Even if the exterior looks OK, there’s a chance that the fruit could have gone bad. If the flesh has noticeable dark spots or is covered in anything slimey, you should toss it. If it looks fine but has a sour or ~off~ smell, that’s another indication that this watermelon is no good.
Why does the watermelon taste sour?
If the watermelon is not kept in these ideal conditions during storage, transportation, or delivery, bacteria could grow and enter through small cracks in the rind. As this bacteria multiples, the fruit starts to spoil, and changes taste from sweet to bitter and sour.
How do you know if cut watermelon is bad?
If the flesh of your watermelon is slimy, off-colored, foul-smelling, or growing something fuzzy, this means it has gone bad and should be thrown away (after being wrapped in layers of plastic bags to avoid stinking up the whole kitchen). These traits also apply to pre-cut and pre-packaged watermelon.
What does it mean if melon is sour?
Typically, if your cantaloupe is sour, it is unripe and has not been allowed to develop its sweetness fully. Early harvesting or improper gardening techniques can leave you with a sour, crunchy cantaloupe melon.
Can you eat sour watermelon?
Though the sealed container has prevented the fruit from getting slimy or growing mold, the melon can still be bad, and could potentially make you sick. If you take a bite and the fruit is sour or fizzy, spit it out and chuck the rest.
Is watermelon supposed to be sour?
A healthy, edible watermelon should smell sweet and fresh. If it smells tangy or sour, it’s gone bad and should be thrown it away.
What does a bad watermelon taste like?
Watermelons are juicy, fresh, and tasty.
When you taste a melon, and the taste is sour, it has gone bad. This is because the sugars inside the melon have turned sour.
How long is watermelon good in fridge?
If you’re worried about your watermelon spoiling, you can pop the whole thing in the fridge; FreshDirect says that you can keep a whole watermelon in the fridge for up to three weeks, at best.
How long do cut watermelon last in fridge?
Once watermelon is cut and cubed, store anything you’re not eating right away in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cut watermelon pieces are at their best when eaten within three to four days of being cut.
Why does my melon taste like vinegar?
Because it’s started to go bad and has fermented slightly.
How do you tell if a watermelon is good or not?
If the watermelon is ripe, the field spot should be a large, yellow patch on one side of the melon. If it is ripe, the color should be a creamy, almost butter-like yellow. The bigger the yellow belly and the creamier the color means the more time the melon spent ripening on the vine.
Is overripe watermelon safe to eat?
Is Overripe Watermelon Safe to Eat? When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.
How long does it take for watermelon to go bad?
Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature. After two days at 32°F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture. Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored between 9-36°F.
How long is uncut watermelon good for?
two weeks
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.
Is watermelon sweet or sour?
Watermelon is a sweet, commonly consumed fruit of summer, usually as fresh slices, diced in mixed fruit salads, or as juice. Watermelon juice can be blended with other fruit juices or made into wine. The seeds have a nutty flavor and can be dried and roasted, or ground into flour.
What does unripe watermelon taste like?
Underripe watermelons are safe to eat, but they aren’t particularly enjoyable. Unripe melon tastes diluted and watery, instead of sweet.
Should watermelon be refrigerated?
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 bad watermelon give you food poisoning?
Fruits grown on the ground such as cantaloupe (rockmelon), watermelon and honeydew melon have a high risk of causing food poisoning due to Listeria bacteria, which can grow on the rind and spread to the flesh ( 35 ).
Can watermelon turn to vinegar?
It provides a method of producing watermelon vinegar, comprising the step of fermenting alcohol by adding yeast to the crushed watermelon and acetic acid fermentation by adding acetic acid bacteria to the alcoholic fermentation broth.
Can dogs have watermelon?
The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It’s also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
What does an overripe watermelon look like?
An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored. If there are any dark blotches, consider the melon over-ripe and choose another one.