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TIL watermelons were not yet “domesticated” by the mid 17th century in Europe, although they were starting to appear in gardens. They had not yet been bred for richness of flavor or concentration of flesh as can be seen in period art.

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dKD8 TIL that the Red Hot Chili Peppers and their producer once set aside $2,000 out of the $5,000 EMI gave them for a demo tape so they could have money to spend on heroin and cocaine
BgVgb TIL The Persians had ancient refrigerators called "yakhchals" to preserve the ice and keep it cold underground until the summer, the yakhchal also had a ventilation system that allowed the cold air to enter and the warm air to escape, keeping the temperature inside low.
x6PP5 TIL about Skunk cabbage. Thermogenic early spring flowers and smell like rotting meat. Their little hoods trap heat and can be up to 60 degrees (F) warmer than the environs. Bees often use them to get warm during cold mornings.
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