Iceland is in a pickle and it has to do with cucumbers. Not due to its abundance but due to its shortage.
Iceland prides itself on its self-sustaining agriculture. But what happens when unprecedented demand for cucumbers puts a strain on its grocery stores? The Scandinavian nation is currently grappling with a cucumber crisis. Read on to know what’s the reason behind this vegetable’s disappearance from shelves.
Viral TikTok Trend Causes Cucumber Frenzy In Iceland
Would you believe, it if we were to tell you that Iceland’s cucumber crisis would have something to do with a TikTok sitting in Canada? Well, that’s the power of social media! Logan Moffitt, a Canada-based TikToker boasts of 5.5 million followers and a steady stream of cucumber recipes which he has been uploading since July.
His cucumber salad recipes have been taking over social media and how! The Tiktoker mixes his grated cucumbers with flavour-enhancing ingredients like sesame oil, chilli oil, peanut butter, vinegar, tomatoes, cheese and other veggies. He has his followers across the world especially in Iceland, shopping for cucumbers, pickling, chopping and consuming this salad veggie like never before.
The Nordic country is facing an imaginable cucumber shortage where an ’emergency shipment’ of the veggie from the Netherlands is needed to cater to the burgeoning demand. 30-year-old Daniel Sigthorsson told The New York Times that cucumber is one thing they never run out of in the country. But then he couldn’t find the veggie at his local grocery store.
Also Read: No Time To Cook? Make Cucumber Tambli, A South Indian Dish That Cools The Body; Recipe Inside
Rise In Sauces & Other Ingredients Needed For Recipes
Kronan a major online store stated to the BBC that they witnessed a staggering 200 per cent rise in not just cucumber but the ingredients needed to prepare the viral cucumber salad recipes. This included ingredients like fish sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. Logan Moffitt is popularly called ‘Cucumber King’ by his fans and followers. Who’d think a bloke from Canada would teach TikTokers to eat their veggies (cucumber in this case)?!
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As per a report by The First Post, while the viral TikTok trend has strained the cucumber produce in the country. It isn’t the sole reason for its shortage. The climate and the bulk orders to cater to schools are also valid reasons.
Also Read: Chef Kunal Prepares Tasty Smashed Cucumber Salad; Recipe Inside
Well, have you tried Logan’s cucumber recipes, yet?
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