On September 25th, 2018, we caught word of something momentous. M&M’s announced that they would be blessing us with a Hazelnut Spread flavor, a permanent edition to their candy collection. Now, after months of not-so-patiently waiting, the Nutella-M&M’s hybrid we’ve been dreaming of has hit store shelves. So of course, we had to get our hand on a bag (okay, six bags).
For scientific purposes, we wanted to find out if this new M&M tastes like Nutella covered in a colorful candy shell.
According to the press release that had us drooling, these treats “feature a hazelnut spread center, covered in delicious milk chocolate,” which sounds like Nutella to us. After all, who hears “hazelnut spread” and doesn’t automatically picture a jar stuffed full of the popular spread?
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But, does it actually taste like Nutella?
I, personally, felt that these taste more like hazelnut than they do Nutella. At first, it just tastes like a normal M&M, but the aftertaste is definitely that of a hazelnut. And when you take a small bite, you’ll notice that the light brown inside looks more hazelnut-y than chocolatey. Hence, the lack of a Nutella-like flavor. After pouring several handfuls in my mouth, it became too much for my stomach and I had to stop. Yet, these M&M’s are sitting here, tempting me, and I will probably go back for more (just in moderation). I give them an 8/10.
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As for Gina, our editor in chief, she said, “These were not what I was expecting, but the more I eat, the more I realize how much I love these. They’re more hazelnut-y than Nutella, and the center isn’t chocolate-y like the front of the package suggests — it’s a creamier filling. It’s pretty decadent and has a nice salty aftertaste.” Aside from giving these a solid 10/10, she added that these are an instant classic (which would explain why M&M’s immediately added them to their permanent lineup).
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Sade, our associate social media manager, echoed Gina’s feelings when it came to the saltiness of this flavor.
However, she felt that these taste “more like a salted chocolate spread,” and less like Nutella, giving them a 7/10 rating.
“I like that this flavor is new, but still true to the original taste,” explained Brand Designer Editor Anna, who rated these 9/10. “It’s a little nuttier, a little saltier, and a little creamier, but still looks and generally tastes like an M&M. I like that the texture is akin to their peanut butter-filled M&M’s, and I like that it tastes more like hazelnut than just a copycat of Nutella’s flavoring.” She makes an important point — aside from not wanting to get sued for copying Nutella’s recipe, M&M’s probably (and legally) wanted to create their own unique hazelnut flavor.
And it certainly is unique.
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Bailey, our editorial assistant, also made a great observation: M&M’s didn’t skimp out on this product, making each individual M&M look slightly larger than normal. “I loved the crunch from the shell followed by the smooth, creamy texture of the inside,” Bailey said. “I love me a soft and crunchy texture combo when I’m eating. It wasn’t apparent that it was a hazelnut flavor at first, and I noticed it more in the aftertaste. I don’t think calling this flavor ‘hazelnut spread’ — which obviously implies Nutella — is accurate, because the inside flavoring isn’t even chocolatey. It’s just creamy.” Bailey adds that she will definitely be eating these again, especially when she has a chocolate craving. Her rating: 8/10.
And what does everyone else think?
That is one of the most sincere thanksgivings we’ve ever witnessed (especially online).
We’re not the only ones conducting scientific research, people!
Tonight on my way home, I stopped by the M&M’s store in Times Square to pick up hazelnut spread M&M’s... For science!
— 𝕵𝖔𝖓 (@JustJon) April 2, 2019
.#mms #mandms #hazelnutspread #nutella #mmsnewyork @mmschocolate https://t.co/XGBaVW7zCl pic.twitter.com/iR2La2btcV
We swear it’s not because we’re addicted to sweets.
Though not many people have tweeted about them yet, they do seem to be an instant favorite.
Shovel snow? That’s how you know it’s serious.
We’re in love with this view of the M&M’s store:
Went to the M&M store~ The new hazelnut M&Ms are to die for! pic.twitter.com/pESxBGejWv
— 𝕃 𝕦 𝕜 𝕒 ♡ (@pastelboi_luka) March 30, 2019
We bet being there made the M&M’s taste that much sweeter.
They sound great AND taste great.
I have many thoughts on M&Ms flavors at the moment. Love the sound of hazelnut spread. Next they make a shortbread and/or cookie dough flavor? @mmschocolate
— Laur (@laur1388) April 3, 2019
And yes, we are totally down for both a shortbread flavor and a cookie dough flavor. Those sound amazing.
However, not everyone is a fan. To each their own!
To be fair, caramel M&M’s make our sweet tooth hangry.
Guys, someone made Hazelnut Spread M&M’s cookies:
We are in the presence of a true genius.
The following user had the same reaction as us. It’s definitely more hazelnut-y than chocolatey.
Girls Who Snack gave them a 6/10, saying that they were simply okay.
“I didn’t hate them… but I didn’t love them.”
Ultimately, though the Hazelnut Spread M&M’s don’t taste like Nutella, they are definitely worth a try — especially if you, too, are a candy scientist with a hypothesis.
