Growing up, I always thought I was just a quirky kid. I made mud pies like EVERY other child – but the difference was, I never really grew out of it. For most kids, it’s just messy play. For me, it was something deeper. Something about the texture, the smell, the earthy feel of wet soil between my fingers – and sometimes, pressed to my lips – just made sense. It felt natural, comforting even.
When my dad started redecorating the house, I found myself strangely fixated on the drying plaster. I’d pick at the bits that flaked off, fascinated by their chalky crumble. I can still remember how I’d sneak some into my pocket, pretending it was just part of playing house. And every single family trip to the beach? That was paradise. The feel of gritty, grainy sand slipping through my fingers, crunching slightly underfoot, sticking to wet skin — I LOVED it. I mean really loved it. It was more than just a sensory thrill. It was like my body craved that texture, that connection.
My little sister and I were cheeky — we’d sneak bits of powdered cement from Dad’s shed when no one was looking. Just a pinch here and there. Even then, I didn’t have a name for what I was experiencing. I just thought I was odd, but I didn’t mind. It was my quiet secret.
Fast forward to my 30s, and everything changed.
I was scrolling Reddit one evening — something totally unrelated — and somehow ended up in a thread about people who eat chalk, clay, soil. My jaw dropped. There were others. People who had the same urges, the same cravings. I devoured every comment, every recommendation. Suddenly I wasn’t weird. I was part of something. Something called Pica. And even more specifically, Geophagy — the craving and consumption of earth-based substances.
That rabbit hole led me to discover brands like Yummy Clays, Tierra Cravings, and so many niche shops across the US, India, and Mexico. I placed my first order from one of them, and when that package arrived? I can only describe it as bliss. The first crunch. The first dry, earthy crumble melting on my tongue. I cried. Actual tears. It felt like coming home.
But as much as I loved those products, shipping to the UK was a hassle. Delays. Customs. Pricey delivery fees. And it really hit me: Why isn’t there anything like this here in the UK? That question simmered in the back of my mind until I finally decided to do something about it.
And that’s what brought me here — to starting Earthy Crunch UK. A small, homegrown hub for people like me, who know the joy of crunching into a pure piece of slate, chalk, or clay. Who find comfort in the earthy, gritty textures the rest of the world doesn’t quite understand.
My journey started with a mud pie. Yours might start with a little curiosity. Either way, you’re welcome here.
Want to read more about my geophagy adventures or share your own story? Drop a comment or follow along — there’s plenty more to come. 🌍🧡
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