Social media has been responsible for some truly bizarre food trends (remember spaghetti doughnuts?), but this latest one is making me slightly uncomfortable.
Over the past few weeks, people on TikTok have been posting videos of themselves squirting mustard on watermelon and digging in. As a person who dislikes both of those foods, this sounds like a match made in culinary hell, but it’s apparently a winning combination of flavors that absolutely nobody knew we needed.
This unlikely marriage has probably been tried by a brave eater somewhere before, but TikTok user Yayayayummy may get credit for making it mainstream. On May 3, he shared a video of himself topping a fresh wedge of watermelon with mustard and gleefully chowing down.
He raves about the flavor in the clip that has since been viewed more than 176,000 times.
@yayayayummy<imgsrc=”” alt=”🍉” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”> + <imgsrc=”” alt=”💛” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”> SOOO GOOD!! ##watermelon ##mustard ##hotfoodtake♬ original sound – yayayayummy
According to yayayayummy, the keys to peak flavor are a “juicy” watermelon and French’s yellow mustard. “It has to be French’s,” he says.
“It’s so tangy, it’s so vinegary,” the TikToker adds, saying the mustard’s flavor profile goes perfectly with the watermelon.
Yayayayummy’s video — and the mash-up of mustard and watermelon — got a major boost in popularity after none other than Lizzo took his advice and tried it herself on camera. The Grammy Award-winning musician shared her own TikTok on June 1 to more than 5 million viewers so far.
In the clip, Lizzo pulls a watermelon out of the fridge and pours some mustard onto a slice after saying she’s been “seeing this s— on the internet.” Her initial reaction is a facial expression that looks less than thrilled before she tries another bite and has a similar reaction.
“I don’t understand,” the singer says after the flavors sink in — but it doesn’t stop her from going back for more.
@lizzo##stitch with @yayayayummy ummmm I ended up just eating it w tajin <imgsrc=”” alt=”🤭” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”>♬ original sound – lizzo
It should be noted that Lizzo used Heinz mustard in her taste test, obviously ignoring yayayayummy’s very clear recommendation that French’s be used.
Are you brave enough to try this pairing? I certainly am not.