Recently, some friends gave me a few packs of Nutella & Go, the on-the-go packs with sticks you’re supposed to use to eat the Nutella with. Very kind, since I do indeed have quite the appetite for Nutella.
There used to only be one version of this: the breadsticks version. But now there is a newcomer on the scene: pretzel sticks. Of course, I never bother eating any of the sticks anyway (Nutella is best served on a spoon) so this is not directly relevant to me. However, because I have such insatiable curiosity, as I was spooning the Nutella out of one pack I started to wonder – which version of Nutella & Go is better?
I wasn’t about to try them myself (really people, why taint Nutella’s perfection with other food?), so I devised an experiment. There’s plenty of wildlife near my house, I thought, so let’s let nature speak for itself.
The contest was on.
The contenders stand tall as they prepare to go head to head.
9:08 am
The experiment begins. The setup is simple: 5 sticks in the ground as follows:
A. Nutella & Go breadstick
B. Nutella & Go breadstick with Nutella on top
C. Nutella & Go pretzel stick
D. Nutella & Go pretzel stick with Nutella on top
E. Nutella. Just Nutella. On a piece of mesquite bark to make up for the lack of a proper stick.
Experimental setup.
View of the experiment from my window.
Stick E, the mesquite bark with Nutella, served as the control. Can’t do an experiment without a control, right? I think that’s what my PhD taught me. And clearly I’m putting that degree to good use.
10:49 am
There has been small but not insignificant action. A few red ants have gathered at the base of Stick B. Some sort of bug has met its fate in the Nutella at the top of the same stick. Black ants have discovered the Nutella on Stick E. There are also a couple of red ants interested in the Nutella on stick D.
Red ants, dead bug, and black ants.
Red ants on Stick B.
Dead bug on Stick B.
Black ants on Stick E.
10:57 am
The black ants have told their friends. Everybody’s on their way to the Nutella party on Stick E! Some sort of flying insect has died in Stick B’s Nutella. That stick is proving to be deadly for all who dare approach.
Red ants on Stick D and black ants on Stick E.
Black ants partying on Stick 5.
Black ants marching to the Nutella sticks.
Dead insect on Stick B.
11:50 am
No major changes. More red ants on Stick B. Sticks A and C (the ones without Nutella) still largely untouched. Black ants still having a rager on Stick E.
Red ants on Stick B and black ants on Sticks D and E.
1:32 pm
Big changes! Something much larger than the ants has come by and knocked over all the sticks. The Nutella on the mesquite bark (Stick E) is completely gone. The nutella on the bread stick (Stick D) is mostly gone. The top of the breadstick (Stick A) has been nibbled, as has the bottom of Stick B, the breadstick with Nutella.
Nutella stick destruction (top view).
Nutella stick destruction (side view).
Nibble marks at the top of Stick A.
What creature could have caused such destruction? Here’s the culprit:
Nutella stick destroyer.
Black ants are doing their best to finish off any Nutella left on Sticks D and E. The red ants have taken their leave.
Black ants on Stick D.
Black ants on Stick E.
2:32 pm
The red ants are back! They’re all over the Nutella breadstick (Stick B). The black ants, however, are still trying to get every morsel of Nutella off the mesquite bark (Stick E). These ants definitely do not intermingle. The black ants are also still showing some interest in the Nutella on Stick D, but clearly prefer Stick E.
Red ants on Stick A.
Black ants on Stick D.
Black ants on Stick E.
3:54 pm
Two sticks have disappeared! Both the Nutella & Go sticks with the Nutella (Sticks B and D) have been taken, possibly to be enjoyed in a less exposed locale. Can’t say for sure what took them. A rabbit and a lizard were spotted nearby, but I doubt Nutella sticks are on their menu. Maybe the lizard liked the ants though.
The remaining sticks.
4:49 pm
I found sticks B and D! Both have lost all remaining Nutella. The breadstick has been nibbled at a bit more and the pretzel stick has lost its salt. The rabbit was hanging out again, but it’s clear who actually took these sticks since they’re near a number of pocket mice holes. No pics of the pocket mice unfortunately, but they look like this.
Stick B has been nibbled some more.
The curious rabbit.
Sticks B and D were found near pocket mice holes.
6:09 pm
No major changes. A beetle is seen traversing the experimental stage.
A beetle checks out the remaining sticks.
6:33 pm
My, my. We’re in luck! The javalinas, which only come round every few weeks, have arrived! There’s at least a dozen of them, with a set of very tiny babies in tow. What are baby javalinas called? Nutella for the first person to tell me.
First javalina goes by.
Baby javalina and mama.
I stayed indoors for the javalinas, since they can be quite aggressive, especially with babies around. Most went around the corner, but one of the bigger ones quickly found the remaining sticks (Sticks A and C; the plain breadstick and pretzel stick) and made quick work of them. Unfortunately from my vantage point I couldn’t tell which was taken first.
Javalina sniffs Nutella & Go stick.
Javalina eats Nutella & Go stick.
We’re lucky the javalinas didn’t come until evening. If they came earlier the experiment would have been over in short order.
7:03 pm
The javalinas are back! I scared them away the first time so they came back to finish their foraging. I carefully ventured outside this time, flashlight in tow. Sadly for our four-legged friends, there were no more rewards to be had. The Nutella & Go experiment was over.
Javalinas come back hoping for dessert.
Disappointed Javalina.
Conclusion
Every good study ends with a conclusion. Here are the main findings:
- The clear winner was Stick E, the mesquite bark with Nutella. The black ants and squirrelly thingy went for this first and ate the Nutella so fast nobody else got a crack at it.
- Next were Sticks B and D, the Nutella & Go sticks with the Nutella on them. Stick D, the pretzel stick, was slightly more popular.
- Last, and certainly least, were the plain pretzel stick and the plain breadstick. The ants didn’t really bother with them and the squirrelly thing took a nibble but left the breadstick. Eventually, the javalinas did what they do best and ate everything edible in their path. But given their unrefined taste that is not a ringing endorsement.
Recommendations
- If you love yourself, don’t buy yourself Nutella & Go packs. If you love your children, don’t buy them Nutella & Go packs. If you love your friends, don’t give them Nutella & Go packs. Save the Nutella & Go packs for people you hate. For those you care about, stick to plain Nutella. Mother Nature gave us this message today.
- The pretzel sticks proved more popular than the breadsticks. If you must buy Nutella & Go packs, buy these. That is, if you’re buying them for people you care about.
- If you are unfortunate enough to be eating a Nutella & Go pack and, against all reason, have decided to consume not only the Nutella but the sticks as well, at least only eat the sticks while the Nutella lasts. Plain sticks are only enticing to javalinas. And they eat trash, literally.
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