Our Test Kitchen has the complete Citrullus vulgaris timeline .
Summer does n’t quite finger like summertime until we ’ve savored a bit from a sweet , juicy wedge of watermelon vine . As much as we turn over this one of our favorite seasonal fruits — and even though we adore and frequently make these sweet and savorywatermelon formula — we find it scare to make our way through the entire melon before it is past its heyday .
The mediocre big watermelon pin clover in at about 20 pounds . Whether it is seeded or seedless ; red oryellow , 70 % of the medium watermelon is flesh , and the other 30 % is rind . ( All of this is eatable — yes , include therind ! ) Each hammer of watermelon is the equivalent weight of about 1 ½ cups of regular hexahedron . So your 20 - pound watermelon with 14 pounds of figure will bequeath you with 21 cupful of fresh yield to use .
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Once awatermelon is harvest , it does n’t ripen any further and it has a 3 to 4 week shelf life , according to theNational Watermelon Promotion Board . But that ’s when it is whole , so how long does a cut watermelon last ? Our Test Kitchen has solvent so you know how quickly you need to pluck through that haulage .
How to Select and Store Watermelon
If you ’re seek for thebest watermelon , look for fruit that :
The ideal temperature for salt away whole watermelons is around 55 ° F , the National Watermelon Promotion Board confirms . This is warm than the icebox or aroot cellar , Brekke adds , making it a unparalleled intellectual nourishment warehousing challenge .
“ Most people do n’t have an area of the home that is that temperature , so we ’d suggest finding a nerveless , dry surface area such as a cellar or cool garage depending on the clip of yr to store the melon vine if it wo n’t be consumed right by , ” Brekke advise .
A whole watermelon can be lay in at or around room temperature for 7 to 10 sidereal day , but for the fresh and sweetest smack , the sooner you could savour the watermelon the better .
“ Because we ca n’t be sure of how long buy slashed watermelon has been on the shelf , it ’s better to err on the side of circumspection and consume within a few sidereal day of leverage , if potential , ” Brekke enunciate .
When you ’re ready to bask your first few morsel , dampen the rindunder cool water , thencut the watermeloninto wedges , joystick , cubes , balls , or “ fries . " Transfer the fruit to an airtight food storage container . Store reduce watermelon in the depressed - humiditycrisper drawerin the refrigerator ( or on a shelf , if your appliance does n’t have pants — or have space inside them ) .
How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last?
Exposure to atomic number 8 lead to the more speedy partitioning of the fruit , so the clock really take off tick once you ’ve slit it . piece of watermelon will last in the refrigerator for at least 3 day to 5 Clarence Day or so , Brekke and theNational Watermelon Promotion Boardagree .
What ’s up with that time compass for how long cut watermelon last ? The life-time of cut watermelon vary found on a couple factor :
big pieces of Citrullus vulgaris , such as quarter or wedge , be given to last slimly longer than bite - sized pieces since smaller portions have more surface field that ’s not only open to more oxygen , but is also more likely to give up the hydrate juice to seep out .
Once you ’ve cut the yield , put it to delicious use in introduction likeGrilled Chicken with Watermelon Glaze , Watermelon Soup with Fresh Mint , orWatermelon Margaritas .
If you do n’t think you could make it through all 21 cups of the refreshing fruit within 5 days , consider make a batch ofwatermelon juiceor freezing the watermelon vine .
