Would you pay $19 for a single strawberry? That’s exactly what influencer Alyssa Antoci did—and the internet can’t get over it.
On February 22, Antoci posted a now-viral TikTok reviewing the luxury-priced fruit from Erewhon, Los Angeles’ upscale grocery chain. “This is a $19 strawberry, so we’re gonna eat it,” she says in the clip, calling it “the best-tasting strawberry in the world.” She carefully unboxes the Elly Amai fruit, marvels at its premium packaging, and takes a bite.
“That’s crazy. Yeah, that is the best strawberry I’ve ever had in my life,” she exclaims, determined to savor every last bit.
The video exploded with over 15 million views and thousands of comments—most in shock at the price. “This is so dystopian,” one user wrote, while another joked, “Is Erewhon just a social experiment to see how much people will pay?” Others defended the cost, citing Japan’s luxury fruit industry.
TikTokers Roast the $19 Strawberry
The viral strawberry quickly became a meme. TikToker Samantha Wynn Greenstone called it “a new low” while podcast host Mary Bernthal declared, “Buying a $20 strawberry is loser behavior.” Influencer Daniel Preda even posted a dramatic parody, joking, “This is luxury. You’ll never afford this, so I’ll taste it for you.”
Antoci, however, is embracing the attention—she even reposted Preda’s spoof. Speaking to TODAY.com, she admitted she hadn’t planned to share the video and only later realized she never actually described what the strawberry tasted like. “I had no idea it would blow up like this,” she said.
A Strawberry Worth Its Weight in Gold?
Whether it’s an overpriced gimmick or the pinnacle of fruit perfection, Erewhon’s $19 strawberry has cemented its place in internet history. Love it or hate it, one thing is clear—it’s not just fruit; it’s a cultural moment.