Signs that Watermelon Is Bad – Sometimes spoiled watermelon looks and smells fine. This is often the case with cut melon that’s been sitting in a container in your fridge for a week or so. Here’s a checklist for questionable watermelon.

Smell: This is the most noticeable sign. If it smells bad, it is bad. 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. Don’t rinse it off. Just pitch it. Looks: If the flesh has noticeable dark spots or is covered in anything slimy or fuzzy, you should toss it. Best-before date: Pre-cut watermelon packages tend to be tagged with an expiration date. Of course, most foods aren’t guaranteed to spoil by that date, so it’s best to know what to look for. Again, you want to avoid melon that’s slimy, discolored, weird-smelling, or growing anything fuzzy.

Is it safe to eat overripe watermelon?

As someone who loves watermelon (A LOT!), I’ve often wondered whether it’s safe to eat overripe watermelon. After all, we’ve all had that one watermelon that’s been sitting in the fridge for too long and has started to look a little sad. But is it still safe to eat? According to my research, you can eat overripe watermelon, but there are definitely some things to keep in mind.

Can watermelon go bad in the fridge?

So, how long does cut watermelon last? – Whole watermelons keep for approximately a week at room temperature and two weeks in the refrigerator. In the fridge, cut watermelon will last between 3 and 5 days. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped, so it doesn’t dry out.

How long is watermelon good for?

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.

Can you tell if a watermelon is good?

Tip 2: Tap the underbelly and listen for a deep sound – Another way to find a ripe watermelon is to lightly knock the outside with your knuckles. A ripe melon will have a deeper sound, as opposed to an over-ripe one that will have a more hollow or flat sound. A duller, more hollow sound can mean the flesh is starting to go soft and spoil.

How can you tell if a watermelon is bad when you cut it open?

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em (’em being watermelons) As the weather gets swelteringly hot, watermelon begins to make up about 80 percent of my diet. While some folks will buy a whole watermelon at the grocery store and break down the fruit themselves, others are far more likely to buy it pre-sliced.

Is it easier? Absolutely. But, like all produce, once it’s sliced open it will go bad much quicker. But while apple slices will go brown and grapes begin to wrinkle, watermelon doesn’t show its age the same way. When selecting a whole melon at the grocery store, you want to check and make sure it’s ripe enough, but you also want to avoid a melon that’s overripe.

The easiest way to tell is to check the skin for any soggy spots and patches of greenish-blue, black, or white mold. Even if the exterior looks OK, there’s a chance that the fruit could have gone bad. If the flesh has noticeable dark spots or is covered in anything slimey, you should toss it.

1. If it looks fine but has a sour or ~off~ smell, that’s another indication that this watermelon is no good.
2. On the plus side, I bet if you can prove that you purchased rancid fruit and then take it back to the store immidiately (and make an appropriate fuss) you can get your money back.
3. Pre-cut watermelon packages tend to be tagged with an expiration date, and that should be taken seriously.

Of course, most foods aren’t guaranteed to spoil by that date, so it’s best to know what to look for. Again, you want to avoid melon that’s slimy, discolored, weird-smelling, or growing anything fuzzy. Sometimes spoiled watermelon looks and smells fine.

• This is often the case with cut melon that’s been sitting in a container in your fridge for a week or so.
• Though the sealed container has prevented the fruit from getting slimy or growing mold, the melon can still be bad, and could potentially make you sick.
• If you take a bite and the fruit is sour or fizzy, spit it out and chuck the rest.

A good rule of thumb is to eat pre-cut watermelon by the expiration date, or at the most, within five days of buying the fruit. Watermelon you cut yourself and store in an airtight container in the fridge should also be eaten within five days. A whole watermelon can last in your kitchen for about a week (though if it’s really warm in your place, that may be too long, as our Senior Food and Drinks Editor Kat Kinsman found out last summer), and in the fridge for about two weeks.

Can you eat slightly old watermelon?

Sign #5: A Bad Watermelon Has A Horrible Smell – The watermelon’s skin should have hardly any smell; even the best, freshest cut watermelons will have a minimal scent to them. If anything, it should smell slightly watery with vague hints of sweetness, but most of this will be undetectable through the skin.

When a watermelon starts to go bad, it will develop an overripe smell. It’s like the same watery and slightly sweet smell but far more pronounced. At this point, your watermelon is still safe to eat, but not for much longer. However, it will soon reach a point where the fruit will start to smell rotten.

You can especially detect this if you cut the watermelon open. You will get a sickeningly sweet smell that’s full of decomposition. By this time, your watermelon’s skin will probably be soggy, and parts of its flesh will be dried up and brown. This is also the point where many watermelons will burst open and spill rotten, foul-smelling juice.

Can uncut watermelon go bad?

Download Article Download Article Watermelon is a delicious summer treat, but to protect your health, it’s important to know if a watermelon is bad. One way you could discover whether your watermelon is bad is by checking for mold or a foul smell. You could also use the expiration date to tell if the watermelon is bad.

1. 1 Check for mold on the outside. Mold or dark-colored spots on the outside of the watermelon could indicate that it has gone bad. The mold might be black, white, or green, and have a fuzzy appearance.
2. 2 Look for a healthy color outside. The watermelon should have either a consistent pine green shade or a striped appearance. Striped watermelons have alternating lime-green and darker pine-colored stripes. Advertisement
3. 3 Look for a deep pink or red inside. These colors indicate the watermelon is healthy. If your watermelon is a different color (black, for instance), do not eat it.
   • Different varieties of watermelon have different internal appearances. Desert King, Tendergold, Yellow Baby, and Yellow Doll watermelons have yellow or orange flesh.
4. 4 Beware of gritty and dry watermelon flesh. When watermelon is no longer good, the crisp flesh will start to shrivel. The flesh might even be pulling away from the seeds. In other cases, the watermelon might become slimy and mushy.
5. 5 Smell the watermelon before cutting into it. A healthy, edible watermelon should smell sweet and fresh. If it smells tangy or sour, it’s gone bad and should be thrown it away.

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1. 1 Use the expiration date. If you’re eating pre-cut watermelon you bought from the market, the container should include an eat-by, use-by, or another expiration date. This date lets you know how long you have until the watermelon goes bad.
2. 2 Eat cut watermelon within five days. Properly stored, sliced watermelon will stay good three to five days. Make eating it a priority to prevent it from going bad.
3. 3 Eat unrefrigerated, uncut watermelon within 10 days. After about a week, uncut, unrefrigerated watermelon will start to turn. Eat uncut, unrefrigerated watermelon as soon as possible.
4. 4 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.

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1. 1 Refrigerate your whole or sliced watermelon. Watermelons are typically refrigerated at a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius (55 F). Storing your fruit at 21 Celsius (70 F) will increase its lycopene and beta-carotene content (both of which are important antioxidants).
2. 2 Store cut watermelon in an airtight container. A resealable bag or container is the best place for watermelon. This will preserve its flavor and freshness.
   • In a pinch, wrap your watermelon tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
3. 3 Use caution when freezing watermelon, Some people advise against freezing watermelon altogether, since thawing or cutting open a frozen watermelon piece could cause the juice to drip out. If you decide to live on the wild side and want to freeze your watermelon, place it in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The watermelon will stay good for 10-12 months.

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Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Article Summary X To tell if a watermelon is bad, examine the outer rind for a consistent green or green-striped color.

Dark-colored or moldy spots, which will look fuzzy and be black, white, or green, indicate the melon isn’t fresh. If everything looks good, put your nose close to the rind and check for a sweet, fresh scent. If it smells tangy or sour, toss it out. Then, slice open your melon and look for deep pink or red flesh inside.

If yours is any other color, or if the flesh looks gritty or shriveled, throw the watermelon away! If you want to learn how to store your watermelon so it lasts longer, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 487,413 times.

Why is my watermelon fizzy?

“Foaming” Watermelon Recently a short video showing foam coming out of a watermelon (“foaming” watermelon) has been circulating in the social media. This raised public concerns on whether it is safe to eat such watermelons. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has looked into such situation, including consulting relevant experts for their opinions.

• The phenomenon of “foaming” watermelon has been reported in Hong Kong as well as in other places.
• Experts in this area considered that when a watermelon becomes over-matured and/or is fermenting, the pressure inside the watermelon increases and this may result in the “foaming” phenomenon.
• On the other hand, there is currently no scientific literature documenting that “injection” to watermelon caused ” foaming” of watermelon.

If “foaming” is observed in a watermelon, it is possible that the watermelon is already starting to rot. For the sake of prudence, the CFS advises the public not to eat a watermelon which is “foaming” and shows dubious quality (e.g. off odour). : “Foaming” Watermelon

What can I do with a mushy watermelon?

If you’ve ever purchased a watermelon that’s ended up being a bit too mushy after cutting into it. Try sprinkling it on both sides with sugar, or sugar substitute such as truvia ( Stevia), then freeze for a refreshing treat, mush free! It’s like a natural Popsicle/sorbet.

Is watermelon good after 3 days?

8 Foods You Should Not Refrigerate Summer is prime time for produce. While you may know how to cook and eat these seasonal goodies, are you storing them correctly? Here are 8 farmers’ markets finds that should stay out of the fridge. Tomatoes The chill of the icebox makes dull and mealy.

1. Store on the counter (under-ripe ones can go on the windowsill).
2. If they begin to get too ripe, it’s time to make or,
3. Melon Keep whole melons like, and honeydew on the counter for best flavor.
4. Found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact.
5. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Potatoes Cold temps will break down the starches in, making them unpleasantly sweet and gritty. Cool and dry darkness is a spud’s best bud. Onions Uncut are happy out of the cold. The humidity of the refrigerator makes them moldy and mushy. Avoid direct sunlight and once cut open, place in a resealable bag in the vegetable drawer.

Garlic Preserve the powerful flavor of by storing in a cool, dry and ventilated container. Once the head has been broken open, use the cloves within 10 days. Apples will do well (and look pretty) on your counter. If they aren’t eaten after a week or two, make them last a little bit longer by then chilling them in the fridge.

Berries from your local farm taste amazing at room temperature so it’s the sooner the better for munching. For long-term storage keep them in the fridge. To avoid soggy or moldy berries, rinse just before eating. Stone Fruit Allow peaches,, and to ripen at room temperature.

How long can cut watermelon be left unrefrigerated?

Cut melons can be a potentially hazardous food, supporting the rapid growth of bacteria. Use these instructions to properly handle and serve melon. Melons are a delicious and nutritious summer fruit, We know fruit is an important part of a balanced diet; national guidelines recommend we make half our plate fruits and vegetables each day. However, fresh fruit, like many other foods, can be hazardous if not prepared or stored properly.

1. Following some simple guidelines will help keep your fruit fresh and safe.
2. It begins where the melons grow.
3. Most melons are grown on the ground.
4. The ground is dirty, but the rind protects the inside of the melon.
5. The problem is that germs like E-coli, Listeria or Salmonella can sometimes hang out on the rind.

The bacteria may be there, or it may not be – we don’t know, but because scientists learn from previous mistakes, we do know that some melons have E-coli hovering around the outside of the melon. In most cases, the E-coli germs don’t do too much to the rind of the melon.

• It’s the cutting of the melon that can cause the problem.
• If you don’t properly wash the melon before you cut it, you might introduce E-coli to the inside of the melon.
• The bacteria will attach onto the knife blade from the surface of the dirty melon and travel through the melon, once the cuts are made, it contaminates every slice.

Once there, the germs find enough nutrients to grow on, all they need is the proper temperature and time to grow. Letting the melon slices sit on the table at your backyard BBQ, or in the kitchen waiting to be served gives them enough time in the Temperature Danger Zone (41 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit; 5 degrees Celsius to 57.2 degrees Celsius) and the germs start to reproduce.

Since it is very rare that anyone cooks melon, the bacteria will be consumed when the melon is eaten. So how should I keep cut melons safe to eat? Always wash melons and your other produce completely. This will help you remove any germs from the outside before you start cutting. Make sure that the knives and cutting boards you use are also clean.

Always wash your hands before doing the cutting! Then place the cut melon in the refrigerator or an ice chest to keep it cold; this will prevent any germs that escaped the cleaning from growing too quickly. When should I throw it out? Keep cut melons cold,

• 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! Most produce is purchased as “raw” products.

This means you should take them home and wash them, cook them or do something else with them before you eat them! Follow these recommendations and enjoy the goodness of melons!

Can watermelon go bad in a day?

Storage & Shelf Life of Whole & Cut Watermelon – Store watermelon between 50-59°F, however 55°F is the ideal temperature. If watermelon are received refrigerated do not break the cold chain and store them in refrigeration. Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature.

1. After two days at 32°F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color.
2. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture.
3. Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored between 9-36°F.
4. As a part of Cutting & Yield Research the NWPB tested watermelon shelf life, once cut.

The 36-count watermelon was still edible at day 7 and had a 7-day shelf life. The 45- and 60-count watermelon sampling and microbial study showed that the watermelon was still edible at day 4 and had a 4-day shelf life. Food Innovation Center (a part of Oregon State University) researchers suggested further shelf life research due to the 36-count being received refrigerated and the 45- and 60-count received at ambient temperatures, which could explain the shelf life discrepancy.

How do you tell if a watermelon is good before you buy it?

Try tapping a watermelon with your hand or fist. A ripe one delivers a deep sound, whereas an overripe one sounds hollow or flat.

What happens if you accidentally eat bad watermelon?

Food Poisoning – Consuming bad watermelon could cause food poisoning. This results from harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria within the fruit. Food poisoning may cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. These could be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

What does the bottom of a watermelon look like when it’s ripe?

Transcript: When is a Watermelon Ripe on the Vine? – Watermelon can be pretty tricky to tell if it’s ripe on the vine. The most important thing to look for when you’re trying to tell when your watermelon is ripe is to look at the tendril right next to the stem.

When the watermelon is ripe, the tendril will either be fully brown, or at least starting to turn brown. It shouldn’t be nice and green. That means that your watermelon is still growing, getting bigger, and getting sweeter. When you’re picking a watermelon, you need to cut the stem. Unlike cantaloupe, the stem won’t pull out easily.

Another thing to look for on your watermelon, to see if it’s ripe, is if it has a yellow area on the bottom of the melon. If it doesn’t have a flat, yellow area then that’s another sign that it’s not ripe yet. You can grow watermelons in a small area, if you choose the right type of watermelon.

This variety here is a Sugar Baby watermelon, which means that it’s a bush type. The vines only grow about three to three and one-half feet long. It takes up much less space than your average watermelon. The downside to this plant, is that each watermelon on the vine is about twelve pounds. So, it’s a smaller watermelon.

It’s not a huge icebox type of watermelon. And, the vine will have only one or two melons on it. The plant here has only one watermelon – for the whole summer. If you have a large container, thirteen to fifteen gallons of soil or bigger, then you can easily grow a vine such as a cantaloupe or a watermelon, if it’s a smaller variety. : Watermelon, When to Pick

Why is my watermelon not red inside?

A watermelon that is white on the inside is usually just unripe, meaning it has been picked too early. However, watermelons may also be white due to unsuitable growing conditions, so be aware of this if you are going to grow your own plants. White watermelons are generally safe to eat, but may not taste very good.

Why does melon taste fizzy?

‘Sorry to tell you, but your cantaloupe has spoiled and it’s begun to ferment which is why it taste fizzy or like it may have been carbonated. There is bacteria that is also called live active cultures, but not necessarily the good kind growing and you should definitely throw it away’.

What happens when watermelon is overripe?

Photo: naples34102 Did you accidentally bring home a less-than-perfect watermelon? Hey, we’ve all been there. It’s hard to tell what’s inside when you buy a watermelon (although we do have excellent tips for how to pick a ripe watermelon,) If your watermelon isn’t ripe, the flavor is pretty blah and there’s not much you can do with it.

What can I do with a mushy watermelon?

If you’ve ever purchased a watermelon that’s ended up being a bit too mushy after cutting into it. Try sprinkling it on both sides with sugar, or sugar substitute such as truvia ( Stevia), then freeze for a refreshing treat, mush free! It’s like a natural Popsicle/sorbet.

Can uncut watermelon go bad?

Download Article Download Article Watermelon is a delicious summer treat, but to protect your health, it’s important to know if a watermelon is bad. One way you could discover whether your watermelon is bad is by checking for mold or a foul smell. You could also use the expiration date to tell if the watermelon is bad.

1. 1 Check for mold on the outside. Mold or dark-colored spots on the outside of the watermelon could indicate that it has gone bad. The mold might be black, white, or green, and have a fuzzy appearance.
2. 2 Look for a healthy color outside. The watermelon should have either a consistent pine green shade or a striped appearance. Striped watermelons have alternating lime-green and darker pine-colored stripes. Advertisement
3. 3 Look for a deep pink or red inside. These colors indicate the watermelon is healthy. If your watermelon is a different color (black, for instance), do not eat it.
   • Different varieties of watermelon have different internal appearances. Desert King, Tendergold, Yellow Baby, and Yellow Doll watermelons have yellow or orange flesh.
4. 4 Beware of gritty and dry watermelon flesh. When watermelon is no longer good, the crisp flesh will start to shrivel. The flesh might even be pulling away from the seeds. In other cases, the watermelon might become slimy and mushy.
5. 5 Smell the watermelon before cutting into it. A healthy, edible watermelon should smell sweet and fresh. If it smells tangy or sour, it’s gone bad and should be thrown it away.

Advertisement

1. 1 Use the expiration date. If you’re eating pre-cut watermelon you bought from the market, the container should include an eat-by, use-by, or another expiration date. This date lets you know how long you have until the watermelon goes bad.
2. 2 Eat cut watermelon within five days. Properly stored, sliced watermelon will stay good three to five days. Make eating it a priority to prevent it from going bad.
3. 3 Eat unrefrigerated, uncut watermelon within 10 days. After about a week, uncut, unrefrigerated watermelon will start to turn. Eat uncut, unrefrigerated watermelon as soon as possible.
4. 4 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.

Advertisement

1. 1 Refrigerate your whole or sliced watermelon. Watermelons are typically refrigerated at a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius (55 F). Storing your fruit at 21 Celsius (70 F) will increase its lycopene and beta-carotene content (both of which are important antioxidants).
2. 2 Store cut watermelon in an airtight container. A resealable bag or container is the best place for watermelon. This will preserve its flavor and freshness.
   • In a pinch, wrap your watermelon tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
3. 3 Use caution when freezing watermelon, Some people advise against freezing watermelon altogether, since thawing or cutting open a frozen watermelon piece could cause the juice to drip out. If you decide to live on the wild side and want to freeze your watermelon, place it in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The watermelon will stay good for 10-12 months.

Advertisement

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Article Summary X To tell if a watermelon is bad, examine the outer rind for a consistent green or green-striped color.

Dark-colored or moldy spots, which will look fuzzy and be black, white, or green, indicate the melon isn’t fresh. If everything looks good, put your nose close to the rind and check for a sweet, fresh scent. If it smells tangy or sour, toss it out. Then, slice open your melon and look for deep pink or red flesh inside.

If yours is any other color, or if the flesh looks gritty or shriveled, throw the watermelon away! If you want to learn how to store your watermelon so it lasts longer, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 487,413 times.

What happens if you leave watermelon in the fridge for too long?

Refrigerated watermelon is less nutritious – Vlada Tikhonova/Shutterstock The National Watermelon Promotion Board says that watermelon should only be placed in the fridge under two conditions: if it was already refrigerated or if it is already cut. 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. But refrigeration affects more than just the taste and color. As shown in a study done by the USDA Agriculture Research Service, it also affects the nutrition levels. Antioxidant levels are higher in room-temperature watermelon.

Medical News Today explains that lycopene is 20% higher and beta-carotene levels double in unrefrigerated watermelon. (Refrigeration can cause a loss of color in the watermelon, and a darker color indicates a higher level of lycopene.) So once you bring home your watermelon, it’s best to leave it a room temperature until you are ready to cut it.