How to Store. 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.
How do you keep cantaloupe fresh longer?
The optimal relative humidity is 95 to 100 percent, which prevents drying. If possible, place cantaloupe in the refrigerator crisper, where the humidity tends to be higher. Under these conditions, freshly harvested cantaloupe, picked at full slip, lasts about 5 to 15 days, depending on variety and growing conditions.
Should I put my cantaloupe in the fridge?
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.
How long will cantaloupe last in the refrigerator?
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.
How do you make cantaloupe sweeter?
Heat brings out melons’ sweetness, so make sure to plant them in a location that warms up early in spring and stays hot through the end of September. The south side of a fence or wall is ideal as the structure will absorb heat and light from the sun and reflect it back onto the melons.
How can you tell when a cantaloupe is ripe and sweet?
The first signal that a cantaloupe (or a muskmelon) is getting ripe is the color under the netting of the fruit changes from green to tan. A ripe cantaloupe also tends to have a pleasant aroma. Finally, check the spot at top of the melon where it attaches to the vine.
Should you wash cantaloupe?
Foodborne illness prevention
Wash your cantaloupe: By scrubbing the exterior of the fruit with antibacterial soap, you can remove harmful bacteria from the rind before you cut into it. Washing the rind is a simple step, but it can make all the difference.
How long is cantaloupe good for on the counter?
about 5 to 7 days
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. Once you cut up the cantaloupe, it lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Can you leave cut cantaloupe out to ripen?
Cantaloupe will not ripen after it has been cut open, so if you cut open your melon and discover that it is still unripe, there is nothing you can do to salvage it. As such, you must be very certain that the cantaloupe is ripe before cutting into it.
Can you cut mold off cantaloupe?
“According to the USDA, soft fruits and vegetables with high moisture content, such as an orange, can be contaminated below the surface. Such fruits and vegetables should be discarded in their entirety if moldy.
How do you know when cut cantaloupe is 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 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 can I add to cantaloupe to make it taste better?
Watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews lean sweet—and that’s why they play so well with salt, vinegar, and cheese. Sweet, ripe, summer melons are better with salt. Salt makes their flavor pop. It contrasts their sweetness and accentuates their refreshing qualities.
Will a cantaloupe ripen on the counter?
For the consumer, this means watermelon and similar fruit can be eaten as soon as you bring it home no matter what time of the year it is. However, cantaloupe and similar melons bought in winter probably need to be held at room temperature for a few days or more to allow it to improve.
What do you eat cantaloupe with?
For a heartier take on this fresh summer pairing, try Food Network Magazine’s Glazed Hens with Cucumber-Cantaloupe Salad.
- Cantaloupe + Prosciutto. Prosciutto-wrapped honeydew is a common summer appetizer, and adding in cantaloupe offers a fun twist on the usual.
- Cantaloupe + Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Cantaloupe + Spiced Nuts.
Can dogs eat cantaloupe?
So, can dogs eat cantaloupe? Yes, in moderation. The tasty melon is safe for pups and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight. Even the seeds are harmless, but you should avoid feeding them to your dog intentionally, as they can be a choking hazard.
Can you ripen a melon in the microwave?
Exposing unripe fruit to ripe fruit increases the unripe fruit’s exposure to ethylene gas to speed up the process. Combining ethylene gas with the heat from a microwave helps kickstart the process.
Do you have to wash cantaloupe before cutting?
Many of the illnesses have been associated with cantaloupe consumption. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting melons. Before cutting, wash the outer surface of the melon thoroughly with cool tap water to remove surface dirt; scrub with a clean produce brush.
How long does uncut cantaloupe last at room temperature?
Cantaloupe will generally keep well at room temperature for about 1 to 2 days. To extend the shelf life of cantaloupe, refrigerate in a plastic bag.
Why is my cantaloupe mushy?
It’s terrible if it’s brown or has mold on it. The cantaloupe’s skin should be thick and heavy, and the flesh should be soft and mushy. If the cantaloupe isn’t fully ripe, toss it out. It’s rotten and should be thrown out when it’s mushy.
What do white spots on cantaloupe mean?
Sometimes, the fruit is simply bruised or has developed a few patches but is perfectly safe to eat. Other times, patches that appear on fruit, and specifically white patches on cantaloupe, can mean that the fruit is growing mold and probably shouldn’t be eaten.