In today’s world, food trends come and go. Ranging from weird flavors to intriguing ingredients, the world has been creating more trends over the years. So what are some of the food trends that have been going viral over the past couple of months, and what makes them so fascinating?

To begin, one of the latest food trends on TikTok is a Mexican dish called Chamoy Pickles. This is a pickle coated in chamoy, a tangy red sauce that, according to the internet, is surprisingly an addictive snack. Recently, people have been trying chamoy pickles in grocery stores and candy stores, buying kits to make this snack. On the other hand, if you’re more of a fan of refreshing drinks, Hwachae might be your style. This traditional Korean beverage contains a mix of fruits, such as watermelon, pears, strawberries, etc., with some Korean milk and sometimes sparkling water. Another recent food trend, thanks to TikTok, is called pink sauce, which gets its name from its color. This sauce has a sweet flavor with hints of what some may say is garlic or ranch. Recently, people have posted videos of themselves trying this pink sauce with foods ranging from chicken nuggets to pizza. Lastly, while the idea of cheese tea might sound like a joke, the trend originates from Taiwan. This drink has a foamy layer of cheese on top of a cup of tea, which may seem odd at first, but it creates a surprisingly tasty drink according to many others in the US who have tried it. Many Yorba Linda High School students have also heard of and even tried some of these fascinating foods. Yeji Cho (10) comments, “Hwachae is all over my TikTok feed, so I had to try it. My friends and I made it by adding blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon with Sprite and a Korean milk base into a bowl.”

Besides actual foods, Gen Z terms like “girl dinner” are also the latest social media trend. Essentially, it means to have a meal that’s quick, simple, and casual. For instance, leftovers, fruits, cheese, or even a spoon of Nutella count as a “girl dinner.” The entire point is that there is no complicated recipe, but it somehow satisfies one’s hunger. After a while, as a response to “girl dinner,” people began to create the term “boy dinner.” While girl dinner is the thought of aesthetics and snack foods, boy dinner leans into the side of high-protein and large-portioned foods.

Additionally, there will always be new food trends, but the controversial culinary questions stay the same. First off, the debate over pineapple on pizza is one of the most controversial food trends of all time. Some people are supporters of this famous combo, arguing that the pineapple completes the ham and cheese on top of the pizza. Others, however, see it as an unforgivable sin. Milanee Abucay (10), a sophomore at YLHS, argues, “I like pineapple on pizza but only if there are also other toppings. Overall, I don’t see why people are making such a big deal out of some good Hawaiian pizza.” Next, for the people who have dipped a French fry into a milkshake, you might have realized that this combination is weirdly delicious. Dipping fries in a milkshake is a food trend that may sound unappetizing at first, but it has become a fan favorite. Many people like and dislike this combination, but Addison Kopizcko (10) states, “I’ve tried dipping my french fries in my milkshake before, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the combination. I don’t think the saltiness of the fries goes with the thick texture of the milkshake very well.” Finally, peanut butter and pickles might seem unusual to some, but this pair has gained much fame over the years. Many people might argue how the bitterness of the pickles balances out the peanut butter. Commonly enjoyed as a quick snack or craving, this combination has even been approved by celebrities like Elvis Presley.

Ultimately, food trends come and go, but some of these combinations and dishes continue to captivate us. While some foods may not be for everyone, there’s an interesting appeal in how the ingredients come together, adding a uniqueness to the flavors. From some tangy chamoy pickles to the viral pink sauce, these food crazes show that our world is always evolving and that social media plays a significant role in these trends. Overall, humans are drawn to new experiences or, in this case, unexpected dishes and cooking techniques. Though some of these trends may seem odd, at the end of the day, it is all part of the fun in experimenting and discovering new tastes.