‘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 love the taste of Nutella and had thought the different colour for the N was just a design choice. As far as Vegemite is concerned, I do not like it at all, much too salty for my taste.
 
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you can also add vegemite to stews, gravy and I still make vegie soup... teaspoon of veg in boiling water with pepper and salt and milk. My Mum gave it to us when we weren't well.
Yes, I've done that as well from time to time. Don't know about the vegie, water, salt, pepper and milk though, I can't imagine the vegie with the milk. :unsure:
 
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Yes, I've done that as well from time to time. Don't know about the vegie, water, salt, pepper and milk though, I can't imagine the vegie with the milk. :unsure:
try it, you might find you like it. It was common while I was growing up and I've drunk it for around 80 years.
 
I was a nurse in hospitals and nursing homes and still watch medical shows on tv to learn new stuff even why my body is missing so many bits which was learned only recently but l prefer to live not just exist. I even found my bowel cancer by checking the paper after I wiped. I learn, not obsess
Giving out secrets, but I also always check as one has to look after themselves. Hubby has been having oncology treatment every 3 weeks at Macquarie University Hospital for the last 18 months as he woke one morning, went to the toilet and found blood in his urine. He knew he had to ring our Doctor, but we always check with our son and daughter-in-law first as they're both Paramedics. After a quick call to our son he went straight to our Doctor and had tests done which came back positive. He's still got another 2 years of treatment to go, hopefully he'll get the all clear then as he's going very well even at this stage.

Hope you're going well and continue to do so, I wish you well.
 
i love the taste of Nutella and had thought the different colour for the N was just a design choice. As far as Vegemite is concerned, I do not like it at all, much too salty for my taste.
Love both Nutella (with sliced berries on top) and Vegemite (decent scrape) - both on toast. Also love peanut butter with sliced banana, banana with honey, and Type 2 food - cheese with jam - enjoying life not being paranoid.
 
Love both Nutella (with sliced berries on top) and Vegemite (decent scrape) - both on toast. Also love peanut butter with sliced banana, banana with honey, and Type 2 food - cheese with jam - enjoying life not being paranoid.
I agree with you - to enjoy ones life and not be paranoid, but eat proportionately. Now, that may depend on what it is you're eating. :unsure: 🍨🍧;)
 
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Giving out secrets, but I also always check as one has to look after themselves. Hubby has been having oncology treatment every 3 weeks at Macquarie University Hospital for the last 18 months as he woke one morning, went to the toilet and found blood in his urine. He knew he had to ring our Doctor, but we always check with our son and daughter-in-law first as they're both Paramedics. After a quick call to our son he went straight to our Doctor and had tests done which came back positive. He's still got another 2 years of treatment to go, hopefully he'll get the all clear then as he's going very well even at this stage.

Hope you're going well and continue to do so, I wish you well.
Hubby is 82 today and I'll be 80 in 2 weeks times, so we're going well.
We're about the same age. I hit 83 on March 18th.
I do hope your husband is progressing well. I started with bone cancer in my foot at 16, then went for Hyster at 32 and they found cervical, about 55 I had tiny skin cancer on my lip and the doozy was 2009 when I discovered I would have bowel cancer. That's when local hospital killed me. I'm a lucky girl because I've not needed Chemo and I've been up the white light twice. I always said I wanted to get to 100 to piss a few people off . hope you both have a great day and stay well
 
We're about the same age. I hit 83 on March 18th.
I do hope your husband is progressing well. I started with bone cancer in my foot at 16, then went for Hyster at 32 and they found cervical, about 55 I had tiny skin cancer on my lip and the doozy was 2009 when I discovered I would have bowel cancer. That's when local hospital killed me. I'm a lucky girl because I've not needed Chemo and I've been up the white light twice. I always said I wanted to get to 100 to piss a few people off . hope you both have a great day and stay well
Mine is March 10th, so we're all Pisces. I'm definitely not just 1 fish, but both going in different directions - 100% Pisces. Because if I see something I like - I'm like " do I take the blue one or the pink one" - "what the heck, I'll take both". :unsure: ;):D
 
Mine is March 10th, so we're all Pisces. I'm definitely not just 1 fish, but both going in different directions - 100% Pisces. Because if I see something I like - I'm like " do I take the blue one or the pink one" - "what the heck, I'll take both". :unsure: ;):D
I understand you so well LOL
 
I have heard that Nutella has less sugar than jam (inc. marmalaide) and less fat than peanut butter - so maybe it isn't quite so bad (unless you eat it by the desertspoonful straight from the jar!!!)
 

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