India, Feb. 25 -- When 'Dubai chocolate' went viral in 2023 following a TikTok post, few people gave a second thought to the humble pistachio inside it. The viral post led to a surge in demand for the nut, reportedly forcing farmers to increase production at unsustainable rates at the cost of other crops, more water usage to keep up with the yield, a spike in prices and deterioration in its quality.

From pistachio-loaded 'Dubai chocolate' to 'matcha latte' and berry milkshakes to avocado toasts, social media viral food trends today are shaping consumption patterns at a pace the planet cannot keep up with.

Coffee, one of the most widely consumed products, is experiencing high demand and is steadily becoming unsustainable to produce as ri...