‘Milking’ a Cucumber Is TikTok’s Latest Trend—and We’re Not Sure How to Feel

The internet is packed with helpful information from around the world. It’s also the largest collection of trends you never expected to see (like frog bread). The hot source for trends right now is video-sharing platform TikTok.

TikTok has another viral trend, and this time it’s… milking a cucumber!

How Do You ‘Milk’ a Cucumber?

It’s pretty simple, actually. According to TikTok user @basicallyperkfect, you start with a whole cucumber. You cut off one end of the cucumber, take that cut end and rub it against the open face of the whole cucumber.

During this process, a thicker, milky-white substance should form:

@basicallyperkfectmilking a cucumber?##healthheroes ##kitchenhacks ##cucumber ##fyp

♬ original sound – basicallyperkfect

We’re not quite sure how to feel about this, but it’s definitely, definitely interesting.

What Is Happening Here?

What’s that milk stuff foaming on the outside of the cucumber? Well, it has to do with bitterness. Your cucumbers have an organic substance called cucurbitacin—a bitter compound that is typically found in the roots and stem of the plant, but can also find its way into the cucumber itself. You’ll usually find varying amounts of this compound in store-bought cucumbers.

The act of ‘milking’ is apparently using the cucumber itself to draw out that naturally bitter compound. People swear by this process, so it’s worth testing at home. I was planning on making this cucumber salad for myself later, too!

Find More TikTok Food Trends

TikTok is an endless source of viral trends, like how to make vegan bacon or this hack for your breakfast sandwiches. You can always count on the internet to give for the best (and the most intriguing) stuff on the planet.

Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer

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Taste of Home

Crisp Cucumber Salsa Here's a fantastic way to use cucumbers. You'll love the creamy and crunchy texture and super fresh flavors. —Charlene Skjerven, Hoolpe, North Dakota Get Recipe Before you check out more recipes, take a look at how to store cucumbers the right way so that you'll never find a mushy cuke in the refrigerator again.

Taste of Home

Cucumber Party SandwichesCucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky

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Kansas Cucumber SaladCucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I've heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I've never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

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Mama's Warm German Potato SaladMy grandmother, Mama, made this potato salad for every family gathering at her home. The relatives would arrive with their specialties in hand. She never wrote the recipe down, so I had to re-create it from memory. Years later, it's just about right. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

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Watermelon CupsThis lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Fresh Veggie PocketsOne summer I worked at a health food store that sold sandwiches. We were close to a college campus, so I made lots of these fresh-filled pitas for the students. Crunchy with crisp vegetables and nutty sunflower kernels, they're a fast-to-fix lunch when you're on the go. -Linda Reeves, Cloverdale, Indiana

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Taste of Home

Chicken with Mango-Cucumber SalsaI put this dish together after looking for something quick and easy without too much indoor cooking. My husband prefers this moist grilled chicken a tad spicy. —Linda Tringali, Monroe Township, New Jersey

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Sesame-Ginger Cucumber SaladI love the marinated sides and salads that come with meals at Japanese restaurants and wanted to try them at home. After some research, I came up with this cool, crisp salad. —Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York

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Greek Shrimp CanapesI grew up by the ocean and then moved to a landlocked state. I wanted to show people in my area how to easily cook seafood, and this is the recipe I came up with. I think it’s safe to say it has become a neighborhood favorite. —Amy Harris, Springville, Utah

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Cheeseburger BowlThis recipe is a lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can try a version of the dressing with 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut

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Greek Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Greek SaladThe heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

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Taste of Home

Fresh Cucumber SaladCrisp, garden-fresh cukes are always in season when we hold our family reunion, and they really shine in this simple salad. The recipe can easily be expanded to make large quantities, too. —Betsy Carlson, Rockford, Illinois

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Taste of Home

Turkey GyrosGreek seasoning, feta cheese and dill-cucumber sauce give this gyro an authentic taste. It was my family's introduction to how really good pita bread can be. Instead of feta cheese, we'll sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it. —Donna Garvin, Glens Falls, New York

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Kohlrabi, Cucumber and Tomato SaladThis chilled, refreshing salad is wonderful on hot days. It has a nice crunch and a delicious balance of sweet and spicy flavors. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York

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Sour Cream Cucumbers Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sour Cream CucumbersIt’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

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Taste of Home

Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesBesides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

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Favorite Cucumber SaladAdd a fresh-tasting touch to your menu with this favorite salad. The crunchy cucumbers are tossed with onion, green pepper and a sweet-tart dressing seasoned with celery seed.—Mary Lou Boyce,Wilmington, Delaware

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Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Minty Watermelon-Cucumber SaladCapturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario

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Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime SauceLime with ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Creamy Cucumber SaladThis creamy cucumber salad, a Norwegian favorite, was a staple at all of our family holidays. —Patty LaNoue Stearns, Traverse City, Michigan

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Cucumber CanapesI always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

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Crisp & Spicy Cucumber SaladRice vinegar, sesame oil and cayenne create a sweet-hot Asian flavor that will light up your taste buds! —Alivia Dockery, Jensen Beach, Florida

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Garden Tomato SaladFor as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

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Shrimp & Cucumber RoundsI always make these appetizers for our get-togethers. They're easy to prepare and a snappy addition to any party. —Kelly Alaniz, Eureka, California

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Cucumber and Red Onion SaladThis cucumber and onion salad is one of the first recipes I came up with myself. It's a great salad for picnics or potlucks. I always come home with an empty bowl! —Brynn Steckman, Westerville, Ohio

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Inside-Out Veggie DipCherry tomatoes and cucumber slices transform into these savory, bite-sized treats ideal for any gathering. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, Oklahoma

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Balsamic Cucumber SaladCucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

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Chicken with Peach-Cucumber SalsaTo keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

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Strawberry, Cucumber & Honeydew SaladStrawberries and cucumbers together—I just love this combination! We used to eat a lot of cucumbers growing up in upstate New York. We'd get them, along with strawberries and melons, from fruit and veggie stands to make this sweet and tangy salad. —Melissa Mccabe, Long Beach, California

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TMB Studio

Mint-Cucumber Tomato SandwichesI jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

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Chopped Garden SaladThis recipe is always requested by my children for their birthday meal or any other get-together. The flavor combination is so yummy.—Anna Sutherland, Camp, Arkansas

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Dill Garden SaladI love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

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Cucumber-Melon SmoothiesMy cool honeydew and cucumber smoothie has only five ingredients. I sometimes add a small avocado to make it extra creamy.—Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota

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