Overripe Cantaloupe Texture Just like watermelons, cantaloupes start turning mushy and a little grainy when overripe. They’re very tender when perfectly ripe, turning seriously soft as they continue to mature. Unlike watermelons, which get dried out over time, cantaloupes get juicier as they age.
Is it safe to eat mushy cantaloupe?
Discard cantaloupes that: What is this? Feel light, hollow, or super soft. If the melon seems empty inside or the rind is soft, it’s lost most of its water and it’s no good.
What does it mean if the cantaloupe is mushy?
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.
Can an overripe cantaloupe make you sick?
Tip. High levels of the fruit sugar fructose in overripe fruits can cause digestive upset for sensitive people.
How can you tell if 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.
Why is my melon mushy?
A mushy watermelon is due to air exposure inside the watermelon. If your watermelon is slimy, mushy, or discolored, toss it.
What do you do with a mushy melon?
Overripe melons have a lot of flavor and can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them in savory dishes such as melon rillettes, melon gazpacho, and melon carpaccio, or in sweet dishes such as melon bread pudding, melon ice cream, and melon sorbet.
What does overripe cantaloupe taste like?
A ripe cantaloupe can only be described as deliciously sweet, juicy, and tender. If you bite into a sour cantaloupe, it is usually spoiling, fermenting, or unripe. If your cantaloupe is fermenting, you may experience a slight fizziness in your mouth and an astringent, sour smell and taste.
Is cantaloupe soft when ripe?
The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard. Smell the melon at the stem core (where it was cut) and it should have a good cantaloupe smell; those without smell are under-ripe, and those with unpleasing odor are over-ripe.
How long does an uncut cantaloupe stay good in the fridge?
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. The picture gets somewhat bleaker once you’ve sliced into your fruit.
What are the first signs of listeria?
The symptoms vary with the infected person: Higher-risk people other than pregnant women: Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only fever, and other non-specific symptoms like chills and headache.
How does cantaloupe get Listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in water and soil. Officials speculate that the cantaloupes were contaminated by irrigation water or a heavy rainstorm. The cantaloupe’s textured skin can trap and hold bacteria it picks up during growing, harvesting, packing, storage, transport, and distribution.
Can cantaloupe give you salmonella?
Unlike other fruits, cantaloupe are not acidic and readily support the growth of pathogens once they are sliced open. Outbreaks of illness linked to melons contaminated with Salmonella are an unfortunate occurrence each year.
Should cantaloupe be refrigerated after cutting?
Melon: Melons, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew, should be kept at room temperature until you cut into them to ensure they have the best flavor. Once they’ve been cut into, store them in the refrigerator and be sure to eat within four days.
Can you eat mushy melon?
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.
Can you get sick from overripe melon?
Sometimes spoiled watermelon looks and smells fine. This is often the case with cut melon that’s been sitting in a container in your fridge for a week or so. 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.
Why are my melons rotting?
Soil that inconsistently fluctuates from moist to dried out during any stage of development of the melon flower or fruit may result in melon blossom end rot. Varying moisture levels causes uneven uptake of calcium, which causes blossom end rot in melons, tomatoes and some other fruits and vegetables.
What can I do with mushy fruit?
What to Do with Overripe Fruit Like Peaches, Cherries & More
- Make a small batch of jam.
- Make a quick bread.
- Bake a crumble, cobbler, or crisp.
- Freeze that fruit for future smoothies.
- Slow-cook a chunky sauce for pancakes or sundaes.
- Use as a topping for grilled meats and fish.
- Make a salad dressing.
How do you keep melons from rotting?
Elevate the fruit above the soil to prevent bottom rot. Use a fluffy layer of straw or wood chips under the fruit to increase airflow and reduce contact with the soil. Or try melon and squash cradles that elevate the fruit above the ground to prevent rot and promote even ripening.
How do I make my melon better?
The salt brings out what little flavor a bad melon has and compensates for any lack of sweetness. It works, truly—trust me. Since, I’ve introduced this idea to the office, and it turns out there are even other ways to gussy up an otherwise drab melon. Some swear by a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice.
How do you check for a good cantaloupe?
The best way to pick a cantaloupe is by smell. The fruit should have a sweet, slightly musky scent. A good cantaloupe feels heavy for its size, has a rind that resembles raised netting, and has a stem end that yields slightly when pressed with your thumb.