‘Wait how have I just noticed that’: Nutella logo mystery finally explained!

Logos often hold hidden meanings, with subtle design choices that go unnoticed for years.

But every now and then, a small detail catches the public’s eye, sparking curiosity and debate.

For Nutella fans, that moment came with a long-overlooked feature of the brand’s iconic logo—a design decision that has left many wondering about its true origin.


Nutella fans were stunned after learning the reason behind the black ‘N’ in the brand’s logo, a long-standing mystery that resurfaced following the death of its creator at 97 on 14 February.

Francesco Rivella, known as the ‘Father of Nutella,’ died just days before the tenth anniversary of Ferrero founder Michele Ferrero’s passing.

As Ferrero’s right-hand man, Rivella played a vital role in the company’s success, travelling the world to source the finest ingredients for their signature chocolate brand.


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Nutella fans shocked by a hidden logo detail. Image source: Nutella


He helped transform the Alba-based business into a global phenomenon, working in Ferrero’s innovative ‘Chemistry Room’ to develop new products.

Rivella was not only instrumental in Nutella’s creation but also the one who named the world-famous hazelnut spread.

Many fans had never noticed the colour contrast in the logo until a social media user expressed regret over missing the chance to ask Rivella about it.

‘NOOOOOO I wanted to ask him why the N is black,’ the person wrote while sharing a post about his passing.

Others were shocked to discover the detail for the first time, with one person commenting: ‘Wait how have I just noticed that.’

Another admitted: ‘Never noticed this until now.’


Speculation quickly spread, with some joking that Ferrero might have run out of red ink, while others believed the black ‘N’ highlighted the product’s nutty flavour.

One fan suggested: ‘The contrast with red is supposed to make the logo more memorable.’

Another theorised that trademark issues played a role, writing: ‘This was the name of another brand originally so they changed it up to avoid copyright.’

According to Startup Talky and Logos-World, Ferrero had to alter the design when Nutella first launched to avoid legal conflicts with an existing brand.

The black ‘N’ distinguished the logo while securing Ferrero’s trademark, eventually becoming an iconic part of Nutella’s identity.


The Nutella logo isn’t the only thing with a story—its production process is just as intriguing.

For those curious about how Nutella goes from raw ingredients to the iconic spread we know today, the process is just as fascinating as its history.

Watch the video below to see how Nutella is made on a massive scale using advanced machinery.




Key Takeaways
  • Nutella fans were surprised to learn the reason behind the black ‘N’ in the logo, a long-overlooked detail that resurfaced after the death of its creator, Francesco Rivella, on 14 February.
  • Rivella, known as the ‘Father of Nutella,’ played a key role in the brand’s success, helping develop its products and even naming the iconic hazelnut spread.
  • Many fans had never noticed the colour contrast until a social media post sparked speculation, with theories ranging from design aesthetics to trademark issues.
  • According to Startup Talky and Logos-World, Ferrero altered the logo to avoid legal conflicts with an existing brand, making the black ‘N’ a signature part of Nutella’s identity.

Logos often have hidden details that go unnoticed for years—what other brands do you think have secret design choices waiting to be discovered?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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I bought a jar once and it is definitely an acquired taste-- never bought another jar
I much prefer the original Australia real spread- Vegemite-- just a slight smear across hot buttered toast, and it is delicious.
No need to put it on with a trowel like in the Nutella ads.
 
I bought a jar once and it is definitely an acquired taste-- never bought another jar
I much prefer the original Australia real spread- Vegemite-- just a slight smear across hot buttered toast, and it is delicious.
No need to put it on with a trowel like in the Nutella ads.
No wonder these products taste so good. I like both but the way you describe puting vegemite on your toast, my Mum would call 'BREAD AND SCRAPE". I'd rather have a decent taste of vege.
 
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I bought a jar once and it is definitely an acquired taste-- never bought another jar
I much prefer the original Australia real spread- Vegemite-- just a slight smear across hot buttered toast, and it is delicious.
No need to put it on with a trowel like in the Nutella ads.
Putting it on with a trowel is a sales marketing ploy to make you use it all faster, therefore making you buy more often. Think about the adds on TV, Toothpaste, Shampoo and Conditioner. Every consumable product that a household needs, shows them using way more than is actually needed.

Vegemite is an exception, it used to have the word CONCENTRATED on the label, but that quietly disappeared with no explanation. They are sneaky.
 
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No wonder these products taste so good. I like both but the way you describe puting vegemite on your toast, my Mum would call 'BREAD AND SCRAPE". I'd rather have a decent taste of vege.
me too, you need vegemite on toast, not toast on vegemite.
 
OH please --enough with the crap-- you don't like it don't make crap up about it-- and use spell checker please
what's the use of spellchecker? the spelling is AMERICAN not English. I'm sick of typing something and this machine marks my words with Yank spelling.
 

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