Culinary crimes: Social media's most outrageous food trends leave many scratching their heads
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In the ever-evolving culinary world, where fusion cuisine and exotic ingredients are often celebrated, a new trend has emerged that's causing quite a stir—and not necessarily for the right reasons.
This baffling phenomenon has taken social media by storm, leaving many food enthusiasts and seasoned gourmands utterly flabbergasted.
While some embrace the novelty, others are sceptical about its appeal and practicality. This latest culinary craze has sparked a lively debate online, with strong opinions on whether it should gain widespread acceptance.
The term ‘food crime’ encompasses a range of culinary faux pas, from bizarre flavour pairings like tuna with sliced grapes to questionable meal choices such as mushy boiled meat and even the peculiar ways some people choose to consume their food.
For instance, have you ever witnessed someone meticulously nibble the chocolate off a Mars bar before savouring the caramel and nougat separately?
Or perhaps you've encountered someone who enjoys mashed potato as their first meal of the day?
These gastronomic oddities have exploded on social media platforms, where over 105 million posts showcase creators indulging in combinations that defy conventional wisdom—peanut butter on pickles, mustard on watermelon, and even honey on McDonald's French fries.
It's a trend that nearly nine out of ten Australians are aware of, according to a survey conducted by Heinz.
The fad has even infiltrated mainstream media, with breakfast TV hosts on Today Extra bravely sampling a KitKat slathered in tomato sauce, a concoction that has left viewers around the globe either intrigued or repulsed.
Sylvia Jeffries, one of the hosts, was unequivocal in her verdict after a taste: ‘Terrible, I hate it. Tomato sauce belongs on a sausage.’
Meanwhile, Aussie radio host Hope Endean shared her encounters with food crimes, including a friend's peculiar habit of eating a Crunchie bar's chocolate first and then the honeycomb.
She also recounted the sight of a co-worker tucking into mashed potato at the crack of dawn.
The conversation spilt over into the comment sections of social media, where users share their own quirky eating habits.
One commenter shared that, similar to the radio host’s friend, they eat the chocolate off a Mars bar first, then enjoy the caramel and nougat separately.
Another mentioned adding tomato sauce to her eggs, while a third confessed to spreading mashed potato on garlic bread.
Some food brands are even capitalising on this trend, with Heinz launching a line of unconventional mayo flavours, including Sweet Chocolate-Mayonnaise.
Former Aria Chef Alex Landon-Harmer isn't surprised by the popularity of the food crime trend, attributing some of its appeal to the influence of culinary TV shows and personalities like Gordon Ramsay, whose critical approach to food has become a cultural touchstone.
‘For some, Gordon Ramsay’s harsh but fair judgements have become the norm, so we’re seeing people critique weird flavour combinations, unappetising meals, and “food crimes” more so than they would previously,’ he explained.
Although it's common and often popular to critique others' eating habits, Chef Landon-Harmer noted that there are no definitive rules for determining what constitutes a food crime.
‘The key thing to remember is that our tastebuds are as complex as we are, and they often vary depending on culture, age, geography, and the flavours we’re exposed to. What I might deem as a crime against tastebuds might be someone else’s dream last meal,’ he said.
He also mentioned that sometimes the most unusual food combinations can surprisingly work well, particularly when mixing sweet and savoury elements.
‘Avocado chocolate brownies, olive oil ice cream, peanut butter and bacon burgers, and even beetroot and chocolate have all grown quite the fanbase online, with TikTok creators coming up with some delicious recipes for each,’ the chef pointed out.
However, Chef Landon-Harmer cautioned that there are combinations ‘that probably shouldn’t see the light of day’.
‘Flavour combinations that shouldn’t be paired together, I’d say anything that disrupts the structural integrity of an ingredient or where the flavours oppose one another are both no-go’s,’ he asserted.
‘Mixing milk with lemon juice, which leads to curdling, or something insane like tinned tuna and apricot jelly, for example.’
The phenomenon extends beyond just flavour pairings to include the way people eat certain foods.
Celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, with her unique method of eating a KitKat, and Khloe Kardashian's iconic salad shake, have contributed to the widespread nature of these food crimes.
Additionally, an ice cream-eating tutorial making the rounds has also attracted significant attention and commentary.
‘My sensitive teeth are crying just by watching this,’ one commented.
‘I don’t think any of these ways are normal,’ another remarked.
Research from Heinz revealed that two-fifths of Aussies have witnessed a food crime firsthand, with 28 per cent feeling confused, 26 per cent being appalled, and 23 per cent feeling shocked at what they saw.
This is particularly evident on online forums, where users have posted extensively about food crimes, sharing thousands of examples of both what they've observed and their own questionable eating habits.
‘Using [tomato sauce] as a base for pizza or pasta sauce,’ one user shared.
‘I grew up with a mother who put butter and white sugar on rice,’ another said.
‘I used to live with a roommate, and every time a bottle of sauce was about 2/3 empty, he would fill it up with water and shake it before to 'get his money's worth.' I thought it was absolutely disgusting,’ a third chimed.
As social media continues to showcase bizarre food trends, it's essential to stay mindful of our eating habits and their potential impacts on health.
While some food combinations may seem harmless or merely eccentric, recent discussions highlight the importance of understanding how everyday eating practices might relate to broader health concerns.
For instance, experts are now linking certain eating habits to early signs of dementia, underscoring the need for awareness about how our food choices can affect our overall well-being.
Have you ever committed a food crime, or are you a staunch defender of traditional tastes? Share your most outrageous food combinations or thoughts on this trend in the comments below!
This baffling phenomenon has taken social media by storm, leaving many food enthusiasts and seasoned gourmands utterly flabbergasted.
While some embrace the novelty, others are sceptical about its appeal and practicality. This latest culinary craze has sparked a lively debate online, with strong opinions on whether it should gain widespread acceptance.
The term ‘food crime’ encompasses a range of culinary faux pas, from bizarre flavour pairings like tuna with sliced grapes to questionable meal choices such as mushy boiled meat and even the peculiar ways some people choose to consume their food.
For instance, have you ever witnessed someone meticulously nibble the chocolate off a Mars bar before savouring the caramel and nougat separately?
Or perhaps you've encountered someone who enjoys mashed potato as their first meal of the day?
The food crime trend, featuring unusual combinations, unappetising meals, and odd eating methods, has gained popularity on social media. Credit: Shutterstock
These gastronomic oddities have exploded on social media platforms, where over 105 million posts showcase creators indulging in combinations that defy conventional wisdom—peanut butter on pickles, mustard on watermelon, and even honey on McDonald's French fries.
It's a trend that nearly nine out of ten Australians are aware of, according to a survey conducted by Heinz.
The fad has even infiltrated mainstream media, with breakfast TV hosts on Today Extra bravely sampling a KitKat slathered in tomato sauce, a concoction that has left viewers around the globe either intrigued or repulsed.
Sylvia Jeffries, one of the hosts, was unequivocal in her verdict after a taste: ‘Terrible, I hate it. Tomato sauce belongs on a sausage.’
Meanwhile, Aussie radio host Hope Endean shared her encounters with food crimes, including a friend's peculiar habit of eating a Crunchie bar's chocolate first and then the honeycomb.
She also recounted the sight of a co-worker tucking into mashed potato at the crack of dawn.
The conversation spilt over into the comment sections of social media, where users share their own quirky eating habits.
One commenter shared that, similar to the radio host’s friend, they eat the chocolate off a Mars bar first, then enjoy the caramel and nougat separately.
Another mentioned adding tomato sauce to her eggs, while a third confessed to spreading mashed potato on garlic bread.
Some food brands are even capitalising on this trend, with Heinz launching a line of unconventional mayo flavours, including Sweet Chocolate-Mayonnaise.
Former Aria Chef Alex Landon-Harmer isn't surprised by the popularity of the food crime trend, attributing some of its appeal to the influence of culinary TV shows and personalities like Gordon Ramsay, whose critical approach to food has become a cultural touchstone.
‘For some, Gordon Ramsay’s harsh but fair judgements have become the norm, so we’re seeing people critique weird flavour combinations, unappetising meals, and “food crimes” more so than they would previously,’ he explained.
Although it's common and often popular to critique others' eating habits, Chef Landon-Harmer noted that there are no definitive rules for determining what constitutes a food crime.
‘The key thing to remember is that our tastebuds are as complex as we are, and they often vary depending on culture, age, geography, and the flavours we’re exposed to. What I might deem as a crime against tastebuds might be someone else’s dream last meal,’ he said.
He also mentioned that sometimes the most unusual food combinations can surprisingly work well, particularly when mixing sweet and savoury elements.
‘Avocado chocolate brownies, olive oil ice cream, peanut butter and bacon burgers, and even beetroot and chocolate have all grown quite the fanbase online, with TikTok creators coming up with some delicious recipes for each,’ the chef pointed out.
However, Chef Landon-Harmer cautioned that there are combinations ‘that probably shouldn’t see the light of day’.
‘Flavour combinations that shouldn’t be paired together, I’d say anything that disrupts the structural integrity of an ingredient or where the flavours oppose one another are both no-go’s,’ he asserted.
‘Mixing milk with lemon juice, which leads to curdling, or something insane like tinned tuna and apricot jelly, for example.’
The phenomenon extends beyond just flavour pairings to include the way people eat certain foods.
Celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, with her unique method of eating a KitKat, and Khloe Kardashian's iconic salad shake, have contributed to the widespread nature of these food crimes.
Additionally, an ice cream-eating tutorial making the rounds has also attracted significant attention and commentary.
‘My sensitive teeth are crying just by watching this,’ one commented.
‘I don’t think any of these ways are normal,’ another remarked.
Research from Heinz revealed that two-fifths of Aussies have witnessed a food crime firsthand, with 28 per cent feeling confused, 26 per cent being appalled, and 23 per cent feeling shocked at what they saw.
This is particularly evident on online forums, where users have posted extensively about food crimes, sharing thousands of examples of both what they've observed and their own questionable eating habits.
‘Using [tomato sauce] as a base for pizza or pasta sauce,’ one user shared.
‘I grew up with a mother who put butter and white sugar on rice,’ another said.
‘I used to live with a roommate, and every time a bottle of sauce was about 2/3 empty, he would fill it up with water and shake it before to 'get his money's worth.' I thought it was absolutely disgusting,’ a third chimed.
As social media continues to showcase bizarre food trends, it's essential to stay mindful of our eating habits and their potential impacts on health.
While some food combinations may seem harmless or merely eccentric, recent discussions highlight the importance of understanding how everyday eating practices might relate to broader health concerns.
For instance, experts are now linking certain eating habits to early signs of dementia, underscoring the need for awareness about how our food choices can affect our overall well-being.
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