 28 nougat creams, the well-known gourmet magazine Gault & Millau determined the best products. The jury, consisting of experts such as the editor Martina Hohenlohe and chocolate expert Thomas Kovazh, evaluated the creams using various criteria. These included taste, consistency and sweetness. Particularly noteworthy: The popular Nutella from Ferrero did not make it into the final.

The test group was divided into two teams to comprehensively evaluate the variety of nougat creams. Surprisingly, a discounter nougat cream secured first place, which underlines the quality of products outside the premium brands. According to Gault & Millau, the Penny Nuss-Nougat cream with a price of € 4.98/kg was the best product, followed by the vegan "Nutella Plant Based" for € 9.98/kg and the palm oil-free Bio Natura Natura Nuss-Nougat cream for 7.40 €/kg. The results are summarized in the following table:

market development of hazelnuts

The results of the tasting are in the context of a significant trend on the hazelnut market. According to Mordor Intelligence , the market for hazelnuts between 2024 and 2029 will probably grow with an annual growth rate of 8.10 %. In 2024 a market size of $ 554.14 million is expected, and demand in Europe, the largest market, is particularly strong.

Turkey is the main producer of hazelnuts and covers about two thirds of global production. A few years ago, in 2014, a cold collapse on the Turkish Black Sea coast led to a noticeable decline in harvesting and caused an increase in world market prices by 60 percent. Despite these challenges, the manufacturers were able to store sufficient stocks in order not to endanger the production of nut nougat creams. In the tested products, hazelnuts were found in quantities of up to 45 percent so that the legal requirements could be met.

health benefits and applications

hazelnuts are not only known for their taste, but also for their health benefits. They are rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid as well as alpha tocopherol (vitamin E). These nuts can help reduce the LDL cholesterol level and increase HDL cholesterol. There are hardly any limits to their use in food, drinks and cosmetics.

Hazelnuts play a central role, especially in German cuisine, especially in baked goods. Especially in the chocolate industry, where hazelnuts make up up to 90 % of the total nut consumption, they are a sought -after ingredient. Products such as Nutella, Ferrero Rocher or children Bueno are examples of their popularity.

Tasting as well as the market development and the health benefits show that hazelnuts are an essential ingredient in many foods and that the presence of vegetable alternatives in the nut-cream industry is growing. In a market that is growing steadily, the competition between traditional and vegan products remains exciting.

whether vegan or not, the nougat creams are fully popular and are still valued under gourmets and in everyday life.