Nutella Vs Wegmans Vs Lidl Hazelnut Spread Taste Test

Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by Brian Kachejian

Feature Photo and design by Brian Kachejian

There are certain food brands that stop being just products and become part of everyday life. Nutella belongs in that category. In Europe especially, Nutella is everywhere. Walk through train stations in Italy, France, Germany, or Belgium and you see Nutella croissants, Nutella crepes, Nutella pastries, Nutella filled doughnuts, and giant displays stacked floor to ceiling with jars of the famous spread. In many European homes, Nutella is treated almost like peanut butter is in the United States, a daily staple sitting permanently on the kitchen counter.

Nutella traces its roots back to Italy and the Ferrero company, founded by Pietro Ferrero in Alba, Piedmont, during the years following World War II. Cocoa shortages forced confectioners to become creative, leading Ferrero to combine cocoa with hazelnuts, which were plentiful in the region. That idea evolved over time into the creamy hazelnut spread that eventually became Nutella in 1964. The product exploded internationally because it delivered something unique, a balance of chocolate sweetness, roasted hazelnut flavor, and an unbelievably smooth texture that felt luxurious without becoming overwhelming. Over the decades, Nutella became one of the most recognizable food brands in the world, selling in more than 150 countries and developing an almost cult-like following among dessert lovers.

Because of Nutella’s enormous success, supermarket chains and private label brands have spent years trying to create cheaper alternatives. Some lean harder into the hazelnut flavor, others try to increase the chocolate intensity, and some attempt to compete mainly on texture and price. That is where stores like Wegmans and Lidl entered the picture. Wegmans built its reputation through high quality store brands and upscale grocery experiences, while Lidl, which originated in Germany, became one of Europe’s most aggressive discount supermarket chains by offering lower cost private label products designed to challenge national brands directly. Lidl’s shelves are filled with products inspired by famous European and American foods, and hazelnut spread became one of the most obvious battlefields.

This taste test became especially interesting because it included four different competitors. There was the original Nutella, the Wegmans hazelnut spread, Lidl’s Berryhill version, and a higher end Lidl branded hazelnut spread containing actual hazelnut pieces. At first glance, most of them looked surprisingly similar. The colors stayed close to the classic Nutella appearance, although the textures immediately revealed some differences. The Nutella moved more smoothly inside the container, while the Wegmans version appeared heavier and denser. The higher end Lidl spread immediately stood apart because of the visible hazelnut chunks mixed into the product.

Originally, pretzels were going to be used as the tasting vehicle. Clancy pretzels from Aldi entered the contest briefly, giving practically every major supermarket involved some role in the video. That idea disappeared quickly after the first bite because the pretzel flavor interfered too much with the spreads themselves. Once the tasting shifted to eating the spreads directly, the differences became much clearer.

The Wegmans hazelnut spread opened the competition with a powerful hazelnut flavor. The texture felt smooth and rich, but the hazelnut intensity dominated everything else. It delivered exactly what the label promised, heavy duty hazelnut flavor from start to finish. The problem was balance. There was not enough chocolate sweetness or cocoa presence to create the rounded flavor profile that makes Nutella so addictive. The Wegmans version scored a respectable 7 out of 10, but right away it became clear that this contest might revolve around whether anyone could match Nutella’s balance rather than simply matching its hazelnut strength.

Then came Nutella.

The difference was immediate.

Nutella delivered a smoother and more complete flavor profile that blended hazelnut, cocoa, sweetness, and creaminess into something far more refined. The hazelnut flavor remained present, but it no longer overwhelmed the palate. Instead, the chocolate and cocoa notes softened everything into a spread that tasted fuller and more luxurious. It was sweet without becoming sugary, rich without becoming heavy, and smooth without tasting artificial. The reaction during the tasting said everything. Nutella earned a perfect 10 almost instantly because it simply operated on another level.

Lidl’s Berryhill hazelnut spread performed better than expected. The texture came across smoother than the Wegmans version, and the nut flavor felt slightly more controlled. It still leaned heavily toward roasted hazelnut rather than chocolate sweetness, but it remained enjoyable and easy to eat. That version landed at a solid 7.5 out of 10. Lidl’s premium hazelnut spread with hazelnut chunks introduced a completely different texture experience. The crunch added personality, almost pushing the product closer to a dessert peanut butter than a classic hazelnut spread. It was richer and more textured, but the chunkiness slightly distracted from the smoothness that made Nutella so satisfying. That version earned a 7.4.

What made this contest fascinating was not really who won. The outcome became obvious very quickly. Nutella dominated so completely that the competition almost turned into a lesson about how difficult it is to duplicate certain iconic foods. Many companies can create decent hazelnut spreads. Some can even create very good ones. But Nutella has a signature flavor profile that instantly separates it from everything else. The balance is so precise that every competitor ends up tasting like it is chasing something it cannot fully catch.

That does not mean the other products failed. Far from it. The Lidl and Wegmans versions delivered strong value, good flavor, and enjoyable textures, especially considering the lower prices compared to Nutella. They were fun to compare, fun to analyze, and honestly fun to keep eating throughout the video. The hardest part of this entire review may have been resisting the temptation to sit there with a spoon and finish the entire jar of Nutella after the cameras stopped rolling.

Final Rankings

#4 – Wegmans Hazelnut Spread
Score: 7 out of 10

#3 – Lidl Premium Hazelnut Spread With Hazelnut Pieces
Score: 7.4 out of 10

#2 – Lidl Berryhill Hazelnut Spread
Score: 7.5 out of 10

#1 – Nutella
Score: 10 out of 10

Nutella entered this contest as the giant everyone wanted to challenge. By the end of the tasting, it became obvious why the brand remains so dominant around the world. The flavor is unmistakable, the texture is nearly impossible to duplicate, and the overall experience still feels richer and more complete than the growing army of supermarket competitors trying to take it down.