Often, brownness inside a watermelon is the result of something called rind necrosis, and this causes discolored patches on the inside of the melon’s rind. These don’t tend to spread to the part you eat, but they can be off-putting nonetheless.
How do you know if a watermelon is bad on the inside?
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 is the brown on watermelon?
Watermelon rind necrosis
Watermelon rind necrosis is characterized by the presence of a corky, red to brown layer of dead tissue that occurs on the inside of the rind of affected fruit but that does not extend into the fruit flesh. Early stages of rind necrosis can be noticed as small discolored water soaked areas in the rind.
How can you tell if cut watermelon is bad?
Examine the surface for any rotting or mold. If the skin has mold or black spots on it, it’s totally spoiled and should be discarded. Some pieces of the watermelon have indeed been eaten by bugs, resulting in red-brown patches. This is also a warning that the watermelon has gone rotten.
How can you tell if a watermelon is overripe?
Consumers who still want to thump the watermelon should listen closely when their finger flicks the fruit. “An unripe watermelon will ‘ping’ when thumped. An overripe watermelon will ‘thud. ‘ The one you want to buy is somewhere in between,” Egel said.
What does spoiled watermelon look like?
The easiest way to tell is to check the skin for any soggy spots and patches of greenish-blue, black, or white mold. 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.
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 can you tell if a watermelon is good?
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.
Can you eat watermelon with bacterial rind necrosis?
“It’s strictly a cosmetic problem,” Egel says. Necrotic spots visible inside the rind of cut fruit don’t affect taste, Brix or shelf life, Paret says.
What are the common diseases of watermelon?
Watermelon: Diseases and Symptoms
- Downy mildew.
- Powdery mildew.
- Anthracnose.
- Alternaria leaf spot.
- Fusarium wilt.
- Bud necrosis disease.
- Cucumber mosaic disease.
- IPM for Watermelon.
Can watermelon give you salmonella?
A Salmonella outbreak in Norway with almost 20 people sick has been linked to watermelon. Folkehelseinstituttet (FHI) reported that of 13 ill people interviewed so far, all of them ate watermelon in the days before becoming sick.
How long do cut watermelon last in fridge?
three to five days
You should, however, definitely refrigerate a watermelon once you slice into it. That’s because the fruit’s shelf-life shortens dramatically once you cut it. According to the NWPB, you’ve only got three to five days to make the most of those watermelons slices.
How long can you keep cut watermelon in the fridge?
three to four days
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.
What color is the inside of a watermelon?
The inside, if you’re looking at a cut watermelon section, should be bright pink or red with a thick, pale rind. An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink.
What should the inside of a watermelon look like?
Watermelon should have dark and light green alternating colors on the outside and a dark pink reddish inside when it is fresh. If the inside color looks dull you may want to check the other signs as well. Any signs of mold inside or outside are indicators that you should not eat it.
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.
Can watermelon make you sick?
If you eat an abundance of the fruit daily, however, you may experience problems from having too much lycopene or potassium. The consumption of more than 30 mg of lycopene daily could potentially cause nausea, diarrhea, indigestion and bloating, according to the American Cancer Society (opens in new tab).
Should you refrigerate watermelon?
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.
What does rotten watermelon smell like?
You want to look for a watermelon that has a sweet, pleasant smell. If it smells tangy or sour, don’t buy it as it is already spoiled.
How long does an uncut watermelon last?
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.
What can I do with an overripe watermelon?
Another good use of overripe melon is turning it into cold watermelon soup, thanks to the aid of a blender and some herbs. Seasoned with a mild hot sauce like Tobasco, it makes for a lovely light appetizer or summer lunch. You won’t even care that the melon you picked wasn’t the best.