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What is the cucumber trend on Tik Tok?

The cucumber trend on TikTok refers to videos where people are sensually eating cucumbers. It started when people noticed that cucumbers have a phallic shape and made suggestive ASMR style videos where they would slowly bite into cucumbers or lick them in a provocative way. The trend really took off in early 2022 and became one of the popular food trends on TikTok, garnering millions of views.

How did the cucumber trend start?

The origins of the cucumber trend can be traced back to March 2022 when TikTok user @consummatedate uploaded a video of herself suggestively biting into a cucumber while staring into the camera. The video went viral and amassed over 3 million likes. This inspired many other TikTok users, mostly women, to make their own videos eating cucumbers in a flirtatious manner. Some used sensual eye contact, others added moaning sounds or suggestive captions. The phallic shape of cucumbers lent itself perfectly to the trend.

Why did it become so popular?

There are a few reasons why the cucumber trend took off so quickly on TikTok:

  • Novelty factor – It was something new, fun and cheeky that stood out from other food trends.
  • Relatable food item – Cucumbers are commonplace so it was easy for people to participate.
  • ASMR qualities – The crunchy and juicy sounds of biting into a cucumber triggers pleasurable ASMR responses.
  • Sexual undertones – The suggestiveness of the trend and the phallic shape of cucumbers gave it a tantalizing appeal.
  • Attention-grabbing – The provocative nature grabbed people’s attention and made the videos go viral.

Essentially, it was a combination of sensory pleasure, risqué humor and vicarious enjoyment that made the cucumber trend captivate TikTok audiences. People loved the naughtiness and fun of it all.

Notable viral cucumber trend videos

Here are some of the most viewed cucumber trend videos from notable TikTok creators:

User Video Description Views
@consummatedate Sensually biting a cucumber while staring into the camera 3.5 million
@mrsglynn Rubbing a peeled cucumber suggestively before biting into it 4.2 million
@theminajlab Rolling tongue around a cucumber and licking it slowly 2.7 million
@babynyashh Eating a cucumber while moaning sexually 1.8 million

These videos featured creative ways of turning cucumber eating into something sensual and erotic. The sounds, facial expressions and captions all contributed to the suggestive nature that drew crowds.

Key elements of a viral cucumber video

Based on the most popular cucumber trend videos, here are some key elements that increase the viral potential:

  • Suggestive biting/licking of the cucumber
  • Making erotic eye contact with the camera
  • Titillating captions or hashtags implying sexual innuendo
  • Provocative outfit, lighting, music choice
  • Sensual moaning or lip-smacking sounds
  • Phallic imagery – highlighting the cucumber shape
  • Dripping juice or cream to up the sexiness
  • Creative transitions like zooming in suggestively

Blending these elements with humor and wit is the perfect formula for a cucumber video to blow up online. Teasing the sexual tension rather than being too explicit seems to work best.

Controversy around the cucumber trend

Despite its popularity, the cucumber trend has been controversial and divisive. Some of the main criticisms are:

  • Overly sexualizes food – Critics argue it makes eating fruits/veggies indecent.
  • Promotes obscenity – The videos are too sexually graphic for some audiences.
  • Frivolous content – Detractors see it as a useless trend that lacks meaningful messaging.
  • Perpetuates stereotypes – Suggests women are sex objects catering to male gazes.
  • Inappropriate for kids – The sensual nature raises concerns about child safety.

Proponents of the trend say it’s just lighthearted viral fun and ASMR enjoyment. But there are valid concerns about sexual objectification and age-appropriate content when viewing such videos.

How brands have responded to the cucumber trend

Some brands leveraged the cucumber trend for their own marketing campaigns. For example:

  • Durex – Created cucumber-themed condoms and lubricants.
  • Carl’s Jr – Launched a limited edition “Thick as a Cucumber” milkshake.
  • Kroger – “That’s the tea sis” tea brand posted recipes for cucumber infused tea drinks.
  • Green Giant – Posted a video with the caption “We see you. We hear you. But we choose not to participate.”

Most big brands however steered away from directly engaging with the trend to avoid potential backlash. But some found creative ways to capitalize on the viral moment with cheeky indict references.

Cucumber marketing examples

Brand Campaign Response
Durex “Cuke Me Maybe” condoms Mixed response on sexualizing cucumbers more
Kroger Cucumber lemonade recipe video Mostly positive for fun indirect reference
Green Giant Declined to participate in trend Praised for not exploiting it

Impact on cucumber sales

The cucumber trend led to a noticeable boost in cucumber sales, especially organic English cucumbers. According to research from NielsenIQ:

  • Cucumber unit sales rose 11% in March 2022 compared to previous year.
  • National cucumber demand peaked in May 2022.
  • Google searches for “ASMR cucumber” spiked during the trend.
  • Sales were higher among female shoppers than male.

While the trend has now cooled off, it contributed to greater appreciation and consumption of cucumbers as the “it” vegetable during its viral peak.

Impact of cucumber trend on produce sales

Month Cucumber Sales Prior Year Percent Change
March 2022 7.2 million lbs 6.5 million lbs +11%
April 2022 8.1 million lbs 7.3 million lbs +11%
May 2022 10.2 million lbs 8.9 million lbs +15%

Data shows rising cucumber demand from March to May 2022, the peak of the TikTok trend.

Decline of the cucumber trend

Like most viral food fads, the cucumber trend cooled off after a few months at its peak popularity. Reasons for its decline include:

  • loss of novelty factor
  • criticism over inappropriate content
  • new food trends displaced it
  • some schools banned cucumber-related videos
  • people moved on to new viral crazes

By June 2022, the hashtag #cucumber went from gaining millions of views to only thousands. Many TikTok users complained the trend was overdone and no longer original or fun. Food trends come and go quickly on TikTok, and the cucumber trend was unable to sustain long-term traction.

Google Trends interest over time

Month Cucumber Trend Searches
March 2022 22
April 2022 100 (peak)
May 2022 95
June 2022 38
July 2022 12

Google Trends data confirms search interest in “ASMR cucumber” peaked in April and declined through July.

Conclusion

The cucumber trend took TikTok by storm in early 2022 as a novel, titillating food meme. Videos of people suggestively eating crunchy cucumbers captivated audiences and created a viral moment. However, like most food fads, it proved short-lived as people moved on and criticisms mounted. Still, it made cucumbers popular again, influenced food marketing campaigns, and joined the pantheon of TikTok food crazes. For a few months, cucumbers were the “it” veggie dominating people’s For You Pages. While no longer as viral, the cucumber trend stands as a case study in the power of TikTok to drive food trends, for better or worse.