Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Can cantaloupe go bad if not refrigerated?
A whole cantaloupe keeps for about 5 to 7 days at room temperature and two to maybe three weeks in the fridge. If the fruit is not fully ripe, add an extra 5 to 10 days on the counter.
How long can cantaloupe sit out at room temperature?
two hours
Leftover cut cantaloupe should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours. Use a cooler with ice or use ice gel packs when transporting or storing cantaloupes outdoors. Sliced or cut melon should never be out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours, 1 hour when it’s above 90 °F.
How long does a cantaloupe last uncut?
seven to 10 days
A whole, uncut cantaloupe or honeydew melon should last for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. A whole, uncut watermelon is even sturdier: It should be good for two weeks.
Does uncut melon have to be refrigerated?
Whole melons like watermelons, honeydews, and cantaloupes retain their flavor best at room temperature. Storing them at normal temperatures may even help keep their nutrients intact. Plus, they take up a lot of space in the fridge. Only once they’re cut should you refrigerate them, and only for a few days at most.
How long can a cantaloupe sit on the counter?
Cantaloupe shelf life:
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.
How can you tell if a cantaloupe has gone bad?
How to tell if cut cantaloupe is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the cut cantaloupe: discard any cantaloupe that has an off smell or appearance; if mold appears, discard the cut cantaloupe.
Can you get listeria from cantaloupe?
Listeria can get in cantaloupe
Cantaloupes may look innocent, but they are the source of the most deadly foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. In 2011, a listeria outbreak in cantaloupes caused foodborne illness in 147 people and killed more than 30. Shockwaves from the outbreak are still felt today.
Can cantaloupe cause Salmonella?
Still, you should take food safety precautions when preparing any produce—especially cantaloupe, because its rough rind can trap salmonella and some other types of harmful bacteria, according to the FDA.
What is the best way to store cantaloupe?
How to Store Cantaloupe. Let a not-quite-ready cantaloupe ripen at room temperature for up to two days (keeping it in a closed paper bag will speed up the process). Refrigerate a whole ripe melon for up to five days. For cut wedges of cantaloupe, cover the surfaces and refrigerate for up to three days.
Is it OK to eat cantaloupe everyday?
Improves vision: Eating cantaloupe daily can improve your vision. Vitamin C, zeaxanthin and carotenoids present in cantaloupe improve vision and reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration (an eye disease that causes vision loss, typically in the central field of vision).
How do you store uncut cantaloupe?
How to Store Melons
- Wait. Whole melon should be left at room temperature until ripe.
- Place. Once ripe, place whole, uncovered melons, in the refrigerator.
- Cover. To store melon halves, cover tightly with either ClingWrap or Press’n Seal® wrap.
- Refrigerate.
What happens if you eat too much cantaloupe?
If there is too much potassium to process at once, you can develop a condition known as hyperkalemia. Having too much potassium in your blood increases your risk of a heart attack. Eating too much cantaloupe may also be hard on your intestines and cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other digestive problems.
What fruits should not be refrigerated?
Fruits That Should Not Be Stored in the Refrigerator
Apricots, Asian pears, avocado, bananas, guava, kiwis, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papayas, passion fruit, pawpaw, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, plantain, plums, starfruit, soursop, and quince will continue to ripen if left out on the counter.
Can cantaloupe make you sick?
Melons and food poisoning
While melons do not naturally contain bacteria that can make you sick, their outer skin or rind can become contaminated because melons are grown close to the ground. Eating melons that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick.
Why does my cantaloupe taste fizzy?
If your cantaloupe is fermenting, you may experience a slight fizziness in your mouth and an astringent, sour smell and taste. Due to the sugars in cantaloupe, yeasts can cause it to ferment. It is sadly usually best to instead toss a fermented cantaloupe.
How long does melon last out of the fridge?
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!
Can you get sick from overripe cantaloupe?
The bacteria have a long incubation period, which means that it may take as long as four weeks for people who have eaten contaminated cantaloupe to feel ill. Listeriosis typically causes fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Can cantaloupe cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea From Bacteria in Fruit
The Food and Poison Journal warns that symptoms of abdominal cramps and diarrhea from cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon caused by the Salmonella bacteria is a problem in America.
Why is my cantaloupe wet?
If the end of the fruit is wet or bruising, it is ripe. Otherwise, it should be firm and free of bruises. Check the stem end to see if it’s ripe. Cantaloupe is a famous muskmelon variety that glows brightly during the summer.
Can you cut mold off cantaloupe?
Suslow and Patricio both warn that any nicks or cuts in the rind or any mold on the rind or at the blossom end can be a pathway that pathogens can use to get into the flesh of the melon. Once you’ve brought the melon home, don’t wash it until you’re ready to eat it, Suslow said.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.