by Pistachios have become one of America’s favorite snacks, celebrated for their earthy, slightly sweet flavor and vibrant green hue. Thanks to social media trends and viral snacks like the Dubai chocolate bar, pistachios have experienced a surge in popularity. However, sometimes you bite into a nut that tastes off—slightly bitter, burnt, or simply different from the rest of the batch.
Midwestern TikTok creator and mother of three, Alexa Daniels (@alexasdanielsmomma), recently went viral explaining why that happens—and some viewers say it has completely ruined pistachios for them.
The Viral TikTok That Shocked Snack Lovers
In her now widely viewed clip, Daniels filmed herself in her kitchen holding a plastic container of pistachios. “I don’t know if you know this or not,” she said, “but did you know that when you’re eating pistachios, and every once in a while, you get that pistachio that tastes a little off?”
She then set down the container and scrunched her face. “That actually means you’re eating a bug,” she added, sending some viewers into a panic.
Her caption teased: “I’m joking!!!!! Or am I???”
The video quickly went viral, racking up 1.6 million views, with comments expressing disgust, shock, and horror.
Viewers React: Pistachios Ruined for Many
Many users admitted they could no longer enjoy the snack. “You just killed pistachios for me,” one top comment read, earning more than 25,000 likes.
Another commented, “And just like that I’m never eating pistachios again.”
Others questioned if Daniels was joking, while some went as far as to throw out their remaining pistachios. Comments included:
- “Just threw my bag away, thank you for your service.”
- “I did not know! but now I know for sure I have eaten bugs! Ruined my current fixation for pistachios.”
Clearly, the TikTok struck a chord—and a bit of fear—among pistachio lovers nationwide.
The Truth About “Weird” Pistachios
So, are pistachios really harboring bugs? The answer is partially yes—but not as scary as it sounds.
According to Delish, burnt or sour-tasting pistachios may be the result of navel orangeworm larvae, a pest commonly found on nut trees. Despite the name, the navel orangeworm is not a worm at all—it’s a moth.
These insects lay eggs in the openings or crevices of nuts, sometimes resulting in damaged pistachios. While food processing standards have improved significantly over the years, there’s still a small chance that an affected nut may make it to market, especially if it is raw rather than roasted.
Health Risks of Consuming Affected Pistachios
Consuming a nut damaged by an insect can carry some risk. Dr. Tracy Ellis, an award-winning entomologist from FarmSense, told Delish that insect-damaged nuts may lose their natural protective barrier, making them susceptible to bacterial or fungal growth.
While most cases may only result in an upset stomach, individuals experiencing unusual symptoms after eating a compromised nut should seek medical attention immediately.
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Tips to Avoid Eating a Bad Pistachio
To minimize risk:
- Inspect pistachios carefully before eating, discarding any that look abnormal.
- Store nuts in the freezer, which can help reduce insect contamination.
- Consider buying roasted or salted pistachios, as the roasting process can kill larvae.
With these precautions, you can continue enjoying your favorite snack without worry—though some may forever see pistachios differently thanks to Alexa Daniels’ viral TikTok.
For readers who want to share their thoughts on this nutty revelation, discuss their favorite ways to eat pistachios, or tell us if this changed their snacking habits, visit race-day-live.com and leave a comment to join the conversation
