In this brief guide, we will answer the question “how to know if a cantaloupe is spoiled?” with an in-depth analysis of the indicators of spoiled cantaloupe. Moreover, we will also discuss the nutritional facts of cantaloupe and its shelf life.
How to know if a cantaloupe is spoiled?
Following are some of the indications about spoiled cantaloupe.
- Texture
- Color
- Smell
- Mold
- Firmness
Texture:
Fresh cantaloupe is a relatively little bit firm in texture. It is also more creamy comparatively.
Moreover, its peel is pale yellow. The spoiled cantaloupe looks hollow, light, and soft.
If cantaloupe looks empty and its skin becomes fragile it means that the cantaloupe lost enough water and it is not edible.
Color:
Fresh cantaloupe is a blend of orange and brown colors. But the spoiled cantaloupe can change its color and become brown from the inside.
You can easily recognize the color change when you cut the cantaloupe. So this sign is very helpful in finding whether the cantaloupe is spoiled or not.
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Smell:
Fresh cantaloupe has a sweet, amazing, and creamy smell. Comparatively, spoiled cantaloupe gives a sour and bad smell.
So one of the easiest indications is the pungent smell. When you cut cantaloupe. In this way, you can easily detect whether the cantaloupe is spoiled or not.
Mold:
Old cantaloupe has mold on it. The disadvantage of molds is they make the cantaloupe soft and give a brown color. The outer side of the cantaloupe. Bacterial spores and fungi are responsible for mold formation.
When they attack the cantaloupe, mold begins to grow on the interior, turning the cantaloupe gray or green.
Firmness:
Even if the cantaloupe is solid, any flowing juices or wrinkle structure mean it is no longer edible. Look for creases, juice leaks, or other damage where the stem was attached to the cantaloupe.
Food-borne bacteria can be produced by damaged stem area. As a result, we should exercise caution before purchasing it.
What is the nutritional value of cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is mostly water, as are many fruits and vegetables. Fresh cantaloupe pieces have 144 calories, 6% of your necessary fiber serving, and no fat or cholesterol
Cantaloupe is a rich source of vitamin C. And it provides the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, vitamin C is a significant antioxidant and defends our cells from certain damage. It aids in the health of your eyes, skin, bones, and immune system in addition to our daily vitamin A requirements.
What are the benefits of cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is relatively low in carbohydrates which has a watermelon-like consistency. Cantaloupe does not increase your blood sugar level immediately.
Because your body digests it gradually. Moreover, it is low in glycemic load like 4. So it is a good healthy choice for diabetic patients.
What kind of vitamins and minerals are present in cantaloupe?
Following are some of the essential vitamins and minerals present in cantaloupe and it is also very important to maintain good health and prevent certain types of diseases.
:
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iron
- Vitamin K
- Niacin
- Choline
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Manganese
- Selenium
How long is cut-up cantaloupe good for?
The shelf life of cantaloupe or honeydew is just three to four days, while the shelf life of watermelon is also three to four days.
Is it good to refrigerate a cantaloupe after cutting it?
To save the cut cantaloupe it is good to place the cut cantaloupe into a brown paper bag and roll closed at the top. This will help to ripen a cantaloupe faster.
What happens if you eat spoiled cantaloupe?
The bacteria present in spoiled cantaloupe have a long incubation period. After the consumption of bad cantaloupe, the symptoms appear after a long time. People feel ill after almost 4 weeks when they consume contaminated cantaloupe.
Following are some of the symptoms of listeriosis.
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Diarrhea
Should you wash cantaloupe before cutting?
Yes, it is a good practice and you can remove bacteria from cantaloupe by washing the exterior part of the cantaloupe with the help of antibacterial soap. Just scrub over it. In this way, you can remove the dangerous bacteria from it before cutting into it.
This means that cantaloupe grows bacteria easily and can spoil when left at room temperature. If a chopped melon is left out for more than two hours, it should be discarded.
Can you keep chopped cantaloupe in the fridge for a long time?
To maximize the shelf life of cut cantaloupe, refrigerate in a covered container or resealable plastic bag.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how to know if a cantaloupe is spoiled?” with an in-depth analysis of the indicators of spoiled cantaloupe. Moreover, we discussed the nutritional facts of cantaloupe and its shelf life.