Frenzy over ‘incredibly delicious’ Olympic Village chocolate muffins
An “incredibly moist” food has captured the heart – and stomach – of one Olympian, sending fellow athletes and social media users into meltdown.
The beds might be small and there could be human excrement in the Seine, but at the Paris Olympics, there is at least one thing competitors and social media users are loving.
It’s not a croissant or a baguette, or even escargot (quel dommage!) that has captured the hearts – and stomachs – of those in the Olympic Village, but a humble chocolate muffin.
And the ensuing love affair between the dessert and Norwegian long-distance swimmer turned muffin man, Henrik Christiansen, has captivated the attention of the world.
Christiansen’s fixation with the chocolate chunk-studded, lava-centred cake began early in his Olympic Village residence, when the 27-year-old filmed a TikTok ranking the foods on offer at its cafeteria.
His fixation was swift, ranking the “insane” muffins an 11/10 and calling them “the single greatest thing about the Olympics so far”.
From there, complete muffin-mania ensued: at the time of writing, Christiansen has now posted 10 separate clips dedicated to the “incredibly moist” treat.
“They’re very rich, and I like that. Some people might find it too powerful, but they’re right up my alley,” he told The New York Times, adding that he would never get sick of them.
“There is a lot of misconception regarding athletes and what they eat – of course, some athletes, they do sports where their weight is carefully watched and it’s a lot more important. On my most heavy training days, I can get up to almost 7000 calories a day. It’s tough to have that many calories if you’re only having salad.
“I’m lucky enough to be able to indulge myself a lot more than maybe other people can because I need the calories that much more.”
The muffins, one of more than 2000 pastry items served daily at the Olympic Village, are baked by French catering company Coup de Pates.
“We knew our Maxi Muffin with Intense Chocolate was something special … but we didn't expect it to spark such a chocolate storm!” the business wrote on social media.
“Thank you for all the love.”
Christiansen is not alone in his fervour: speaking to People, members of America’s men’s gymnastics team confirmed the muffins really were as tasty as he’s made them out to be.
“I had my first one this morning … oh my gosh, they’re really good. They’re so gooey,” Brody Malone said.
“It is delicious,” his teammate, Stephen Nedoroscik, added.
On social media, those of us who are not professional athletes have also been left wanting.
“There’s a Norwegian swimmer who keeps making TikToks about how good the chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village cafeteria are and I’ve never wanted something so bad,” one person wrote on X.
“Do I need to be an Olympian to TASTE THE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS AT THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE BCS (sic) F***ING HELL … I SAW THE CROSSECTION (sic) AND I UNDERSTAND,” another … shouted in her post.
While a third said: “I’m going to be honest my favourite story to come out of the Olympics isn’t the medals or who’s competing in what events, it’s everyone being absolute FIENDS for the chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village dining hall.”
Aussies confused by US store’s security move
A woman’s video of a huge retailer in an American state has raised eyebrows around the world — including in the United States.
‘It’s a joke’: Cafe photo infuriates locals
A coastal cafe has come under fire following a decision that customers say has caused distressing scenes in the community.
$3.50 Aussie dessert going viral
A swanky restaurant in Sydney’s east has come up with an innovative solution to that dreaded “no room for dessert” feeling.