The Internet Is Repulsed By This Person Who Actually Ate The Contents Of A Decorative "Tuscan Kitchen" Vegetable Bottle

Have you ever seen one of these? Sure you have.

Three tall, narrow glass bottles filled with layered dried vegetables and spices against a textured backdrop
Imagedepotpro / Getty Images

Found haunting every "Tuscan" home kitchen counter, Olive Garden decor shelf, and HomeGoods "food" aisle, these bottles of intricately chopped and arranged vegetables usually sit in vinegar. They're also usually designed for decoration.

That didn't stop one TikToker, though, from cracking one open, shaking the contents into a sauté pan, and having her husband try the vegetables atop bread.

Person adding a mix of corn, beans, and other vegetables to a sizzling pan on a stovetop
minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

Earlier this month, minassco8 posted the video, which has now been viewed over 4 million times on TikTok. "We were dying to try this," the caption read.

It's worth noting that the page posts "rage bait" food content designed to anger and confound people — and therefore drive engagement on the page. They've also cooked salmon in a coffee maker and a T-bone steak in a toaster (sigh).

The creator shakes the vegetables into a pan, narrating as each new layer of garlic, diced peppers, and corn falls.

Vegetables and beans are being added to a skillet on a stovetop, creating a colorful medley of ingredients in a kitchen scene
Vegetables and beans are being added to a skillet on a stovetop, creating a colorful medley of ingredients in a kitchen scene
A pan filled with cooking vegetables and nuts being stirred with a spoon. Overlay text indicates social media engagement details
A pan filled with cooking vegetables and nuts being stirred with a spoon. Overlay text indicates social media engagement details

minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

Commenters had some thoughts from the start:

Several people commenting that they didn't this was edible
Simpleimages / Getty Images / Via tiktok.com

The creator says the vinegar smell is rather strong as she's sautéing everything up. Then she and the person behind the camera discuss how the vegetables are meant to be eaten: with pasta? In stew? On toast? "I'm not sure how long these vegetables were in this jar," she says.

Person in a apron stirring a pan of mixed vegetables on a stove
minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

She also, for some reason, takes a meat tenderizer to the pan, trying to figure out what one of the vegetables in the bottle is.

  minassco8 / Via tiktok.com
minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

Then they slice some bread and top it with the vegetables, which keep rolling off.

Person spreading a vegetable medley onto a slice of bread with a spoon in a kitchen setting
Person spreading a vegetable medley onto a slice of bread with a spoon in a kitchen setting
Hand holding a piece of bread with sautéed vegetables and mushrooms from a skillet in the background
Hand holding a piece of bread with sautéed vegetables and mushrooms from a skillet in the background

minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

Comment with text: "The veggies were rolling off the bread like they were trying to warn you..."
TikTok / Via tiktok.com

Then her husband digs in. And the verdict? "That's delicious!" he exclaims. "Are you serious?" she replies. "Yeah," he says, shrugging. You can watch the whole video here.

Man enjoying a bite of food from his hands, wearing a casual cap and a zipped jacket. Close-up focus on the moment of eating
minassco8 / Via tiktok.com

So, the vegetables might taste fine, but are they safe to eat? The answer is yes...and no. Jessica Gavin, a culinary scientist based in Southern California, provided BuzzFeed with some answers.

Jessica Gavin, in a kitchen, smiles at the camera, wearing a sleeveless top. They stand behind a tray of colorful, stuffed bell peppers on a cutting board
Jessica Gavin

First things first: Figure out what's even in these bottles. Jessica says it varies, as they can include anything from sliced citrus to pearl onions to rosemary and thyme. After the contents are arranged, a liquid is added. "Distilled vinegar is commonly used because it's clear and showcases the contents, while its high acidity preserves the ingredients by preventing bacterial growth. The combinations vary widely based on color schemes or culinary themes," she said.

A row of glass bottles filled with oils infused with herbs, fruits, and spices, sitting on a wooden shelf by a window
Alaincouillaud / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Whether they're safe to consume comes down to a few different factors. First, Jessica recommends checking the label to ensure it was processed by a "reputable food facility and meant for consumption, not just display" and to check that it's not expired.

"Safe flavored vinegars are made with food-grade ingredients, washed and heat-treated produce, high-acidity vinegar (5% or more), and sterilized bottles and lids. These precautions ensure a low-pH environment that inhibits harmful bacteria," Jessica told BuzzFeed. "Improperly prepared vinegar, or one with insufficient acidity, can lead to mold, spoilage, and even contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a toxin-producing bacteria that causes severe illness or death. Discard vinegar immediately if you notice spoilage, such as bubbling, cloudiness, sliminess, or mold."

Microscopic view of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness
Dr_microbe / Getty Images

All in all, these decorative bottles can be safe to eat, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should, and Jessica advises against it. "While cooking vinegar and its contents may kill some spoilage bacteria, I don’t recommend consuming decorative vinegar due to the potential risk of illness. Improper conditions, such as exposure to bright light or storage above 65°F, can create an environment where harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum could thrive," she said. "While the toxin can be destroyed by boiling for at least 10 minutes, the risks make it safest to treat decorative vinegar as non-consumable."

The risks don't seem worth it, especially considering one of these could not possibly taste that good...right? I'll stick to my jarred olives.

Colorful mixture of vegetables layered in decorative glass bottles, showcasing a vibrant kitchen display
Enfys / Getty Images/iStockphoto

What do you think of eating one of these? What's something else in your kitchen you wouldn't dare consume? Let me know in the comments.