How Long Does Watermelon Last?: A slice of watermelon or a glass of watermelon juice is the perfect way to beat the heat. Its’ sweet and juicy texture is sure to make everyone’s mouth water in no time!
But, have you been way too excited about a fruit sale and purchased one too many watermelons? It is only after we come home that we realize that there is no way that we could eat all these watermelons in one day. If you have ever been in this situation, this is the perfect article for you.
Continue reading to learn how long does watermelon last, how to store your watermelons safely so they don’t spoil, whether you can freeze your watermelons, and how to recognize the signs of a rotten watermelon.
- Can Watermelon Go Bad?
- How Long Does Watermelon Last?
- How to Store Watermelon?
- Can You Freeze Watermelon?
- Signs of a Bad Watermelon
- Interesting Facts About Watermelons
- How long is watermelon good in the fridge?
- How long does cut watermelon last?
- Is watermelon still good after 2 weeks?
- How to store cut watermelon?
Can Watermelon Go Bad?
All fruits go bad at some point, and watermelons are unfortunately not an exception. They will usually go bad quickly if they are cut and kept outside. But, you can extend their shelf lives a little, by popping them in the fridge.
It is best not to take a chance if you suspect that your watermelons have gone bad. In this case, you can just toss the spoiled watermelons out, so you do not get sick from eating them.
How Long Does Watermelon Last?
Well, how long your watermelon lasts depends on whether it is a cut or whole. This factor significantly changes the shelf life of your watermelons. Take a look at the table below to get a better idea of the shelf life of watermelons.
The whole watermelons stay fresh for much longer than cut watermelons. If a whole watermelon is kept in the pantry or outside at room temperature, then it is likely to last for about a week. But if it is stored in the refrigerator, then it will last for around 10 to 14 days.
If you have sliced pieces of watermelon, then they can only last a day at best, in the pantry at room temperature. But if they are refrigerated, then they can last up to 3 to 5 days.
Keep in mind that these are not the exact time periods and that these numbers can vary with each watermelon.
| Watermelon | Room temperature | Fridge | Freezer |
| Whole | 7 to 10 days | 3 weeks | One year |
| Cut | One day | 4 to 5 days | 10 to 12 months |
How to Store Watermelon?
If you want to store a whole watermelon, then it is pretty easy. Simply pop them into the refrigerator, or any other dark and cool place. This is because the presence of heat can make the watermelon go bad quickly.
On the other hand, cut watermelons require more protection. The best way to store them safely is to use plastic or saran wrap, or even aluminium foil. Otherwise, you may also place them into any freezer-safe bags or airtight containers, and set them in the fridge. If you are opting for plastic or aluminium wrap, remember to wrap the watermelon tightly. This is to prevent the fruit from drying up and absorbing any unpleasant smells from the refrigerator.
Also, Refer
Can You Freeze Watermelon?
Want to make your watermelons last longer? Well, all you need to do is pop them into the freezer. But you must know that since the fruit is made up of approximately 91% water, it tends to not freeze as well as you’d hoped. Because of this, thawed watermelon does not carry the same beloved sweetness and texture that raw watermelon has.
However, frozen watermelon cubes are preferred for watermelon-infused water, beverages, and smoothies. This is because these drinks just use frozen watermelon, instead of thawing it beforehand.
Wanna learn how to freeze watermelon? Just follow the steps below to do so.
- First, cut the watermelon into small bite-sized pieces, and remove the skin and the seeds from them.
- Then, line a cookie sheet with either aluminium foil or wax paper and place the watermelon pieces onto the sheet.
- Pop the sheet into the freezer and wait for a few hours until the pieces are frozen.
- Then, take them out of the freezer and put them into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. After this, place the bags back into the freezer.
By using this method, you can preserve your watermelons for a couple of months. If you want to thaw these frozen watermelon cubes, simply move them to the fridge and wait overnight.
Signs of a Bad Watermelon
- Feels light, hollow, or soft: If a watermelon feels like any of these three things, then it is usually a sign that it is spoiled because the lack of weight can mean the absence of water. Fresh watermelons are firm and heavy due to the water in them.
- Exterior has bruises, mold, or discoloration: Bruises and discoloration don’t always mean a bad watermelon, but if they are big and very noticeable, then it is definitely an indication that the fruit has gone bad. But remember that you can always cut around the bruises and spots if they are minor, and still eat the rest of the watermelon.
- Flesh is very dry or slimy: If the watermelon is slimy or appears to be dry, then you should definitely discard it since it means that the watermelon does not have any water remaining.
- Unpleasant or sour smell: A good watermelon must smell fresh and sweet. So if you smell a bad odor from it, then it probably means that it has spoiled.
- Sliced and stored for over 5 days: Cut watermelon can last a maximum of 5 days in the fridge, so beyond that, it is best to discard it since there is a possibility that it has gone bad.
These are just a few of the many indicators of a spoiled watermelon, so we advise you to always follow your instincts when it comes to preserving watermelons.
Interesting Facts About Watermelons
Want to learn a bit more about watermelons, and their health benefits? Look no further.
- The watermelon is made up of nearly 91% water! So, it is very hydrating for your body.
- The first harvest of watermelon was recorded in Egypt, almost 5000 years ago.
- It is rich in the antioxidant, lycopene, which also gives the watermelon its red tinge.
- It has a lot of citrullines, an amino acid that helps maintain the function of your heart by lowering blood pressure and moving blood through the system.
- It has beta-cryptoxanthin, a natural pigment that safeguards your joints by reducing inflammation.
- It has Vitamin A, which is helpful for maintaining the health of your eyes, and it keeps your skin become softer.
FAQs on How Long Does Watermelon Last
1. How long is watermelon good in the fridge?
The watermelon is good for about 2 weeks in the fridge.
2. How long does cut watermelon last?
Cut watermelon lasts about a day outside, and 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
3. Is watermelon still good after 2 weeks?
A whole watermelon stays good for 1 week at room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
4. How to store cut watermelon?
Simply wrap the pieces tightly in either aluminium foil or plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge.
In a Nutshell
Basically, we have learned that the shelf life of a watermelon depends on whether it is whole or cut. Whole watermelons last longer than cut watermelons, and you can maximize their shelf life by freezing them as small pieces. Always use some sort of wrap or airtight containers to preserve the watermelons, so they don’t get spoiled. If you are interested in many more topics like this, then we urge you to visit Canfoodgobad.com for riveting information!