What is the average shelf life of a honeydew melon? How long do honeydew melons last in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer? What is the best way to store honeydew melons to increase their shelf life? Find out the answers to these questions and more below:
Shelf Life of Honeydew Melons
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | 3-5 Days | 5-7 Days | 12 Months |
Shelf Life of Honeydew:
Honeydew is food that never gets spoiled. The look of this food item can change, but this does not mean that it’s spoiled. It may begin to look yellow instead of its original golden color. You can refrigerate honeydew to extend its shelf life. You can keep it in the refrigerator for five to seven days. Honeydew can be stored at room temperature. If the honeydew is kept in a sealed container, then it can be stored for years; their hard skins give them this ability.
Purchasing Honeydew:
Mature melons look well-shaped in their appearance. A ripe honeydew will have a tinted gold base color, and it will be spherical in shape. It must not have any sort of tears or scars on its skin. If you find the base color slightly tinted, it’s not ripe yet. After you are satisfied with its base color, check its weight. It must be heavy. The best way to check the melon is to smell it. If it smells sweet and musky, you can purchase it. Before purchasing the honeydew, also check the stem of the honeydew. If there are tears or scars, it was harvested too early.
Storing Honeydew:
You can store ripe honeydew in the refrigerator for up to six days. You simply need to enclose the honeydew melons in plastic bags. By enclosing them in plastic bags, you are protecting other food items from the ethylene gas that is produced by honeydew. If you have cut the honeydew in pieces, then seal them in airtight containers. You can also wrap honeydew melons and store them in the fridge. When the honeydew melons are cut into pieces, they can absorb the odor of other food items very quickly and also transfer their aroma, which alters the taste and odor of other food kept nearby. This is why it is always recommended that wrapping must be airtight.
Handling Honeydew:
It is recommended to everyone never to choose honeydew melons that are damaged. After you purchase them, make sure that you refrigerate them or surround them with ice. The leftover pieces of honeydew must be discarded if they are left open at room temperature for more than 3 hours. Try to scrub the honeydew melons with a brush. Wash your hands with warm water after handling the honeydew melons. Cut the honeydew on a clean cutting board and with clean utensils.
Cooking with Honeydew:
Many people enjoy the lushness of honeydew. In the slush, you should add a little sugar and a splash of fresh lime juice. You can also add a sweet burst taste to the green salad by adding honeydew melons to it. A combination of honeydew and cantaloupe results in a delicious fruit salad. By drizzling it with maple syrup and spicing it with shavings of ginger, you can add flavor to the salad.