TikTok’s “Orange Peel Theory” is a relationship’s biggest test

We’ve all heard of the love languages, from words of affirmation to physical touch, everyone has their own special way that we prefer to express or receive love. But have you ever wondered if true love can be found in a peeled orange? Most likely not, but according to TikTok’s latest trend known as the “Orange Peel Theory”, there’s no better way to test your partner’s love.

The hashtag #OrangePeelTheory, which has garnered 34.4 million views on TikTok, claims that a person performing small acts of service for their partner without being asked to — such as peeling an orange — shows just how much they care. And this includes things that their partners are perfectly capable of doing on their own, as explained by TikTok user Anna Birmingham in a video about the trend.

“Let’s say that for whatever reason, I hate peeling oranges — but I really like oranges. I ask my partner, ‘Hey babe, do you mind peeling this orange for me?’” Birmingham said in her TikTok video, which has been viewed over 1.1 million times.

“And they can either respond with ‘Of course, love. Not a problem at all.’ Or they can say ‘No, you are perfectly capable of peeling an orange yourself,’” she continued. And whichever way her partner responds is indicative of their attitude towards her and the relationship, she added.

After all, these little acts of service are about expressing love unconditionally since it’s about “wanting to do things for someone to see them happy even if it inconveniences you, or even if there’s nothing in it for you,” she said in her video.

Many other TikTok users have also jumped onto the trend to show the ways that their loved ones have “peeled their oranges” for them. In a video that has been viewed over 20.9 million times, a TikTok user who goes by Jenna revealed how her boyfriend came home one day with pre-separated egg whites for her – it doesn’t get much more romantic than that. This came after she complained to him about how much she hated separating the whites from the yolks while baking due to her long nails.

“It was honestly just a little rant that I didn’t think he paid much attention to (bc it wasn’t a big deal just a lil moment of frustration),” she wrote in a caption over the video. “But he saw me! Never thought egg whites would make me cry.”

The top comment, which has been favorited over 430,600 times, read: “He peeled your orange.” Who said romance was dead?

While the origin of the trend is unclear, it’s believed to have started with a viral TikTok slideshow showing a conversation between a former couple. “I miss when you would peel my oranges for me in the morning,” one message read, as the sender explained that they “still get juice all over and stab my nails too deep” when they try to do it themselves.

As the former couple reminisces about their time together, the recipient tells the sender “don’t text again” because it’ll only cause more hurt. The exchange then concludes with a message that said “I peeled my orange today.” We’re not crying, you are.

So, next time you’re questioning your loved one’s adoration for you, it might be time to put the orange peel theory to the test.