Despite being one of the most popular fruits, watermelon can also be viewed as one of the least durable.
Watermelons don’t ripen on the plant, which means they have no natural way to protect themselves from pests or bacteria.
If you leave them out for too long, they will begin to rot.
While some types of watermelon will stay good for weeks or even months, others will only last a few days.
The key to keeping your watermelon fresh and tasty is to eat it as soon as possible after purchasing it.
This prevents it from spoiling before you get around to eating it.
How long does watermelon last?
The time frame for how long a watermelon lasts depends on its type, size, and storage conditions.
While there is no set shelf life for watermelon, the average watermelon should last about five days at room temperature.
Freshly cut melon will keep for up to three days, while fully ripened melon will last about two days.
However, both these times will vary depending on the humidity level in your area.
Does watermelon go bad?
Yes, watermelon can go bad, though not all types of watermelon will spoil.
You might think that because watermelon is a juicy fruit, it would be more likely to go bad than other fruits, but this isn’t true.
There are several factors that determine whether or not watermelon will go bad.
First, watermelon is extremely sensitive to high temperatures.
It won’t spoil if it’s stored in the refrigerator, but it will quickly become soft and mushy if exposed to heat.
Most people refrigerate their watermelon right away, then eat it within a day or two.
Watermelons that are still firm are usually fine, but any that are soft should be thrown out.
Another factor that determines whether watermelon will go bad is the amount of light it gets.
Watermelons need exposure to ultraviolet rays to ripen properly, so they should be kept in direct sunlight.
This means that you shouldn’t place them inside a dark closet or under a tree cover.
The third factor that affects watermelon spoilage is temperature.
As we mentioned above, watermelons tend to spoil easily when exposed to heat.
They will also turn green and develop mold if left outside for too long.
So if you plan to store your watermelon in a shady spot, make sure to bring it back indoors once it starts to grow mold.
How can you tell if watermelon is bad?
The first sign that watermelon is spoiled is the appearance of mold.
Greenish-yellow areas (called “bloom”) will appear on the surface of the fruit.
These are caused by microorganisms called molds, which produce enzymes that break down the cell walls of the fruit, allowing water to leak into the flesh.
When the water leaks out, the fruit begins to rot.
In addition, the smell of the fruit will change.
It’ll start to smell musty and sour, and eventually the entire fruit will smell rotten.
Other signs include discoloration and bruising, which indicates that the fruit was damaged during transportation.
For example, if the bottom of the melon got dented, the water will seep through the skin and cause the fruit to spoil faster.
Also, the stem will often look bruised, which indicates that the fruit was transported with the stem sticking out of the container.
What are the signs of watermelon going bad?
Once you see signs of spoilage, you should throw out the watermelon immediately.
Even if you bought it just a few hours ago, it’s already past the point where it can be eaten safely.
Watermelon that smells bad should never be consumed, regardless of how long it’s been sitting on the grocery store shelf.
In addition to the obvious signs of mold, you can also check the texture of the fruit.
If it feels spongy, it’s probably rotten.
Similarly, if the skin is loose and sticky, the fruit is likely ruined.
Any watermelon that looks or feels slimy should be thrown out.
How long does watermelon last in the fridge?
You can store watermelon indefinitely in the fridge.
Just remember that it needs to be chilled below 40 degrees F to prevent it from spoiling.
Airtight containers and heavy objects like glass bottles will help ensure that the watermelon stays cold enough.
Is it safe to eat watermelon that has gone bad?
Even if the watermelon has developed mold, it’s still perfectly edible.
The mold itself contains beneficial enzymes that can help digest food.
But if the watermelon has started to rot, then it should be discarded.
The same goes for any fruit that smells bad.
Because the mold produces enzymes, it’s best to wash the fruit thoroughly before eating it.
Some experts recommend using a potato peeler to remove the outer layer of the rind, which will reduce the risk of getting sick from consuming moldy fruit.
And since the mold is on the surface of the fruit, you don’t have to worry about ingesting it.
What does watermelon taste like when it goes bad?
When you buy a watermelon, you expect to enjoy the sweet juiciness of the fruit.
But if the fruit is spoiled, you won’t get much flavor from it.
The flavor will be bland and sour, similar to that of lemon juice.
You may even notice an unpleasant odor.
How can you tell if watermelon is too ripe?
To avoid getting sick from eating rotten watermelon, it’s important to know how to tell when your fruit is ready.
Since watermelons are so perishable, you want to be able to recognize the signs of spoilage early so you can stop eating it before it becomes unsafe.
There are several ways you can tell if your melon is ready.
One method is to use your nose.
The aroma of a ripe watermelon is unmistakable.
Another option is to poke the fruit with your finger.
If it gives slightly when pressed, then the watermelon is ripe.
A final method involves looking at the skin.
Ripe melons will have a shiny, smooth surface, whereas unripe ones will be dull and wrinkled.
Of course, you can always rely on your senses as well.
If you smell a foul odor coming from the melon, or if it appears slimy, then it’s probably spoiled.
Also you can make watermelon dishes like Watermelon smoothie, Watermelon Ice Cream,…
What is the best way to store watermelon?
As with many fruits and vegetables, it’s important to store watermelon correctly to maximize its lifespan.
Here are some tips to follow:
Avoid storing watermelon in a humid environment.
If you live in a hot climate, choose airtight containers instead of plastic bags.
Plastic bags trap moisture, making the fruit soggy and difficult to transport.
Keep the watermelon in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it.
Store it upright, rather than laying flat, to allow the liquid to drain out.
Don’t stack watermelons on top of each other.
Instead, store them in separate containers.
This allows the air to circulate between them, preventing the fruit from growing mold.
Be careful when cutting open the fruit.
If you cut it open with sharp tools, you run the risk of cutting yourself.
Use a serrated knife instead.
Finally, clean off any dirt or residue before storing the fruit.
This will help prevent the fruit from absorbing odors from the surrounding environment.
How do you make watermelon ice cream?
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 spoon
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by cubing your watermelon into bite-sized pieces. You should have about 3 cups of cubed watermelon when you're done.
- Add the cubed watermelon, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Let the ice cream thaw for about 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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