For years, Britons have been mispronouncing one of the nation's favourite chocolate spreads, Nutella. The Italian brand, created in the 1960s, has finally settled the debate: the correct pronunciation is 'NOU-tell-uh', not 'NUT-ella'.
The confusion stems from the brand's name, a blend of 'nut' and 'ella' (meaning 'sweet'), where the 'nut' part is pronounced 'noot' or 'new' in Italian. According to Wales Online, 88% of Brits admitted to saying it wrong.
Jack Bird, a branding expert, explained that the packaging's bold lettering misleads English speakers. Even the brand's own adverts have used the incorrect pronunciation over the years.
In 2021, James Steward, Marketing Director for Nutella at Ferrero UK & Ireland, confirmed the correct pronunciation, saying: 'As Nutella is enjoyed in every corner of the world, there have long been some fun debates on how it should be pronounced.'
Nutella remains a staple in UK households, though France consumes over 25% of the world's supply. So next time you reach for the jar, remember: it's 'NOU-tell-uh'.
