When I think of summer, fresh, juicy wedges of sweet watermelon spring to mind. They really are the perfect fruit for a hot day, chopped into triangles to pick up and enjoy on their own as a refreshing treat or cut up into a recipe.
This blissful vision won't last long though if you don't know how to store watermelon to keep it crisp and sweet. I've sadly learned this the hard way, being met with mushy melon that's soured in flavor. Fear not, as learning how to save your summer salad ingredients isn't tricky.
I talked to professional gardeners and watermelon experts to learn the best tips and tricks out there for storing watermelon. If it wasn't your favorite fruit before, it might just take the top spot now.
How to store watermelon
Watermelons are such a quintessentially summer ingredient, so whether you're learning how to grow watermelon from scratch – something I'd love to try – or wondering how to preserve store-bought fruits, these tips and tricks will allow you enjoy them in their prime for as long as possible. I've certainly learnt a thing or two and hope this will help you to enjoy your watermelon at its best, too.
1. Don't break the cold chain
I've heard about not breaking the 'cold chain' for meat, dairy, and frozen foods – ie keeping them in their chilled or frozen state from store to door – but it also applies to some fruit. If you initially bought it from a refrigerated area of the grocery store, keeping it out of the fridge at home can severely alter its flavor.
The team at the National Watermelon Promotion Board explained to me why keeping cold chains is so important and what can happen if the chain breaks. 'If watermelon are received refrigerated do not break the cold chain, otherwise your watermelon can become pitted, lose color and flavor. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate above 32°Fahrenheit as spoiling will happen faster.'
If you buy your fruit and veg from a mix of stores and markets, it's a good idea to clearly label which were refrigerated at the point of purchase. I like putting a small sticker on mine, such as the Avery reinforcement labels from Walmart in a bright color. This way, I know which fruits should be kept in the fridge.
2. Keep unrefrigerated watermelon at room temperature
If you live in a climate below 32°Fahrenheit like me and often eat watermelons that have never been refrigerated, it's recommended to store them on a countertop or in your pantry at room temperature. Then, after seven to ten days if the watermelon hasn't been eaten, it's best to transfer it into the fridge.
'Watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature,' says the National Watermelon Promotion Board. 'In fact, there has been research showing room temperature watermelon has higher nutrient levels, but it must have never been refrigerated before in order to benefit.'
If you're prone to forgetting how long your produce has been sitting out, you could try using an automatic digital countdown device like the AIMILAR countdown clock available on Amazon. This way, you'll know when it hits zero that it's time to store watermelons in the fridge. I personally set an alarm on my phone or label them with the date they were picked or purchased.
3. Store watermelon slices in the fridge
Once a watermelon is sliced, it has to be stored in the fridge. If you don't do this your watermelon will not only spoil incredibly fast by losing moisture, but the slices will also become prone to developing harmful bacteria.
Tammy Sons, the founder of TN Nursery which has been running for over 60 years across three generations, says, 'Once I slice, I press plastic wrap snugly over the exposed flesh or pop cubes into an airtight glass tub; the tight seal keeps fridge odors out and moisture in, so the pieces stay crisp and bright for 3 to 4 days.'
I prefer to use plastic wrap like the Glad Press n' Seal plastic food wrap roll from Walmart than resealable bags as it is more effective at staying air tight. Though using something like these Pyrex Freshlock mixed sized glass food storage containers from Amazon is the most efficient choice. They stack neatly in my fridge and I can clearly see what's in them when I open the door.
4. Do not freeze your watermelon
I love using my freezer to keep batch-cooked meals and preserving food that I won't have time to finish before it spoils, but watermelons are something that won't come out tasting the same.
'Freezing watermelon slices causes the rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture after defrosting,' says the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
If you have too much watermelon to eat, I recommend putting some into healthy smoothies and juices using the best blenders. Combine your melon with other delicious summer fruits, pop in some ice cubes and enjoy a nutritious, hydrating beverage while limiting food waste. But you'll want to pass on the freezer for storing watermelon.
5. Store watermelon away from apples and bananas
I learned from gardening experts about 'ethylene gas' and how it impacts different fruits. Many fruits release this gas while they ripen, and this can impact the ripening cycle of other fruits, including watermelons.
'I recommend storing watermelon away from fruits like apples and bananas so your melons don't ripen and then spoil faster than expected,' says Tammy. 'Apples and bananas release ethylene gas naturally as they become ripe, and the gas causes melons to speed up their ripening process.'
Simply sitting your watermelon alone on the counter or on a shelf works best, as tempting as it may be to create a lovely fruit bowl display with all of your produce together.
These silicone stretch storage containers are perfect for locking moisture into your watermelon halves or slices. I really like how you can still clearly see what's inside each box.
A set like this is ideal for storing watermelon, whether you have lots of leftover slices or just a few chunks to use up in a fruit salad another day.
If you enjoy making fruit salads like me, a melon ball scoop like this will come in handy. Salads with perfectly-shaped melon balls feel more elevated, especially if you're entertaining.
FAQs
How do you pick a good watermelon?
There are a few telltale signs to look out for that indicate how to pick a watermelon for optimal flavor and juiciness.
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, lived in Iran as a child and spent her summers there into adulthood. She says, 'My grandmother was the queen of picking the sweetest watermelons and she'd always look for three things: A hollow-sounding thump when you flicked it, a yellow sunspot on the green skin where it had ripened well in sunlight, and a small node where it disconnected from the vine naturally.'
If you notice all three of these things, you'll be sure to choose a watermelon in its prime.
Should I wash watermelon before storing it?
The National Watermelon Promotion Board and Tammy Sons both agree that it's best to wash your watermelon just before slicing it up or eating it as opposed to just before storing it.
'Give the rind a quick rinse just before eating, not before storage as any lingering moisture encourages mold,' says Tammy.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board echoes this, saying, 'Wash your watermelon before eating it, and always make sure to cut into it using a clean knife and washed hands to prevent transferring any bacteria.'
If you're thinking of growing watermelon for yourself, this is the best time to plant watermelon to produce a harvest perfectly timed with next summer.
