TikTok is desperately trying to find out just what gives a humble but classic $3 Woolworths dish its strange aftertaste.
Taylah Davies started the movement in Australia on TikTok. She posted a video discussing Woolie’s “Creamy Pasta Salad”, pleading for help identifying its weird taste. “As Australians can we all collectively get together and just ask: ‘WTF is the aftertaste?’” she said. “Why does it taste like TV static? Why is no one talking about this?”
It’s reminiscent of the infamous Irn-Bru soft drink in Scotland, which has been subjected to speculation for decades about its many mysterious ingredients that make it taste so wonderfully addictive.
Taylah – @taylahdavies1 on TikTok – was happy to discover that many other people agreed with her view on the Woolies snack. She was inundated with comments from other users: “OMG yes, I didn’t realise anyone else tastes this,” one woman exclaimed.
“It’s the main reason I don’t eat this pasta salad tbh,” another said, while a clearly hurt man asked, “Why is it so much worse when you eat it with metal cutlery?”
@taylahdavies1 I’ve been holding this is for 10 years. #australia #fyp #upcycling #foryou
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News.com.au took Taylah’s query to Woolworths itself but their statement on the matter was resolutely coy and unsurprisingly boring. “The experience of taste is unique to everyone and one of the great joys of food is the discussion it generates,” a spokesperson told them.
“While it might not be for everyone, we know our Creamy Pasta Salad is a favourite for many customers, with millions of tubs sold each year.” Come on guys, give us even a small hint.
Taylah wasn’t put off by the tepid Woolies reaction though. She shared a defiant second video, saying she was “going to get to the bottom of this pasta salad aftertaste”.
Theories have abounded about just what gives it the aftertaste. Dijon mustard and vinegar was proposed for their tanginess. Someone else suggested it was a disastrous combination of celery and mayo.
And it’s also a worldwide conspiracy, it seems: Taylah said that she had been contacted by people around the world, branding the situation, “A global problem.”
We’ll be keeping a close eye on TikTok to find out if she finally solves this grand mystery.
Check out Taylah Davies’ defiant follow-up video:
