Can a whole watermelon be stored at room temp? (2024)

Can a whole watermelon be stored at room temp?

Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature. After two days at 32°F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture. Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored between 9-36°F.

How do you store uncut watermelon?

Whole watermelon should be left at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, place the whole watermelon, uncovered, in the refrigerator. Once cut, seal cut watermelon halves or slices in a Glad^® Zipper Bag. Store in the refrigerator.

Does whole watermelon go bad?

A good rule of thumb is to eat pre-cut watermelon within 5 days of buying the fruit. Watermelon you cut yourself and store in an airtight container in the fridge should also be eaten within 5 days. A whole watermelon can last in your kitchen for about 1 week , and in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

How long can you keep a whole watermelon unrefrigerated?

Storage & Shelf Life of Whole & Cut Watermelon

Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature. After two days at 32°F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture.

How long can a whole watermelon sit out?

Watermelon stored at 50 to 60 °F with a relative humidity of 90% will be acceptable for up to 3 weeks. Watermelons held in dry storage below 75 °F will have approximate shelf life of up to 10 days. If dry storage temperatures are above 75 °F, shelf life will decline to 5 days.

Does an uncut watermelon need to be refrigerated?

Melons, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew, should be kept at room temperature until you cut into them to ensure they have the best flavor. Once they've been cut into, store them in the refrigerator and be sure to eat within four days.

Do I have to cut the whole watermelon?

Pre-cut watermelon is readily available in many grocery stores these days, but whenever you can, buy one whole, and chop it up yourself. For starters, it'll be fresher, and it'll have a better texture, as watermelon starts to soften and release juice once it's chopped.

Can you store cut watermelon in a Ziploc bag?

Cut watermelon wedges should be stored in an airtight container or a ziplock bag in the fridge. When stored properly, they can last for 5 days to a week.

Does uncut watermelon go bad?

Don't eat refrigerated, uncut watermelon after 2-3 weeks.

After about two weeks, refrigerated, uncut watermelon will start to turn. To prevent your uncut, refrigerated watermelon from going bad, eat it within two weeks of purchase.

How do you know if an uncut watermelon is still good?

If the flesh has noticeable dark spots or is covered in anything slimey, you should toss it. If it looks fine but has a sour or ~off~ smell, that's another indication that this watermelon is no good.

How can you tell if a whole watermelon is good?

A ripe watermelon should have a thick rind that doesn't give easily when pressured. The ones that do are generally overripe. Also, if you scratch it with your thumbnail, you shouldn't be able to cut through it. A ripe watermelon should have a firm rind that doesn't give to pressure and is not easily scratched.

Is watermelon OK left out overnight?

If melon pieces sit out at room temperature for longer than two hours, throw them out. If you have to wonder how long they've been out there, they've been out too long. Cantaloupes, watermelons and other melons are great, nutritious foods – but if they're handled incorrectly, they can make you very sick!

Does watermelon last longer cut up or whole?

That's because the fruit's shelf-life shortens dramatically once you cut it. According to the NWPB, you've only got three to five days to make the most of those watermelons slices. The best way to store watermelon after it's been cut is in the fridge. If you've got slices or cubes, put them in a sealable container.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Good news: Your pooch can eat watermelon. However, this does come with precautions, according to the American Kennel Club. First, the watermelon must be seedless or you should remove the seeds before giving it to your pet. The seeds could lead to an intestinal blockage, so be sure that you pick a seedless watermelon.

What is the best way to store a whole watermelon?

If your watermelon is ripe and you don't have time to eat it, don't panic. But don't slice either. Slide that whole watermelon into the fridge, where it will stay fresh for two to three more weeks. The cool temperature of the refrigerator will slow the ripening process.

Can you get food poisoning from spoiled watermelon?

Melons and food poisoning

Eating melons that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick. Contaminated melons have been linked to cases of food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacteria. Melons can become contaminated in the field by: soil.

Why you shouldn't eat watermelon at night?

Watermelon has 92% water content. While it does solve your hydration blues in peak summers, having it at night can potentially make you take more trips to the bathroom, disturb your sleep. In some cases, watermelon, if not eaten in control can lead to the problem of water retention, causing swelling and overhydration.

When should you throw out watermelon?

Taste: Even if the exterior looks okay, there's a chance that the fruit could have gone bad. If you bit into a piece of watermelon that looked and smelled fine but its tastes sour or has a fizzy sensation on your tongue, throw it out. Feel: A slimy or slippery feel is another indication that something is amiss.

Can you eat a whole watermelon in one sitting?

While it may be tempting to work your way through an entire watermelon on a hot summer afternoon, try to stick to around a cup at a time, rather than an entire fruit outright; watermelon is considered a high FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) fruit, which means it contains ...

How much is the world's most expensive watermelon?

The most expensive watermelon ever sold at auction was a black Densuke watermelon from Hokkaido,Japan. It was bought for¥650,000(approximately$6,100 USD) by a local supermarket chain owner in 2008.

Why you should stop putting watermelon in the fridge?

Refrigerated watermelon is less nutritious

Otherwise, storing your whole melon in the fridge leads to unpleasant changes in flavor, texture, and color. It is best stored at temperatures between 50 to 59 F, but even when stored at room temperature, it will last for seven to 10 days.

What is the best container to store watermelon in?

For Long-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag for up to six months. The flesh will be softer than fresh melon when thawed, so it's not as good when eating it out of hand, but frozen watermelon is great for making ice cream, smoothies, Popsicles, and drinks.

Does watermelon get sweeter in the fridge?

When a watermelon is cut into pieces and stored in the refrigerator, the cold temperature slows down the natural ripening process and enzymatic activity. This can give the perception of increased sweetness because the cold temperature can enhance the perception of sweetness and decrease the perception of sourness.

Can I freeze watermelon?

Yes, that's right, watermelon is freezer-friendly. Freezing won't allow you to bite into a crisp and tender wedge of watermelon in the middle of winter, but it will allow you to make a Creamy Watermelon Smoothie or Watermelon Gazpacho. And it's a super-simple process.

How long is a watermelon good for after you cut it?

Cut watermelon has a substantially lower shelf life than the whole watermelon. When refrigerated, it preserves its quality for around 3 to 5 days. It only lasts about a day if left out at room temperature, so that's not a good option.