(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom's Guide / Google)

For years now, I've been using an Android smartphone. The last iPhone I owned was the iPhone 5s (it was gold), and ever since then, I've jumped from OnePlus to Google Pixel, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is, without a doubt, one of the best Android phones I've ever used. I love its cameras, the sleek design and gorgeous finish, and the smooth operating system, amongst other things. I also love the GBoard, and swiping across with my thumb to type one-handed.

But recently, I've stumbled upon an underrated feature which I honestly can't believe I haven't been using all along — and that's Emoji Kitchen. I primarily use WhatsApp for texting, and WhatsApp's built-in emoji selection is fine, but I stumbled upon Android's version of it when I accidentally swapped between English and emojis via the globe-shaped button. And I thought to myself, "Well, this is what I'm using from now on."

But what exactly is it, for those who aren't aware? And how does it work?…