Written by Audrian Harville
It has been almost a year-and- a-half since I returned from my time over-seas. I studied abroad in Italy with the HUF program and it forever changed me. The beautiful scenery, the people, the experiences. It all affects you in a way that you cannot relate to those who have not gone. However, there is one binding force that ties all who have traveled. No, it isn’t the people, Robbie and Mona Shackelford, or getting to put an SC by your name. It is Nutella. That delectable spread served every morning, noon and night on the table.I feel a little history lesson is in order so that everyone can truly appreciate this lovely concoction. Nutella was invented in the 1940s by Mr. Pietro Ferrero in Italy as a cheaper form of chocolate. At the time, cocoa was very expensive, but hazelnuts were not. Ferrero used this cheaper substitute so that the chocolate could be extended. It was originally called “Pasta Gianduja” and was manufactured in loaf form. Traveling over Europe then to the United States in 1983, Nutella is now a world-wide treat.When I was overseas I feasted upon Nutella every single day. You ate it on bread, you ate it on every kind of fruit you can imagine. (Kiwi and Nutella is actually quite tasty.) You scavenged it off the table to have in your room for later. It was as if some unspeakable force had overcome you and if you did not partake in some of the hazelnut-and-cocoa delight, you would surely perish.One of the best things about going somewhere new is discovering all the new food. Now I must confess that before traveling I was a very picky eater. However, I was soon free of the confines of selective munching and embarked on a new journey of discovery. So when I say that this is the best way to eat Nutella, I am speaking the truth. One cold and dreary evening, a few of us hiked down the hill to go to a carnival in Scandicci. Everyone knows that fair food is the best eats you can find, and this also applies in foreign countries. We found a vendor selling Nutella and banana crepes. They were melt-in-your- mouth good and made it worth the 16 percent grade incline we had to endure to get back home later that night.When I first learned that I would be traveling to Italy, everyone I talked to told me how there was no peanut butter. How you needed to take a jar because this was a great, cheap food that you could take along during your two-week trek of eating only bread. I diligently bought a jar and packed it away, knowing that although it weighed two pounds, it would be worth it when I had a little piece of home with me. The seal was never pulled away from the lid of that jar. Not only did I not use my jar of PB, I completely forgot about its existence. The night before free travel, when we all were packing bags and saying goodbye, I discovered my old friend. I considered taking him on free travel for all of about 10 seconds. I then proceeded to promptly toss him into the box headed for America, making way for my new love and traveling companion. So do not worry Jif and Peter Pan lovers, you will not miss your go-to bread spread. A new nutty sauce is in town, and it means to do business.AUDRIAN HARVILLE is a guest contributor for the Bison. She may be contacted ataharvill@harding.edu
