Ok, maybe not evil, but definitely wicked. I bring you the infamous Israeli chocolate spread.
And no, it is NOT Nutella. No nuts in this, just pure evil chocolaty paste:
Pure calories – no nutritional value whatsoever.
Let me share some facts about the Israeli national spread:
- It’s like the peanut butter of Israel (nobody here has real peanut butter unless they’re from America).
- There is one leading brand of chocolate spread: Ha’Shahar. There are competitors. Nutella is one of them, and local companies compete as well. Supposedly they are better but Ha’Shahar is the most popular. It’s the real thing.
- It comes in dairy or non-dairy (parve) versions. I’m told they have a white chocolate version too, but it must be very rare as I’ve never seen it.
- There is no actual chocolate in it. It’s a hideous mix of oil, sugar and cocoa powder. The precise formula is a trade secret.
- It was created back in the 1950′s when the young nation was fighting to absorb waves of immigration and feed them. It is still the same formula and basically the same package too.
- It is disgustingly sweet – no way you can dig into this with a spoon and eat away. You have it in a sandwich or pita bread. It’s also addictive, and one sandwich can easily lead to another.
- Some kids live on the stuff. It’s the only thing they’ll have in their sandwiches for school. Some parents forbid their kids to have it and will provide healthy sandwiches. (That’s why my kids come back hungry from school some days – their friends throw away the healthy food and come begging for my kids’ chocolate spread sandwiches.)
- You can’t celebrate Passover without having matzo with chocolate spread. It’s when their sales are at a peak too – just before the holiday.
So, what about you? Ever tried our national sandwich spread? Liked it? hated it? Share your thoughts!
on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 8:37 pm
This looks good, but i bet isn´t very nutritive, hope kids eat other sources of vitamins and minerals.
Nathan Rodriguez´s last blog ..Seguro de Transporte
IsraeliMom Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:50 am
We usually have lots of vegetables and some fruit and nuts too. Both IsraeliDad and me are vegans, so the food is quite healthy. I can’t say our kids make the healthiest of choices, but hopefully with the food around them and on the table, eventually they will.
Here’s what a typical dinner in our house looks like:
http://www.israelimom.org/general/73/our-dinner.html
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 12:48 am
I’ve only drank one Imperial gallon of the stuff in one sitting. It was OK.
Steve´s last blog ..Amazing Rhododendrons – Part 2 of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Just to understand how much this poison is important here on Passover – Last year, I think, There was a huge theft – thief used several trucks and with help from the inside, emptied the company stock just before Christmas. Nothing short than GoldFinger…
on Feb 6th, 2010 at 1:13 am
LMAO. The Chocolate Domination Files!
We rule the world!
Steve´s last blog ..Blooming Trees – Where and Why To Plant Them
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Oil, sugar, and cocoa powder? This sounds like cake frosting! I assume there’s not much nutritional value in it, how many calories per serving, and what about the fat and sugar content on the label?
Aaron´s last blog ..The Biggest Loser Season 9: Getting Caught Up
IsraeliMom Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Glad to see you over here Aaron and on my webmasters blog as well!
Ummm, I never actually checked the label, you know? I just know it’s a lot. Let me grab it right now.
Oy vey…
No less than 547 calories per 100 grams. 100 grams also have 63 grams of carb (sugar, I guess) and 31 grams of fat. We use the non-dairy version, so no cholesterol and “only” 6 grams of saturated fat. They don’t mention any vitamins or minerals…
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 11:25 am
It is one of the most disgusting Israeli foods! I tried to “go with the flow” few years ago and started buying it, but few months later I gave up on this junk and never bought it again. I explained to my 8 and 6 year old that it’s made of sugar and oil and eventually it will hurt your stomach. I had to do the explanation few times, but one day the subject died out and they don’t care about it any more.
IsraeliMom Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hmmm disgusting is a matter of perspective
It’s like many Israelis think peanut butter is disgusting (my kids wouldn’t touch it). It’s definitely not health food and I know a few parents who don’t allow it (only a few though and even then, their kids have some here and there).
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
It’s certainly fun to see how people eat in countries other than our own. That spread certainly looks like it would satisfy the kids here as well!
Amanda Alexander PCC (ICF)
Professional coaching for working mothers