A TikTok video from Dust Kitchenware, known by their handle @dust6923, has quickly gained notoriety not for its innovation but for the backlash it has stirred among crawfish lovers in Louisiana.

The video demonstrates a tool designed to simplify the process of shucking crawfish tails. By inserting a tail into the device and pulling, the shell is supposed to strip right away, leaving the meat ready for consumption. However, the response from the Louisiana community, where crawfish is less a food item and more a cultural emblem, is probably not what the company hoped for.

In the heart of crawfish season, any device that tampers with traditional eating methods will likely get the side eye, but the comments on TikTok reveal a more profound cultural disgust for such a gadget. “Not Louisiana approved,” one user sharply criticizes, capturing the sentiment of many locals. The idea of bringing such a tool to a crawfish boil was met with disbelief and humor. One person echoed a question repeatedly asked in the comments: “Could you imagine showing up to a crawfish boil with that???” while another person posted, “Laughs in Cajun.”

Cajun critics also pointed out practical flaws in the video demonstration itself, noting that all the crawfish shown had straight tails—a telltale sign they were already dead before boiling, which is considered a massive no-no by culinary standards in the region. “All those crawfish have straight tails,” a user pointed out, questioning how effective the shucker could be on freshly cooked, properly curved-tail crawfish.

The overall consensus is that the tool completely wipes out crawfish meals' joy and communal spirit. Comments like “This takes the fun out of the whole process, and because of that, I’m out” and “Real Louisianans don’t do that” prove that there is clearly a unanimous cultural verdict. For Louisiana folks, the act of peeling crawfish is more than just a means to an end—it’s one of the most essential parts of the experience itself.

The quickness that the gadget supposedly offers was also called into question: “I would have 20 done by the time you peeled 6 of these,” commented one lifelong crawfish eater.

There were jokes, criticism, and outright rejection, with comments like “You’d be asked to leave a Louisiana crawfish boil” and “If you buy this, you should not be eating crawfish,” showing just how protective Louisianans are of their culture and traditions.

While very few commenters saw any potential in the tool, it's safe to say that in Louisiana, some traditions are best left unchanged. The consensus? “We're good over here,” sums up our stance. We plan to continue our hands-on approach to enjoying one of the most beloved seasonal delights known to man.

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Gallery Credit: Joni Sweet