TikTok: The internet's latest trends surface on the popular platform
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TikTok, originally named musical.ly, is a platform where users can post videos, as well as interact with videos posted by other platform users by liking, commenting on, and sharing the short clips. Creators, who create content for their followers have the ability to post and center their channel of their choosing and due to the diversity of the platform, there are content creators for just about every topic you could think of.
One long lasting TikTok trend and popular community is the TikTok food community. Although the preferences for foods are always changing, there are four popular types of food related TikTok recipes and videos.
First, the community of TikTok has taken a liking to healthy recipes. Just by looking up “healthy recipes' ' in the TikTok search bar you will see hundreds of scrollable videos featuring recipes you can follow along with while getting step by step tutorials. Not only is this a fun new trend that allows creators to spread their content and skills. This also allows the viewers to have easy and free access to affordable recipes at the click of a button.
Second, the trend of “Mukbangs' ' has bloomed on tiktok, first becoming popular on youtube in the late 2010’s. Mukbangs consist of creators buying, or making large amounts of food, and eating it in front of the camera. Sometimes this is done for ASMR purposes, and other times just to keep the hungry viewers watching. This might not be the healthiest trend as it promotes consuming an unhealthy amount of food but it is certainly fun to watch!
Third, unexpected food combinations have become quite popular on the platform. Most recently, chamoy and blue raspberry pickles, (which are flavored and colorful pickles, gutted and filled with different chips and candies) have become quite popular. The recent addition of TikTok Shop has made it easier than ever for viewers to buy the same products as their favorite creators. For this trend, it depends on the product that is trending, but the convenience of TikTok Shop certainly makes buying these food combos easier.
Finally, “food hacks” have become extremely popular. The platform is home to creators who make it their mission to get food for cheap and sometimes even free. From videos that show a collection of birthday freebies, to ways to save at groceries stores and restaurants such as Krispy Kreme giving free donuts for each A on a report card. TikTok and its creators have made it way easier for anyone to get affordable food and often deals that would not otherwise be known of.
Overall, although TikTok may not be a host to the most nutritious foods, they sure have helped many viewers find easier access to trendy foods packed with joy and further this amateaur cooking careers.
