At this point, is Nutella a spread or a lifestyle? For more than 60 years, the chocolate-hazelnut delicacy has elevated the taste of toast, croissants, and milkshakes worldwide. It's even been used to give savory snacks like pizza or grilled cheese a dessert twist, and several official Nutella cafes across the United States serve up baguettes, pound cakes, and gelato to die-hard chocoholics.

But few know the fascinating — and surprisingly political — tale behind its ancestor: gianduia. Let's travel to Turin, a northwestern region of Italy that's the capital of Piedmont. Head southwards and you'll reach the hilly landscape of the Langhe, a region famed for its vineyards, gastronomy, and yes, hazelnuts, or as the locals call them, tonda gentile delle Langhe (the sweet round nut of the Langhe).