How to Store Watermelon

Watermelon is a great low-calorie sweet treat with lots of nutrition. You probably already know that the whole watermelons in your grocery store will taste better longer than the pre-cut selections. But if you don’t have a big family or a party coming up, what can you do with a 20-pound watermelon which yields between 90 and 140 wedges? Melons can be stored uncut or cut for varying lengths of time and can even be frozen successfully. The right procedures will help protect their taste and nutritional value.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable brush
• Paper towels
• Plastic wrap
• Lidded containers
• Freezer containers

Instructions

Refrigerator

1. Store uncut watermelon at 55 degrees or above. Whole melons will keep for two weeks at 60 degrees, 7 to 10 days at average room temperature and up to a week in hot weather.

2. Place room-temperature melon in the refrigerator to cool it down before eating. It stores best fairly warm but tastes most refreshing cool.

3. Wash the outside of the melon thoroughly with running water, using a brush if necessary to remove dirt and other contaminants. Clean hands and brushes before washing fruit to prevent contamination with bacteria. Dry melon with paper towel.

4. Cover the cut surface of leftover melon with plastic wrap and refrigerate. You can use covered containers for smaller chunks of melon. Use within two days.

Freezer

1. Cut watermelon in half and remove seeds and rind.

2. Cut melon into slices, wedges or cubes.

3. Spread pieces single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm.

4. Transfer firm pieces to freezer containers or bags. Leave a half inch of headroom for expansion during freezing.

5. Thaw frozen melons in the refrigerator before use. Use within four days.

Tips & Warnings

• Frozen melons will keep for eight to twelve months at 0° F.

• Watermelon also can be frozen in juice or soda. Pack fruit in freezer containers; pour in orange juice, pineapple juice or ginger ale; seal and freeze.

• Keep an uncut melon out of the refrigerator until you’re almost ready to eat it. The USDA Agricultural Research Service has found that storing uncut watermelon at room temperature may double its carotene levels and increase lycopene levels up to 20 percent. This is because watermelons continue to ripen and build up antioxidants after they are picked, but chilling cuts off this process.

• Check your refrigerator temperature. Cut, unfrozen watermelon should be kept at 37° to 39° F. Colder temperatures may negatively affect flavor and color.

• Don’t exceed recommended storage times or your melons will lose flavor and texture.

Resources

• National Watermelon Promotion Board