Amid an intense heat wave in China, parents have begun placing giant green winter melons in their babies’ cribs. Photos of babies hugging the nearly baby-sized gourds quickly went viral on social media.
Winter melon, also known as wax gourd, is made up of nearly 95% water, allowing it to stay cool for a long time and gradually absorb heat. Other large, water-rich fruits, such as watermelons, are used similarly during hot weather.
Winter melon has become especially popular in China, where it is widely believed to help people tolerate extreme heat. Its flesh and rind are also commonly used in a variety of traditional dishes.
Winter melons can grow up to 60 centimeters long and weigh more than nine kilograms. They are harvested in the fall, and their thick rind allows them to be stored for up to a year.
However, experts emphasize that winter melons are not a substitute for proven heat-safety measures. For infants, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and preventing overheating are far more important. At best, using a winter melon is a creative and inexpensive way to help keep babies cool when other cooling options are unavailable.
