Nutella lovers have been left stunned after finally uncovering a long-standing mystery hidden in plain sight—the reason why the “N” in the beloved chocolate-hazelnut spread’s logo is black.
While many have enjoyed Nutella for years, few have ever questioned the subtle design choice.
But with the recent passing of Francesco Rivella, one of the key figures behind Nutella’s success, curiosity about the logo has reignited.
The Legacy of Francesco Rivella
On Valentine’s Day, Francesco Rivella, known as the ‘Father of Nutella,’ passed away at the age of 97.
His passing comes nearly a decade after the death of Ferrero founder Michele Ferrero, with whom he worked closely to perfect the brand’s recipes.
Rivella, a chemist by trade, played an essential role in shaping Ferrero into an international powerhouse, even helping to develop products in a Willy Wonka-style chocolate lab known as the ‘Chemistry Room.’
His contributions didn’t just stop at product development—he was also the mastermind behind Nutella’s name and branding.
But one design choice in particular has puzzled fans for years: why is the “N” in Nutella black while the rest of the letters are red?
Social Media Reacts to the Mystery
Following the news of Rivella’s passing, Nutella fans took to social media to express their shock—not just at his death, but at the realization that they had never noticed the color difference before.
One X (formerly Twitter) user, @thankyou_payme, voiced their frustration, writing, “NOOOOOO I wanted to ask him why the N is black!”
Others chimed in with their own thoughts, with one fan joking, “Tragic loss, but now we may never uncover the great Nutella typography conspiracy—gone before his secrets could be spilled.”
As more people noticed the detail for the first time, theories started flying.
“Wait, how have I just noticed that?” one person asked, while another admitted, “Never noticed this until now!”
Theories Behind the Black “N”
With speculation running wild, fans began offering their own interpretations of the design choice.
Some believed it was a branding decision meant to emphasize “nut” in Nutella, drawing attention to the product’s hazelnut content.
Others suggested it was simply an aesthetic choice to make the logo more memorable.
One theory, however, seemed to hold the most weight. According to a fan named @cherryhugs95, the black “N” was a result of trademark issues.
When Nutella first launched, another company with a similar name already existed, forcing Ferrero to tweak its branding to avoid legal complications.
The Truth Behind the Design
It turns out that this theory is actually correct. According to sources like Startup Talky and Logos-World, the black “N” was introduced as a way to differentiate Nutella’s branding while protecting its trademark.
This small yet impactful design choice has since become an iconic part of the Nutella identity, making the logo instantly recognizable worldwide.
So, while Francesco Rivella may no longer be here to answer questions, his legacy lives on—not just in Nutella’s delicious taste, but also in the subtle details that make the brand so unique.
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