A small corner of the internet made up of just over 8,000 people is applauding the revolutionary idea of eating oranges in the shower.
The ShowerOrange subreddit began a year ago after someone posted about eating oranges in the shower in a thread asking for “unconventional things everyone will enjoy”.
The original poster, who has since deleted their account, heard about the refreshing and therapeutic nature of a shower orange via a youth counsellor in Italy.
“Ok so this is going to sound real weird… but here it goes,” the post said.
“Just think about it: Tearing apart a cold fresh orange with your bare hands, just letting the juices run over your body. Not worrying if your going to get sticky, or anything. Just ripping it in half, and tearing into it with your teeth like a savage cannibal who hasn’t eaten in a week!
“This is the most carnal, ferocious, liberating thing a man can do”
While you’d be forgiven for thinking there might be something sexual about ShowerOrange, the group’s first rule is a strict “no nudity”.
The safe-for-work subreddit allows “anything but genitalia”. Faces are encouraged, however you are not, under any circumstances, allowed to post photos of yourself eating grapefruits.
Oranges, clementines, tangerines and blood oranges are all deemed “acceptable”.
However, a “ShowerOrange Gone Wild” group was started a few weeks ago, which presumably was for sharing more graphic shower orange pictures. It was shut down after a community vote 10 days ago, which ruled to remove the page after securing 18 of 32 votes.
But there’s still semi-erotic fiction written about eating a shower orange, which you can find here.
Katie Coy tried out a shower orange after seeing the subreddit, and said while it’s not part of her regular routine, it definitely relieved stress.
“I think now I just save it as something to do when I’m stressed or down,” she told BuzzFeed News. “It’s so ridiculous but also genius and that makes it fun to do.
“It definitely takes my mind off of things. I think oranges naturally have a potent smell and being in the sealed environment of a shower makes that a lot stronger, in a good way. Eating a cold orange in a warm shower is really nice. Also, being in a shower means you don’t have to worry about the mess/juice whatever, so it’s just purely tasting and smelling this orange. It’s like a weird spa treatment.”
Reddit user Tygersurlss told BuzzFeed News they would firmly recommend shower oranges.
“Since the first day I had one I can’t stop myself. I’ve had one shower orange a day… everyday,” they said.
“The reason I started it was because of the curiosity. It seemed ‘interesting’ and ‘new’, but now, I do it because I love it. I never had time for breakfast in the morning, but now I don’t need to worry. The main reason is that it’s about the contrast between the hot water and a cold orange. To let yourself eat an orange without fear of becoming covered on the juices. It’s to let yourself be free.”
So, will you be trying out the shower orange?
