Why young people are suddenly eating pudding with a fork

Everyone on TikTok is talking about pudding right now. But instead of spooning it up as usual, many teenagers and young adults reach for their forks. What at first sounds absurd has quickly brought people together in several German cities - from Kronenplatz in Karlsruhe to Feuerseeplatz in Stuttgart.

How it all began

Around 200 people met in Karlsruhe at the end of August. Everyone brought their own cup of pudding. After a short countdown, everyone poked in at the same time - with a fork. No influencers, no brands, no sponsors. Just people who wanted to share an unusual moment. Videos of the flash mob went viral on TikTok, millions of clicks followed and users were already planning meetings in other cities.

The rules

If you want to take part, all you need is a cup of pudding and a fork. The size of the cup doesn't matter, you can come alone or with friends, everything is allowed. There is no entrance fee, no registration and no performance requirements. It is precisely this simplicity that makes the meetings attractive to many: anyone can spontaneously join in and spend a little time with others.

TikTok as a driver

Social media is the driving force behind this trend. The videos from Karlsruhe have been viewed millions of times on TikTok. Users plan train journeys to the next meeting points on Reddit and Instagram. Unlike earlier, risky trends - such as the Tide Pod Challenge of 2018 (young people filmed themselves putting detergent capsules in their mouths and sometimes even eating them) - "pudding with a fork" is harmless, and yet it generates attention and social interaction.

What is behind it?

The campaign comes at a time when many young adults are looking for social encounters. After the pandemic and in the face of political and economic uncertainty, such small rituals offer an opportunity to get in touch with each other without major costs or planning. Pudding and fork become a surprisingly effective icebreaker.