TikTok users are eating whole lemons and rinds as part of a bizarre new food trend that’s quickly going viral on the app.
The short-form video app TikTok is filled with a number of quirky and bizarre trends that often go viral and influence millions of people around the world to take part.
The latest trend on the platform is the “lemon snack” craze, which has attracted hundreds of participants so far. This food trend has users eating whole lemons, zest and all, as a delicious snack, but many are wondering why.
Explaining TikTok’s viral “lemon snack” trend
The lemons people are eating as part of the trend are from an Italian company called Lemon Snacks. The company specializes in producing a unique variety of lemon that features an edible peel that is small, low in acidity, and rich in antioxidants.
Unlike traditional lemons, which either need to be peeled or are only used for juice, these lemons are grown specifically to be eaten whole or enjoyed as a snack.
The trend exploded after TikToker lalaleluu, who has 5.6 million followers, posted a video of herself trying out this unique lemon she found at a local store in Germany. Her clip racked up over 9.3 million views, with many commenters expressing a desire to try this fruity snack for themselves.
Unfortunately for those who want to join this trend, Lemon Snack’s specially grown lemons are not widely available in many parts of the world. However, some users are trying regular lemons in an attempt to recreate the experience lalaleluu shared.
Content creator Mahakamid couldn’t find any trendy citrus snacks, but she found lemon quats at her local farmers market. This lemon has “thinner skin and flesh than regular lemons, and is sweeter.” She said in her video that she sliced it and ate it whole, skin and all, and she loved it.
Another user, suciia333, said she “didn’t mind” looking for lemons in snack foods, but encouraged viewers to try “something better”: regular lemons.
She sliced the tangy fruit into ultra-thin slices and topped it with a piece of pickled ginger for sushi before eating the tangy treat. “There’s something about this combination that makes my eyes twitch and it’s so good,” the TikToker said in the video.
This viral food trend comes on the heels of another bizarre TikTok craze where people used broccoli heads to add freckles to their faces.
