Eggplants have taken on a whole new meaning with the launch of a weird, wacky and slightly creepy start-up that sends aubergines inscribed with a personalized and anonymous message through the post.

For US$9.99 would-be customers can get their own special message scribbled on an eggplant and have it distributed in the U.S. and 'anywhere in the world'.

But why?

Over the last few months the eggplant has become synonymous with a phallic symbol because of an emoji craze that uses the vegetable as an icon for male genitalia.

The eggplant’'s use on social networks and the likes of smartphone messaging services on WhatsApp, has proven to be such a big hit online, the ideogram is a viral phenomenon.

Enter Eggplant Mail, an innovative start-up jumping on the eggplant bandwagon.

“"Want to send someone a real life penis emoji?”," says the company’'s website.

"“We will mail an anonymous eggplant, with your personal message, anywhere in the world.

“"100% phallic, 100% anonymous. 100% disturbing…”."

The site shows off some sample eggplants which have strange messages written on them including ‘'Happy birthday Conor, you naughty little boy’,' ‘'Thinking of you...… always thinking of you'’ and ‘'I watch you when you’'re sleeping’.'

"Our customers are using the phallic fruit to make up, break up and celebrate life.

"we started the business because the eggplant emoji has become overused. Collectively we use it too often when messaging, diluting its original meaning.

"By bringing the notorious eggplant emoji into the real world, we are bringing it back to life."

www.freshfruitportal.com