The Salty Ice Cream meme, often referencing the iconic 'Sea Salt Ice Cream' from the Kingdom Hearts series or viral reaction videos of people trying salted treats, represents the duality of expectation versus reality. It captures that specific moment of a pleasant experience being interrupted by a sharp, bitter, or 'salty' surprise. In internet slang, being 'salty' refers to being upset or bitter, and this meme serves as the perfect visual metaphor for that emotion. Users frequently utilize the template to react to disappointing news, gaming losses, or social situations where a sweet moment turns sour.