The latest social media trend in China involves young people competing to consume strawberries without using their teeth, aiming to leave behind a "strawberry skeleton" with only seeds and white veins. Originating from a post on Xiaohongshu by a user named @Aqing, this challenge emphasizes the art of sucking the fruit to consume all the red pulp. Participants have earned the nickname "leech gods" for their prowess.
The craze has led to a variety of stunts, including attempts with other fruits. This phenomenon is not China's first strawberry-related social media fad, reflecting the country's significant production of the fruit, which accounts for 37% of the world's total.