China experts explain why hugging winter melons for cooling in summer can cause explosions

While many people have embraced the trend of hugging a giant winter melon to sleep as a means of cooling down during summer, some have shared their “painful” experiences, recounting instances where the fruit exploded, releasing a foul-smelling and putrid liquid that soiled their beds and floors.They detailed this “disastrous scene” on social media, noting that the winter melons exploded after several nights of being held, as reported by the Sichuan Daily.“It exploded. The stench was unbearable. It was like a burst sewer,” one internet user remembered.A woman from central Hubei province recounted her experience, advising others against this method of cooling down. “The rotten melon pulp and fluid ruined my bedsheet. It was disgusting. I had to dispose of both the bedsheet and the winter melon,” she saidOne individual recalled the unbearable odour of a melon that burst after being held overnight, comparing it to a broken sewer. Photo: Baidu“I initially sought relief from the summer heat, but it only caused me great discomfort,” she added.Hugging winter melons to sleep in summer is a traditional practice that dates back to ancient China.In the late Ming dynasty (1368–1644), an encyclopaedia called Wu Li Xiao Shi, or Some Tips in Physics in English, mentioned the remedy of using winter melon to cool off on warm nights.The renowned wellness book Xian Qing Ou Ji, known as Daily Jottings for Health in English, from the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), describes the custom of residents in southern China clutching winter melons while sleeping in the summer.The rationale behind this practice is that the fruit contains 95 per cent water, which helps absorb heat through skin contact. Essentially, it is akin to holding a cold water bag, experts explain.With 95 per cent water content, winter melons effectively absorb heat, making them ideal for cooling. Photo: guokr.comSince last year, many have adopted this trend as a natural alternative to air conditioning, which can lead to colds, finding the winter melon method more economical.Further ReadingHowever, this remedy carries a risk: the melon can potentially explode after being held for several days.According to Ao Qingyan, a senior agricultural specialist from the Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, microbes enter the winter melons when the white wax on their skin is compromised through frequent skin contact.These microbes ferment inside the melon as they decompose sugars and organic matter, producing carbon dioxide in the process.As gas accumulates, an explosion can occur, Ao explained.“When people hug the melon all night, especially when covered with a quilt, it creates a warm, incubating environment for fermentation,” Ao informed the media.Regularly inspect your winter melon: if it feels soft, swollen, or gives off a sour smell, discard it immediately. Photo: BaiduShe recommended changing the melon once a week.“It’s wise to touch and inspect it regularly. If you notice any part of it is soft, swollen, or emits a sour odour, you should discard it immediately,” Ao advised.“Hugging winter melons is merely a low-cost, temporary method for alleviating summer heat. Due to the risk of explosion and mould growth, it is not an ideal solution. Air conditioners, cold mats, and cold pillows are more reliable alternatives with lower risks,” she concluded.