water melons

[con-amca]

I've had a good week so far, and it's only Wednesday!

First, my green flash question was brilliantly answered.

Next, even though not really a serious question, my pomegranate pips puzzle was resolved - not something I ever expected to see.

So, riding my luck, here's another.

We all know that the colour of a water melon's flesh is pink. But rumour has it that it isn't. It turns pink at the instant the oxygen in the air hits it when the melon's
cut open. Before that, it's some other colour. Or so I'm told. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[bananasquash]

well i've never heard this but its sounds very odd. maybe it is true and maybe its just non-coloured and when it reacts with the oxygen the pink rushes to it like blood or something because at the end of a wedge that you cut its less pink and more clear. :S but that would be good to know!

[lugus]

No. Nothing oxidises that quickly without exploding. And I havn't, so far heard of spontaniously exploding water melons.

[con-amca]

I think I was having my leg pulled over this one. As you say, lugus, we don't hear of exploding water melons.

The glove box idea is a good one, though wouldn't it have to be made of glass in order to see the melon being cut open? My school chemistry wasn't very good when I went to school - it's even worse now.

Anyway, thanks for the input to all of you.