how long does cantaloupe last?- Have you ever put a cantaloupe in the fridge for several days and then returned to check on it after a while, unsure if it is still edible? Many people are unsure whether they can eat refrigerated cantaloupe, especially if it has been stored for more than a few days.
How long does cantaloupe keep in the refrigerator? When fully ripe, uncut cantaloupe can keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. At room temperature, an uncut cantaloupe can last 5 to 7 days. When fully ripe, cut cantaloupe can last 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Cut cantaloupe will only last 2-4 hours at room temperature. If the cantaloupe is ripe, it should be safe to eat within 3 to 5 days. In most cases, the level of ripeness of the cantaloupe is critical in determining how long it can be stored in the fridge.
Table of Contents
how long does cantaloupe last?
The precise answer depends heavily on storage conditions; after purchasing, keep cantaloupe in a cool, dry place.
Cantaloupe keeps at room temperature for how long? Cantaloupe keeps well at room temperature for about 1 to 2 days.
Refrigerate cantaloupe in a plastic bag to extend its shelf life.
How long does cantaloupe last in the fridge?
Cantaloupe will usually keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days if properly stored.
Can you freeze cantaloupe?
Yes, in order to freeze: (1) Cut the cantaloupe melon in half and remove the seeds and rind; (2) Slice or cube the melon or cut it into balls; (3) Store in airtight containers with lids or heavy-duty freezer bags.
How long does cantaloupe last in the freezer?
It will keep its best quality for about 10 to 12 months if properly stored, but it will be safe for much longer. The freezer time indicated is only for best quality; cantaloupe that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
How to tell if cantaloupe is bad or spoiled?
The best way is to smell and inspect the cantaloupe: if it develops an off-odor, flavor, or appearance, it should be discarded; if mold appears, discard the entire cantaloupe.
How Long Does Cantaloupe Last?
A whole cantaloupe will keep for 5 to 7 days at room temperature and two to three weeks in the fridge. If the fruit is not fully ripe, leave it on the counter for an additional 5 to 10 days. Cantaloupe keeps in the fridge for 4 to 5 days after being cut up.
While cantaloupe is a self-picking fruit (it begins to separate from the vine when mature), it is not always harvested ripe.
Cantaloupe melons for export are frequently cut from the plant early so that they remain firm and survive transportation in good condition.
As a result, if you buy cantaloupe in the winter or an import, it may not be fully ripe and will require a few days on the counter to reach its peak quality.
Cutting cantaloupe
Check the stem end of your cantaloupe to see if it was harvested ripe. It has been harvested mature if it is “dimpled.” If the woody stem remains attached (and visible), the fruit has been removed from the vine.
- Okay, so you’d like to know if your cantaloupe has matured yet, right?
- If the flower end (rather than the stem end) is slightly pliable.
- The skin between the netting turned yellow instead of green.
- The fruit has a powerful sweet aroma.
- If at least one of the above statements is true, your cantaloupe is likely ready. If neither is the case, leave the fruit on the counter until it ripens. It typically takes 5 to 10 days, depending on how long the specimen has been sitting in the supermarket.
Tip
Unripe cantaloupe is sweeter and softer than ripe cantaloupe. If you’ve ever eaten one that lacked sweetness or appeared to be quite firm, it wasn’t mature.
How To Store Cantaloupe?
The counter is the best place to ripen an unripe cantaloupe. You can leave it at room temperature or refrigerate it once it’s ripe, depending on when you plan to eat it. A cut-up cantaloupe should be stored in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator.
If your cantaloupe isn’t yet ripe (read the section above if you’re unsure), leave it on the counter or in a fruit bowl until it is. It’s not dangerous to eat it before it’s ripe, but the quality won’t be as good. When the fruit is ripe, you have a choice.
If you know you’ll eat it within a couple of days, leaving it on the counter is fine. Furthermore, because melons are quite large, it does not take up valuable fridge space.
Cantaloupe half in a freezer bag
However, if you don’t have any plans and believe you’ll get to it “someday,” put it in the refrigerator. It also works with other melons, such as honeydew or watermelon.
TIP
- Place a whole cantaloupe in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate it. This will keep the aroma of the fruit from contaminating other foods.
- Once the fruit has been cut up, seal it tightly in an airtight bag (if it has been halved or quartered) or a plastic container (if it has been diced).
- Remove the seeds if you only halved or quartered the fruit. They will aid in the retention of moisture for a longer period of time.
- Cantaloupe diced in a plastic container
How To Tell If Cantaloupe Is Bad?
- Feel light, hollow, or extremely soft. If the melon appears to be hollow inside or the rind is soft, it has lost most of its water and is no longer edible.
- Have a lot of bruises or discolored spots? You can trim away any small damaged areas, but if a fourth of the rind is brown, it’s time to throw it out.
- Smell bad. Throw it out if the aroma isn’t sweet and pleasant, but rather sour or pungent.
- Are cut up and have been sitting in storage for too long, or are moldy. If your cantaloupe half has been sitting in the fridge for more than a week, it must be discarded. The same goes if you notice any signs of mold in the container or bag.
- Cantaloupe rind with a black spot
- When cutting a cantaloupe, make sure to check what’s beneath the rind for a black spot.
- Some of the points raised above aren’t black and white, but rather depend on your judgment. In those cases, trust your instincts.
- Feel free to eat it if it says the cantaloupe is only slightly softer than usual and otherwise perfectly fine. However, if the smell seems off and you’d rather not eat that fruit, it’s fine to thrash it.
Finally, if the rind begins to soften, the melon is becoming overripe, and the time to act is now. You can eat it the same day, or dice it and refrigerate it for a day or two at most.
How Can You Store Cantaloupe in the Fridge to Last Longer?
Eating an unripe cantaloupe is not entirely risky; however, the taste will be disappointing.
Some experts recommend storing your unripe cantaloupe in the refrigerator to ensure that it lasts longer without going bad. However, this may not be the best approach for those who want to get the most out of their cantaloupe.
Slicing your cantaloupe and placing it in an airtight bag before storing it in the fridge has proven to be a dependable storage method. It is recommended that you do not remove the seeds when slicing your cantaloupe to store in the fridge because the seeds will help the fruit retain moisture, which may be required for the fruit to thrive in the cold refrigerator temperature.
Cantaloupes should not be stored at temperatures below 35°F. Cantaloupe may be harmed if kept at temperatures below this threshold. This can cause browning of the rinds, dryness, loss of sweetness, and rapid deterioration. Check the temperature setting in your refrigerator to ensure it is greater than 35°F.
Shelf Life of Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a melon family member with orange flesh and a rough, firm outer skin. Cantaloupe is low in calories and high in potassium. Potassium helps to maintain electrolyte balance in the body and can help to prevent dehydration. In the fridge, the sweet-tasting melon has a shelf life of about ten days. When the number is kept on the counter, it decreases to about four days. The freshness of the melon can be preserved by storing it in a cool, dark place. Keep the fruit whole to extend its shelf life. Cut fruit will keep in the fridge for three or four days.
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