© 2024 Maine Public

Bangor Studio/Membership Department
63 Texas Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401

Lewiston Studio
1450 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Portland Studio
323 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101

Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Scientists blame fermentation for watermelons exploding on kitchen counters

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Leila Fadel. If you've got a watermelon at home, watch out. Reports of watermelons exploding on kitchen counters are circulating on social media. Some scientists say fermentation is to blame. Bouts of extreme summer heat are causing melons to undergo the same process that happens during wine and beer making. When sugars convert into alcohol, CO2 gas builds up inside the fruit, and when the pressure gets to be too much - pop - fruit salad.

It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.