Water has featured in many bizarre and brilliant internet trends over the years.

From wholesome ice bucket challenges to dangerous crazes like tombstoning – where thrill seekers fling themselves from high ledges into the water below.

And the latest water craze could be just as deadly. People are deep frying water.

First the science - it’s a bit more complicated that just throwing some water in a fryer full of hot oil. Deep fried water is made using a chemical compound called calcium alginate—a gelatine-like substance that binds the water in a liquid membrane.

It first made an appearance on the internet in 2016, when YouTuber, and chef Jonathan Marcus coated alginate bonded water in flour, panko crumbs, and eggs and fried up 12 of these baffling treats for an event called The San Francisco Stupid Sh** Nobody Needs And Terrible Ideas Hackathon.

While the name of the event may be a clue this isn’t a recipe anyone should be taking too seriously, it has since found a new life online. Thanks to the potent mix of Pandemic boredom and TikTok, a whole new generation of people are frying up globules of water.

But before you start buying calcium alginate and heating up a deep fat fryer, you should know that water and oil are never a good mix. In fact it can be explosive.

If water leaks out while it’s frying in hot oil it can burst - sending scalding oil everywhere.

My advice. Do not attempt without proper safety precautions.

Do not consume until cooled down or you may get burned.

In fact, just don’t try it all. Apparently, it tastes terrible.