People from different parts of the USA report that their watermelons are exploding: what is happening

Watermelons taste good, but they shouldn't explode. Oddly enough, but this is what worries some lovers of juicy berries. The network is full of messages about foaming and exploding watermelons. The edition told in more detail NBC News York.

Photo: IStock

Emily Durbin, a Florida resident, posted about one such sinister fruit (the watermelon is officially recognized as a fruit in the US) on Facebook.

She shared a photo of a large watermelon on the kitchen table with white foam oozing out.

“We bought this watermelon yesterday at Walmart. My husband left for work around 06:00 and when I walked into the kitchen around 09:00 I came across this. The white mass was a foamy, bubbly substance. The yellow juice was thick and the smell was absolutely disgusting. It reminded me of vomiting,” she wrote in the post.

When Durbin took the fruit to throw in the bin, she felt "a rumbling inside".

Many Facebook users commented on her post saying that they, too, have experienced the watermelon explosion in recent weeks.

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“My watermelon was on the counter. It was probably already spoiled when I bought it. The next day I smelled a terrible smell, it was disgusting,” wrote one user.

Another commented: “It happened to me too. The striped fruit hasn't leaked yet, but when I cut it open, it literally exploded. It was the loudest explosion I've ever heard and it scared the hell out of me."

Earlier this month, Maine's Bangor Daily News published an article about exploding watermelons detailing another incident involving the fruit, which was purchased by Maine resident Julie Raines.

Food safety experts spoke about the causes of the strange phenomenon and whether we should worry.

What makes watermelons foam and explode

Keith Schneider, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida, said it wasn't the first time he had heard of watermelons foaming or exploding.

“Probably because of the heat. Fruits, if slightly damaged, may begin to ferment. If there is active fermentation that releases gas, there can be enough internal pressure to cause the watermelon to crack or burst,” he explained.

Schneider noted that "excessive summer heat" could be detrimental to the quality of some foods, and called it "an unexpected consequence of climate change."

As part of the fermentation process, if certain microorganisms enter the watermelon, they convert the sugar into alcohol.

“It's the same process that happens in brewing and winemaking. An offshoot of this process is CO2 gas. This is a chemical compound that causes bubbles in beer,” Schneider said.

Eventually, an explosion could occur, especially, he said, "if the wound on the watermelon closes and the pressure builds up."

Even if these watermelons are not fermented, according to Dr. Steve Reiners, professor of horticulture at Cornell's School of Integrative Plant Sciences, "the fruit could have contracted a bacterial or fungal disease."

“Usually the inside of the fruit is protected by the skin, but there are several diseases that can enter the inside soon after the flower sets fruit,” the professor explained. “Sometimes the part of the fruit where the flower was attached does not close completely, and a small opening allows the disease to enter.”

Reiners says that in this scenario, the fruit usually doesn't explode unless the inlet is "completely plugged".

“Usually you see the watermelon oozing,” he said.

Is it possible to eat foamy watermelons

Foaming watermelons are interesting to look at and a great excuse to post it on social media, but don't eat it.

“The watermelon goes bad, so it’s best to take it back to the store and buy a replacement, or just throw it away,” Schneider said.

In any case, Reiners recommends trusting your sense of smell - it will not let you down in these matters.

“Essentially, our noses are pretty good at telling us what is safe to eat. And if the fruit smells bad, then it rots. Trust your nose,” he advised.

Fortunately, you usually don't have to worry about plant diseases causing disease in humans, but Reiners warns that "soft rot bacteria" can make you uncomfortable, so it's best not to eat them.

“Furthermore, if the fruit has a small opening, it is possible that human pathogens can enter it, especially if heavy rains have displaced water from areas where animals are present. Producers always make sure that fruits and vegetables are as safe as possible, but sometimes and very rarely potential human pathogens, such as E. coli or salmonella, can penetrate, ”he emphasized.

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How should watermelons be stored?

If you want to avoid the foaming fruit incident, proper food storage practices will help you do just that. Here are some tips:

• keep watermelon out of direct sunlight to prolong shelf life;
• leave the whole watermelon in the refrigerator until consumed;
• store the remaining portion after cutting in the refrigerator.

“Watermelon is basically sugar water, and if kept at room temperature, the fruit will start using oxygen and internal oxygen for breathing. Thus, warm fruit loses sugar faster and will be less sweet. It can be stored in the refrigerator from a week to 10 days,” Reiners stated.

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