If you want to keep your watermelon fresh all year long, you need to know how to store watermelon properly. Different storage methods will result in different shelf lives. Uncut watermelons should be stored in ice water. You can also dehydrate it or peel it with gypsum. The gypsum will increase the fruit’s water content, improving its flavour and freshness. Here are some useful tips.
A luscious slice of watermelon is the epitome of summertime. But we are all aware of how discouraging it might be to cut up a full watermelon and bring it home only to find it to be mealy and dry. You can prevent this by learning to choose the ideal melon for your needs.
Tips for Picking Fresh Watermelon
Purchasing a good watermelon is the first step in keeping it fresh. You want a watermelon with a firm exterior no matter what size or seed count you’re aiming for. It is useless if you can press your finger into it. Choose a watermelon without dents or cuts, as these conditions can also cause overripening.
Your watermelon should have a hollow, drum-like sound when you tap it. That indicates that there is luscious fruit and juice inside that is ready to spill.
Whole, halved, quartered, and cubed watermelons can be purchased. Watermelons with yellow or orange flesh and seedless, picnic, and icebox varieties are popular choices. There are various variations for each kind. Watermelons without seeds will have little, edible white immature seeds instead of dark, black ones.
The icebox is spherical and compact, like a personal-size watermelon, making it ideal for a single individual or a small family. Large, round, oblong watermelons for picnics have a green rind and scarlet flesh. The yellow-orange watermelons can have seeds or not and have yellow-orange flesh.
How to Store Watermelon?
Watermelons are harvested when fully mature to prevent further ripening and soften at room temperature. Melons that are harvested before their prime never develop their full flavour. A full watermelon can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a week or two.
Use cut watermelon within three to five days after refrigeration and plastic-wrapping it. Watermelon can also be chopped and frozen, but when it thaws, the texture will be mushy (which is fine for cold soups and smoothies).
It can also be kept on the counter but away from the sun. According to the USDA, melons should be left out at room temperature to preserve their nutrition and flavour. In climate control or mild weather, a fresh watermelon can be left on the counter for one to two weeks. According to the Watermelon Board, an entire watermelon should be refrigerated at 55 degrees.
Don’t freak out if your watermelon is ripe and you don’t have time to consume it. Don’t, however, cut either. Put the entire watermelon in the refrigerator, which will remain fresh for two to three weeks. The refrigerator’s chilly temperature will slow the ripening process.
Storing Uncut Watermelon
When storing uncut watermelon, remember to keep it out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can dry out the rind of the melon, exposing the inside flesh to the air and spoiling the fruit quickly. Uncut watermelons can last up to a week in the fridge. Store them in an airtight plastic or aluminium container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Once opened, watermelons will begin to seep moisture. To slow this down, store them in an airtight resealable bag or airtight plastic container.
Check the flesh for bruises and a sour or tangy odour to tell if the melon is spoiled. A good melon will be firm and heavy, with a clear pink or red colour. If it’s sour, it’s rotten. Look for a layer of milky or white slimy flesh. These are telltale signs that the melon is past its prime. A sour watermelon should be discarded as soon as possible.
Uncut Watermelon in Ice Water
For a fun way to keep watermelon fresh and tasty, freeze it. You can keep it in the fridge for up to a year, but the fruit will become mushy and lose some flavour if you let it sit out too long. If you can’t eat the entire melon at once, you can freeze the leftover pieces and use them in smoothies or fruit-infused water.
To freeze watermelon for later use, you can cut the flesh into cubes and put them into freezer bags. To do this, freeze them on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil or in a freezer bag. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and use them whenever you want a refreshing glass of fruit-infused water. This way, you can enjoy a cold glass of watermelon anytime without having to go through the hassle of defrosting the whole ice-cream-covered fruit.
Uncut Watermelon in a Dehydrator
A dehydrator is a great way to preserve fresh, juicy fruit. It uses high heat to dry out food. It takes approximately 2 to 4 days to dehydrate uncut watermelon. Once it has dried, the fruit should be stored in a cool, dry place. It should be wrapped tightly in plastic or aluminium wrap and kept refrigerated. Watermelon may last up to 3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
Before dehydrating watermelon in a dehydrator, check the water. Look for soggy spots or patches of mould on the fruit. It should also be free of slime. Watermelon is slightly acidic, and dehydrating it can delay the digestion process. This can result in gastrointestinal problems. Before dehydrating watermelon, check the water to see if it is still safe to eat.
Uncut Watermelon in a Gypsum Peel
A gypsum peel is an excellent way to store your uncut watermelon. First, make sure your watermelon is not overripe but still firm. Next, mix the gypsum and water using the appropriate tool. The mixture should cover the entire surface of the watermelon. Once the mixture is applied, let it sit for at least an hour or overnight.
Next, you can peel the watermelon. You can use a chef’s knife to peel the whole fruit or cut it into cubes. Once you’ve finished peeling, you can enjoy your watermelon! Alternatively, you can serve it immediately or use the peel in a recipe.
How to Store Watermelon Slices?
After thoroughly cleaning your watermelon, cut off the bottom of the rind with a chef’s knife or cleaver to provide a flat surface for the remaining carving. You can cut the watermelon into cubes or slices that resemble pies or use a melon baller. Put the fresh chunks of melon in the refrigerator for an hour to cool if you like to eat it cold. To maintain the texture and juiciness of the chopped watermelon, make sure it is all tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, an airtight food storage container, or a natural alternative.
For Big Cut Watermelon Pieces
No matter the size, the best way to keep any sliced melon piece is to wrap the cut end in plastic and place it in the refrigerator for up to a week. The plastic serves two purposes: it keeps the melon’s flesh moist and stops it from absorbing flavours or aromas from other items in the refrigerator.
For Small Pieces of Watermelon
After the watermelon has been cut and cubed, put anything you won’t be eating right away in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Eaten within three to four days of being sliced, watermelon chunks are at their best. When a watermelon is cut, the juice gently seeps out of the flesh along with the characteristically sweet flavour.
Advice for Extended Storage
The freezer is the best place to store chopped melon if you have extra that you won’t eat for five to seven days. Melon pieces should be peeled, cut into pieces, and then placed in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until frozen. Keep in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to six months.
When thawed, the flesh will be softer than fresh melon, making it less enjoyable to eat. However, frozen watermelon is excellent for use in drinks, ice cream, smoothies, and Popsicles.
According to the Watermelon Board, an entire watermelon should be refrigerated at 55 degrees. Don’t freak out if your watermelon is ripe and you don’t have time to consume it. Don’t, however, cut either. Put the entire watermelon in the refrigerator, which will remain fresh for two to three weeks.
Should Watermelon be Stored in the Refrigerator?
Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew for optimum flavour on the counter. According to USDA studies, storing items at ambient temperature may help the antioxidants stay more intact. After cutting, keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
At room temperature, whole watermelons last roughly a week; in the refrigerator, they last about two weeks. Cut watermelon will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days. Make sure it is well-wrapped to prevent drying.
How do you know if a Watermelon is Bad?
Even if the fruit’s exterior appears to be in good condition, it can have spoiled. The simplest method is to look for any wet areas or patches of greenish-blue, black, or white mould on the skin. Throw away any flesh that has obvious black stains or is covered with anything slimy.
Is it Okay to Eat a Watermelon that is Foaming?
It’s conceivable that watermelon is already beginning to deteriorate if “foaming” is seen in the fruit. The CFS cautions the public against eating watermelon that is “foaming” and appears of questionable quality (e.g. off an odour).
Why can’t you Eat a Watermelon’s White Part?
Because you’re discarding the rind, that is. It is real. In addition to being edible, the rind—the white portion of the fruit sandwiched between the rough green skin and the pink flesh—is a rich source of nutrients that aren’t present in the flesh of the watermelon. It’s practically like getting two fruits in one!
Conclusion
Watermelons are harvested when fully mature to prevent further ripening and soften at room temperature. Melons that are harvested before their prime never develop their full flavour. A full watermelon can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a week or two. Use cut watermelon within three to five days after refrigeration and plastic-wrapping it. Watermelon can also be chopped and frozen, but when it thaws, the texture will be mushy (which is fine for cold soups and smoothies).
