You’ve put a cantaloupe in the freezer for a couple of days. Then you’re wondering– how long does cantaloupe last, and how can you identify if it is bad?
You’re a first-time purchaser and aren’t certain whether you should just keep this melon on the counter or keep it refrigerated.
Whatever you are, the following article is perfect for you. In this article, I am going to discuss the storage time and methods and whether there is any need to refrigerate it. Besides, I would let you know when your cantaloupe has reached its peak.
It is difficult to determine if the product you are using is spoiled. If you’d like more information the more details about one of these subjects, continue reading.
How Long Does Cantaloupe Last?
The whole cantaloupe can be stored for 5 to 7 days once it is at room temperature, and up to 3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. If the fruit isn’t fully ripe, it can be stored for another 5-10 days at the counter. When you slice this cantaloupe fruit, it can last around 4 to five days in the refrigerator.
Cantaloupe is among the fruits that self-picks (it will begin to break off from the vine once it’s mature).
Cantaloupe melons that are intended for export are typically removed out of the plant earlier to ensure they remain solid and can be transported in good condition.
In this case, the fact that you’re buying cantaloupe in winter, or import the fruit which may not be fully ripe, and will require some time on the counter in order to attain its highest quality.
Tips to remember
To determine whether your cantaloupe is mature, look at your stem’s end. When it’s “dimpled,” it’s been harvested maturely. If the stem with wood remains connected, the fruit was removed from the vine.
Okay, it might be helpful to find out whether your cantaloupe is mature already, or not?
The cantaloupe is now ripe and ready to be eaten when the flower’s end (not at the end of the stem) is a little soft. Secondly, the skin between the nettings changed from yellow to green. Thirdly, the fruit has a distinctive sweet scent.
If at the very least one of these is the case, your cantaloupe is likely to be ready. If neither of them is true allow the fruit to sit at the counter till mature. It typically takes 5 and 10 days dependent on how long the fruit was in the store.
Tips to remember
A cantaloupe that is mature is sweeter and softer than a cantaloupe that isn’t. If you’ve ever had one which was dry or to be quite hard, it was not mature.
How to Store Cantaloupe
A cantaloupe that isn’t ripe will ripen best on a counter. When it’s ready you can keep it in the room or store it in a refrigerator, based upon when you’ll be eating it. Cut-up cantaloupes require an airtight bag or container and should be stored in the refrigerator.
If your cantaloupe hasn’t reached its ripeness yet, place it in the refrigerator or on top of a bowl until it becomes ripe. It’s not dangerous to eat it when it’s unripe but the quality will not be as great.
After the fruit has reached its peak and the fruit is ripe, you will have a decision to make.
The counter is acceptable if you’ll eat it within the next few days. Additionally, since melons are typically very large, they don’t require much space in the refrigerator.
However, if you don’t make any plans, and you think that you’ll be able to finish the item “one day”, put it in the fridge.
If you want to refrigerate the whole cantaloupe put it in a plastic bag. This will stop the scent of the fruit from being absorbed into other food items.
After cutting the fruit, wrap it up tightly in an airtight container, or in a container made of plastic (if you’ve cut it into dices).
If you’ve only halved or cut the fruit in quarters, don’t take out the seeds. They’ll help to retain the moisture longer.
How To Tell If Cantaloupe is Bad?
Don’t throw away cantaloupes that feel hollow, light, or super soft. If the melon appears empty inside, or the rind feels soft the melon has lost most of its water, and that’s not good.
Large bruises or areas that are discolored. It is possible to cut off smaller areas that are damaged If a quarter of the rind has turned brown then it’s time to be removed.
Take a sniff. If the scent isn’t pleasant and sweet instead, it’s bitter or pungent, you should get rid of it.
Maybe the cantaloupe has been cut up and stored in the fridge for too long or become too stale or are. If the cantaloupe portion is kept in the fridge for about an entire week, it’s time to be removed. The same applies if you observe any indications of mold on the bag or container.
The cantaloupe’s rind is black with a black spot.
The rind of the cantaloupe is black with a dark spot Make sure to check the area beneath before cutting.
Certain of the above points aren’t necessarily cut and dry, however, they are depending on your sense of judgement. In those cases, you should go with your intuition.
If it says that it’s only slightly less soft than the norm, and is perfectly okay in other ways, then feel at ease eating it. If the scent is odd and you’d prefer to not eat the fruit is fine to shred it.
In the end, if you notice that the rind is beginning to soften, then the fruit is getting overripe, and the perfect time to act on it is right now. It is possible to consume it that next day, or cut it into pieces and store it in a refrigerator, then consume it within one day or two.
Can you freeze Cantaloupe?
It’s true. Freezing cantaloupe can be a certain way to prolong its shelf-life. But, like any frozen product its texture, appearance and texture could appear slightly different once you place it inside the freezer.
The color of the fruit may also change to a more dull shade of orange and will not be as hard as it was previously. If you plan to consume frozen cantaloupe by itself it is recommended to make it so while it’s partially frozen.
It is also possible to freeze cantaloupe after it has been defrosted. However, it’s not recommended because it could alter the texture and flavor.
But, no matter if you are using it to make smoothies or fruit salads or desserts, cantaloupe frozen is still delicious and preserves its distinctively sweet taste.
How long will Cantaloupe last within the Freezer?
Cantaloupe remains frozen fresh for as long as one year. When it comes to cantaloupe that is not frozen, it will begin to turn brown within two weeks or after a week if you’ve cut the fruit open.
Even after a year has gone by the cantaloupe that is frozen will be safe to eat. But be mindful that quality may diminish over time.
How to Make Use Of Cantaloupe
Create an amazing smoothie that includes strawberries, cantaloupe and bananas. Enjoy yourself with an easy and healthy snack.
To enjoy a tasty, high-protein snack, add sliced or pureed cantaloupe into an ice cream bowl.
A bowl of cantaloupe puree is the perfect summertime snack for toddlers and babies.
Are you running out of frozen ice cubes? A few pieces of frozen cantaloupe placed in the glass of water will cool your drink and provide the slightest hint of flavor.
Add some cantaloupe slices to the salad to give it an unusual and sweet twist.
For a fun and colorful snack during parties, mix cantaloupe, watermelon as well as honeydew, on wooden skewers.
Wrap prosciutto strips around pieces of cantaloupe to create an impressive party snack.
Related Questions Answers
What happens when you eat the cantaloupe that has gone bad?
The bacteria have a lengthy incubation period, meaning that it could be as long as four weeks for those who have eaten cantaloupe that has been contaminated to develop symptoms of illness. It is typically accompanied by muscular aches and fevers that are sometimes followed by diarrhea or other digestive symptoms.
Can cantaloupe be refrigerated following cutting?
Do not keep the cantaloupe outside at room temperature for more than four days. When it is ripe or cut the melon needs to be chilled and eaten within 2 days.
Why is my cantaloupe tasting sweet and fizzy?
Fizzy because of gas formation. Cantaloupe generally does not taste fizzy. Cantaloupe is a source of sugar, including sucrose, fructose, glucose and glucose when it is ready to be eaten. Gas may also be formed in the cantaloupe which isn’t cut when the skin is damaged by which bacteria can enter.
Will cantaloupe begin to ripen once it has been cut?
Cantaloupe is not ripe after being cut open. If you cut your melon open and find that it’s unripe, there’s no way to save it. Therefore, you need to ensure that the cantaloupe has reached its peak before you cut it.
Is it okay to consume cantaloupe that is overripe?
Can I Cconsume overripe cantaloupe? Because they’re moist, older cantaloupes are excellent for smoothies as well as cold soups, much like the older watermelon. They can also be used to make jams, salsas and even desserts. There’s no reason not to just take a scoop of cantaloupe and enjoy it straightway.
How do you remove mold from cantaloupe?
The most typical characteristic of a bad cantaloupe has an extremely soft appearance and a heightened appearance of bruises, which indicates an overripe fruit. The possibility of mold is also present in a whole melon and must be avoided. If you notice any mold, make sure you remove that area plus an additional 1-2 inches across every inch.
Why does my cantaloupe smell like alcohol?
If there’s the scent of sweet and slightly musky, it’s the evidence of a high-quality cantaloupe. If you detect a smell like a nail polish remover or alcohol, the cantaloupe is fermenting and close to going extremely, very bad.
Does slimy cantaloupe make you sick?
Although the container is sealed, it has stopped the fruit from becoming slimy or forming mold, the fruit may be a bit sour and can cause you to become sick. If you try the fruit and find it is tart or fizzy take it away and throw the rest away.
Can you freeze cantaloupe?
A few people blend cantaloupe prior to freezing it, then freeze it in an ice cube tray and then pack the cubes of cantaloupe in freezer bags. It is also possible to freeze cantaloupe cubes with honeydew and watermelon, to make a delicious fruit compote. To get the best flavor, consume the watermelon that has been frozen, either in chunks or as puree, within twelve months.
How do you get a ripe cantaloupe after it has been cut?
Put the fruit into the brown bag, which is then closed on top to allow the melon to mature faster to be eaten. After you’ve cut the cantaloupe, it should be refrigerated. This slows the process of softening further.
Do you wash the cantaloupe before cutting?
Wash your cantaloupe. By scratching the exterior of the fruit using soap that is antibacterial, you will be able to eliminate unhealthy bacteria off the skin prior to you cut it into pieces. Cleaning the rind is an easy step, but it could make all the difference. It is a fact that cantaloupe can grow bacteria quickly and may get rotten if kept at temperatures that are not at room temperature.
Can you put cantaloupe in the fridge?
Make sure to keep whole melons such as honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon at hand for the maximum taste. USDA research suggests that keeping the melons at room temperature may aid in keeping the antioxidants in good condition. After cutting, keep them within the fridge for 3-4 days.
How can you store the cantaloupe prior to cutting it?
Let a ripe but not quite ready cantaloupe mature at temperatures at room temperature for about two Days (keeping them in a tightly sealed paper bag can help speed this process). Refrigerate a whole fruit for up to 5 days. To cut the cantaloupe wedges place them on a tray and chill for 3 to 5 days.
What happens when you eat old cantaloupe?
A rotten cantaloupe is sour both inside and outside. If it’s still intact it will develop small bruises and soft spots that get more noticeable. The whole melon becomes soft and eventually fails to maintain its shape. It is possible to see liquid spilling through the rind and the cantaloupe emits an unpleasant smell.
Wrapping up
I suppose I have, in this longish post, figured out the answer to the question, ” how long does cantaloupe last?’ and also talked about the cantaloupe storage and whether you can freeze it or not.
It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh or frozen from the store, cantaloupe is a melon that is full of flavors, nutrients and options. If you now know how to freeze cantaloupe effectively and have a few tricks and recipes in your bag, it’s simpler than ever to include these tasty fruits in your diet!
