We need to know if our watermelon has gone bad!
If you are curious, can watermelon go bad?
The answer is yes.
In this article, you will learn how to spot spoiled watermelon.
Unluckily, watermelons do not last forever, and in this article, allow me to tell you the answer to does watermelon go bad plus all the essential information you ought to know about its storage life.
Watermelon is my favorite fruit, so I try and do all that I can to prolong the shelf life.
We will walk through each step of all that you need to know.
The unfortunate answer to this is yes.
Watermelon, much like other and most, if not all, fruits go bad.
There is a reason why farmers automatically harvest the watermelon only when it is nearing the peak of its ripe age.
They do this because watermelon is, in fact, one of the fruits that do not just go bad but quickly as well.
This reality also means that watermelon, as much as possible, has to be consumed immediately.
It goes without saying that unlike some fruits, watermelon has a minimum storage life.
This short shelf life could be because watermelons are composed of a considerable quantity of water and sugar.
As a result, it is easy for microorganisms, such as bacteria, to grow in certain areas.
Once the watermelon is sliced, it pretty much becomes like sugar water.
As a word of advice, consume everything as soon as it comes to the peak of its ripe age.
This is not just for the sake of being able to eat it before it goes spoiled.
You want to eat the watermelon when it is in prime ripe condition because that is when it tastes best as well.
You can vividly savor the juices and feel their delicious and sweet taste, perfect for combating that summer heat.
How To Know If It Watermelon Has Gone Bad
It is critical to know how to tell if watermelon is bad.
We have two methods listed below that will help you with how to know when watermelon is bad.
Method One: To Check For Signs
Watermelon showing cracks
1. Spots Some Molds On The Exterior
The first step to find out whether your watermelon has gone bad is to spot for signs.
That first sign you need to look for are any dark spots also better known as molds.
These molds are usually the spots that stand out when spotted at the exterior of your watermelon.
If it doesn’t, then you are going to need to dig a little deeper.
Literally.
2. Check The Color
Watermelon has that stereotypical appearance of being stripped.
It is an alternating pattern between dark green and a lighter shade of green.
However, there is also another look for watermelon and that is a consistent shade of green that resembles a pine.
3. Analyze The Watermelon Flesh
Cut open your fruit and examine the fruit flesh.
What you will first notice, if your watermelon has already gone bad, is that it has already started to shrivel.
At times, the seed is already distancing themselves away from the flesh.
At other times, the flesh can also turn a little slimy.
4. Check The Smell
The smell can be a big giveaway on whether your fruit has already gone bad.
Chances are if it now smells a bit tangy or sour, then it is time for you to throw it away.
Method Two: Through Dates
1. Check The Expiration Date
As for this method, the rule of thumb is to follow this if what you are eating is the pre-cut watermelons.
The first step to managing these types of watermelon is to check the expiration date.
2. Store In The Refrigerator
You may opt to do this for at least the first two to three days.
Please take the liberty of eating your watermelons after this given time duration.
Otherwise, you probably should try to look for the same signs that I have mentioned in the first step.
3. Evaluate Each Cut
Since these watermelons are already pre-cut, the signs you have to look for are a bit different from the whole watermelon.
For this step, check each cut individually. Examine the smell and the color of the flesh.
How Long Does Watermelon Stay Good For?
- An uncut watermelon can be kept on the counter at room temperature for up to 10 days.
- An uncut watermelon can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- A cut watermelon is good in the fridge for about 3 days.
How To Extend Storage Life
- There is no better advice than to refrigerate your whole watermelons.
For best results, do this at a temperature of about 55 degrees. - If you are eating the pre-cut watermelons, the best way to keep it fresh is to store it in air tight containers in the fridge.
How To Pick A Watermelon
A good watermelon should be free of bruises and rotting spots.
It should feel heavy compared to other watermelons of its size.
A ripe watermelon will be cream colored on the bottom.
Step 1: Visual Inspection
Do you see any bruises, rotting spots or holes in the watermelon?
Step 2: Pick It Up
Is it heavy?
It should feel heavy.
Watermelon is almost completely water.
If it feels light for its size compared to other watermelons it isn’t good.
Step 2: Pick It Up
The bottom side of the watermelon, where it was laying on the ground, should be creamy in color.
If it is white it isn’t ripe.
If it is bright yellow, it is overripe.
When Is Watermelon In Season?
The watermelon season ranges from June to September in the United States.
However, these days you can often buy cut up watermelon year around in the grocery stores.
However, keep in mind that the winter months will likely not produce the sweet and juicy watermelon that we all love.
During the winter season the watermelon tends to come from Mexico and Central America.
Can You Freeze Watermelon?
You can freeze cut watermelon.
You should not attempt to freeze a whole watermelon.
If you freeze watermelon make sure to remove the seeds.
It is best to only freeze seedless watermelons.
Freezing watermelon will change the texture of the watermelon when you defrost it.
We recommend that you freeze it in small chunks and defrost it slowly in the fridge.
The Bottom Line
Watermelon, indeed, goes bad. It is easy to find out whether it already has. Look for empirical evidence; check its exterior appearance, the look of the flesh and the smell.
However, despite its limited storage life, there are different methods you can employ to ensure that its life can be extended.
Of course, the number one rule you have to keep in mind is to refrigerate it well.
And lastly, to use proper means of storage.
There you have it, folks! I hope you enjoyed this article. Should you have any other suggestions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to leave them down below.
I’ll see you on the next article!
Michael
Thursday 10th of June 2021
I am in southern New England. For most of the past 10 years, I've been very disappointed with the quality of watermelons. The texture has been mushy, over ripe, even if the exterior looks fine and the melon is heavy. For Memorial Day, Shop Rite had wonderful seeded watermelons, very big & very heavy, firm meat & sugary. I also bought unseeded watermelons at Aldi's & Trader Joe's, as both were mushy, yuk! It looks like that I'm the only person dissatisfied with a mushy watermelon? This watermelon season is off to a slow & expensive start. Even the photos of cut watermelons in the circulars don't look right, for the past several years.
Beth
Wednesday 28th of July 2021
@Michael, I’ve also found the watermelons from Aldi and Trader Joe’s to be off. I did find a good one at Harris Teeter. I live in SE Virginia and this is one of our main stores. I do not like a mushy watermelon.