Why Everyone Is Eating Oranges in the Shower

Discover the internet's most delightful obsession with eating oranges in the shower and what makes it so special.

By Medha deb

Created on Jun 12, 2025

Discover the internet's most delightful obsession with eating oranges in the shower and what makes it so special.

Why Everyone Is Eating Oranges in the Shower: The Complete Guide to the Internet’s Most Delightful Obsession

If you’ve been scrolling through social media or browsing Reddit lately, you’ve probably encountered one of the internet’s most unusual yet strangely appealing trends: eating oranges in the shower. What sounds like an absurd joke has actually become a legitimate phenomenon, with thousands of people sharing their experiences and testimonials about this surprisingly satisfying practice. But what exactly is driving this craze, and is there any legitimate reason to jump into your next shower with a citrus fruit in hand? Let’s dive into this peculiar wellness trend that has managed to captivate the internet.

The Origins of the Shower Orange Phenomenon

Like many bizarre internet trends, the shower orange phenomenon didn’t emerge from a sophisticated marketing campaign or wellness influencer recommendation. Instead, it was born organically from the depths of Reddit, where unconventional ideas often flourish and find their passionate audiences.

The story begins in April 2015 when a now-deleted Redditor posted a comment on an /r/AskReddit thread asking users to share unconventional things everyone should try. This particular commenter shared an anecdote about a camp counselor from 2005 who introduced him to the concept of eating an orange in the shower, describing it as “the most liberating, carnal, and best feel-good thing you can ever experience.” The post resonated deeply with the Reddit community, garnering over 5,400 upvotes and inspiring an entire movement.

Inspired by this viral comment, the dedicated subreddit /r/ShowerOrange was created on April 14th, 2015, by user u/CACTUS_VISIONS. What started as a niche community quickly evolved into a thriving subreddit with over 80,000 members dedicated to celebrating and documenting their shower orange experiences. Members regularly share photos of their citrus adventures, discuss the benefits of the practice, and create memes celebrating this unusual wellness trend.

How the Trend Spread Across the Internet

The shower orange phenomenon didn’t remain confined to Reddit. The practice gradually gained mainstream attention as major media outlets began covering the story with curiosity and humor.

In February 2017, Men’s Health published an article examining the trend, followed by Vice just weeks later. These mainstream publications helped legitimize the discussion around shower oranges, treating it with the same seriousness usually reserved for established wellness practices. The coverage generated significant interest among people who might never have discovered the trend through Reddit alone.

The real explosion of visibility came through video content. In March 2017, the popular YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning created a video dedicated to “Testing the Shower Orange Craze,” where the hosts conducted their own experiments. The video garnered over 3.2 million views, exposing millions of viewers to the concept and encouraging many to try it themselves.

The trend received another significant boost when it migrated to TikTok. In May 2020, TikToker @lilyrosenthall posted a video of herself eating an orange in the shower, which accumulated over 300,000 views. Later that year, another TikToker, @smallex4ft11, posted similar content that garnered over 566,000 views, encouraging viewers to experience the phenomenon firsthand. By January 2021, even established media outlets like PureWow were publishing comprehensive articles about the practice, cementing its place in internet culture.

Is There Any Science Behind the Shower Orange Craze?

While the shower orange trend certainly sounds like pure internet nonsense, there actually may be some legitimate scientific explanation for why people find it so appealing. When NPR’s “All Things Considered” investigated the phenomenon, they consulted with Johan Lundström of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, a respected institution studying chemical senses.

According to Lundström’s educated analysis, the primary scientific mechanism involves basic chemistry and physiology. He explained that “the heat makes the orange odors more volatile and this, merged with the increase in mucosa humidity, makes the orange odor smell more in the mouth.” In other words, the warm shower environment amplifies the natural aromatic compounds present in the orange, making them more concentrated and intense.

The confined space of your bathroom also plays a crucial role in this sensory experience. The steam and moisture from the shower trap the delightful citrus-scented molecules in a smaller area, increasing their concentration around your nose and mouth. This creates a more intense aromatic experience than you would typically encounter while eating an orange in an open environment.

From an aromatherapy perspective, citrus scents are well-known for their mood-boosting and energizing properties. The combination of the invigorating scent with the physical sensation of consuming something cool and refreshing while standing under warm water creates a multi-sensory experience that may genuinely enhance your shower routine.

The Psychological Component

It’s important to note that while some scientific basis exists for the shower orange experience, psychology also plays a significant role. The power of expectation and the novelty of the experience can amplify the perceived benefits. When you go into the shower specifically looking for a transformative experience, your brain may be primed to notice and emphasize the positive aspects of the situation.

Testing the Theory: A Personal Experiment

To truly understand the shower orange phenomenon, a comprehensive test was conducted with a fresh naval orange and genuine openness to the experience. The results were both surprising and somewhat contradictory to popular claims.

Contrary to the scientific theories about enhanced aromatics in the shower, the actual fragrance experience was somewhat disappointing. The orange was noticeably more fragrant and aromatic when consumed outside the bathroom in open air. The citrus scent seemed less pronounced in the steamy shower environment than anticipated, suggesting that individual olfactory systems may vary or that expectation doesn’t always match reality.

However, the overall experience yielded some genuinely positive findings. While the scent enhancement didn’t materialize as predicted, the sensory sensation of the experience was genuinely pleasant and unique. The combination of eating something cool and juicy while standing under a hot stream of water created a surprisingly pleasurable sensation. The temperature contrast between the warm water and the cool citrus fruit provided an unexpected element of comfort and stimulation.

Perhaps most notably, for anyone who dislikes sticky fingers and messy eating experiences, the shower orange offers a genuinely practical advantage. You can tear into the orange without worrying about juice dripping on your clothes or furniture, and you can clean up instantly without needing to wash your hands separately. This convenience factor alone makes the practice worthwhile for the cleanliness-conscious.

The Psychological Appeal and Wellness Benefits

Beyond the sensory experience, the shower orange trend has contributed to discussions about unconventional self-care and wellness practices. In a world of increasingly complicated beauty and wellness routines, the shower orange represents something refreshingly simple and accessible.

The practice appeals to several psychological needs. First, there’s the element of novelty and playfulness. In our often stressful daily lives, engaging in something slightly ridiculous and fun can be genuinely therapeutic. The shower orange gives people permission to be silly and unconventional, which has genuine mental health benefits.

Second, the trend fosters community and connection. Sharing shower orange experiences on social media and reddit creates a sense of belonging to a larger movement. This community aspect of the trend may be just as important as any sensory experience the orange itself provides.

Third, the practice encourages mindfulness. By intentionally creating a unique and focused experience, shower orange enthusiasts are engaging in a form of mindful eating and sensory awareness that many wellness experts recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Shower Orange Craze

What type of orange works best for the shower orange experience?

While any orange can technically work, naval oranges, mandarin oranges, and other varieties with easier-to-peel skin tend to be preferred. Avoid particularly juicy varieties unless you don’t mind excessive water runoff, though many enthusiasts specifically seek out juicier varieties for the sensory experience.

Does the temperature of the orange matter?

Many practitioners recommend chilling the orange before entering the shower to maximize the temperature contrast between the cool fruit and the warm water. This temperature differential seems to enhance the overall sensory experience significantly.

Is there a best time to try eating an orange in the shower?

Morning showers seem to be the most popular choice, as the invigorating experience and citrus aromatics may provide an energizing start to the day. However, the experience can be enjoyable at any time based on personal preference.

Are there any hygiene concerns with eating food in the shower?

Since you’re in a clean shower environment with running water, hygiene concerns are minimal. The practice is essentially a form of eating in a controlled, clean space while being able to immediately rinse away any residue.

Can I use orange juice instead of a whole orange?

While technically possible, enthusiasts generally recommend whole oranges. The act of physically peeling and tearing the orange apart is considered an important sensory component of the full experience.

The Final Verdict on Shower Oranges

After careful examination and personal testing, the shower orange phenomenon emerges as neither a life-changing revelation nor complete hogwash, but rather something in between: a genuinely enjoyable, practical, and fun practice worth trying.

The experience likely won’t dramatically transform your life or reveal hidden dimensions to your taste buds. The promised enhanced aromatics don’t always materialize as advertised, and individual results clearly vary. However, the practice offers legitimate value in several areas: the sensory pleasure of temperature contrast, the practical benefit of mess-free eating, and the psychological satisfaction of participating in a quirky, communal internet trend.

For anyone who genuinely enjoys eating oranges, loves finding unique shower experiences, appreciates humor and absurdity, or simply wants to participate in an unconventional wellness trend, the shower orange comes highly recommended. It’s inexpensive, accessible, harmless, and surprisingly satisfying. In a world of complicated self-care routines and expensive wellness products, sometimes the simplest pleasures deserve celebration.

Whether you’re motivated by potential aromatherapy benefits, the novelty of the experience, or just the desire to join an enthusiastic online community, there’s no downside to grabbing an orange and stepping into your next shower. At minimum, you’ll have a clean, delicious experience. At best, you might discover your new favorite shower ritual.