Will a cantaloupe ripen after you cut It? (+7 Tips)
Cantaloupes are fruits that are generally available in supermarkets throughout the year. They are very popular among people who enjoy eating fruit. Cantaloupes are sweet melons that are usually harvested from June to August. They are round in shape and weigh about 2 pounds each. They are juicy and delicious. However, if you buy cantaloupes that are not ripe enough, they will spoil quickly. This happens because the flesh of these fruits becomes soft and mushy. It is important to know how to tell whether or not your cantaloupes are ripe enough. To check if your cantaloupes have reached maturity, you can simply touch the skin of the fruit. If the skin is hard, then the cantaloupes are still immature. On the other hand, if the skin is soft, then the cantaloupe is ready to eat.
In this article, we will answer the question “Will a cantaloupe ripen after you cut It?”, and how to store cantaloupe?
Will a cantaloupe ripen after you cut It?
No, a cantaloupe won’t ripen after it has been cut. Cantaloupe will only ripen on the vine. Once off the branch, it won’t sweeten because it lacks the starches that convert into sugars during the ripening after harvest.
However, you can soften the texture and the color may be changed. Read on If you want to know how to ripen a freshly harvested or slightly unripe cantaloupe.
How to ripen a cantaloupe?
Ripening cantaloupe on the vine
A change in the color of the rind from green to yellow or tan is an indication of ripeness. However, color must not be solely relied upon to gauge maturity. Because once harvested, unlike the texture and color, the flavor or sweetness of the cantaloupe won’t change.
A crack around the stem or “full slip” is an indication of ripeness. If unsure, apply pressure of your thumb on the side of the stem, If It separates easily, It is ripe.
When you observe the altered color and crack around the stem, It is time to harvest the cantaloupe. If the cantaloupe falls off the branch on Its own, It is highly likely to have become overripe.
Ripening cantaloupe off the vine
Ripening cantaloupe off the vine is limited to the changes in its texture, color, and juiciness. The taste or sweetness won’t change. Moreover, the former changes are also possible for a melon that is freshly harvested or is only slightly unripe.
Wrap the cantaloupe tightly in a paper bag. We want carbon dioxide to leave so do not use a plastic bag or else the cantaloupe will start to ferment. What we are trying to do is to concentrate the ethylene gas produced by the melon to hasten the ripening process.
For faster ripening, place a fruit like a banana or an apple along with the cantaloupe in the bag. These fruits produce large amounts of this colorless and odorless gas.
Leave the paper bag at room temperature away from moisture or heat. The ripening process should take about 2 days. However, keep checking to measure the progress.
Determining ripeness
Rind color and pattern
Ripe cantaloupe should have beige-colored criss-cross patterns on its rind. The fruit pulp should be pale yellow. A green rind is an indication of unripeness.
Smell
If you smell the blossom end of the cantaloupe, and It gives off a pleasant musky and sweet smell then It is a sweet cantaloupe. If the odor is very weak, it means the cantaloupe is still unripe and If the odor is pungent like alcohol or a ketone then the cantaloupe is degrading.
Weight
Ripe cantaloupe should feel heavy.
Blossom end
The blossom end on the opposite side of where the stem was attached to the fruit. If you press gently at this end and the fruit yields a little, It means the fruit is ripe.
Firmness
The cantaloupe should feel tough but neither too stiff nor too soft.
Sound
A ripe cantaloupe should give a low and a deep sound upon shaking. You can hear the seeds clattering inside a ripe cantaloupe.
Stem
A ripe cantaloupe should have a smooth and circular depression at the site where the stem was attached previously.
Storage practices and shelf life of cantaloupe
Whole ripe cantaloupes can last 5 days at room temperature. But If you want to extend its shelf life, put it in the fridge and It will stay fresh for 7 or more days.
Sliced/cut cantaloupe will not remain edible If kept in the open air past 2 hours. However, if you don’t have to immediately eat it, you can always put the slices in an airtight container or wrap them in a cling film and after squeezing out all air.
In the fridge, the slices will last about 2 to 3 days. After that, the fruit will lose its juiciness and becomes too dried out. Make sure the temperature of your fridge is constant and does not suffer extreme fluctuations.
Do not wash your cantaloupe if you are not immediately going to consume it because this will soften the rind and accelerates the fungal growth.
When keeping the fridge, do not remove seeds from the fruit, they act to lock the moisture and prevent the fruit from drying out faster.
Do you ever wonder if something will ripen after you cut it open?
Well, here’s a quick experiment to find out!
In this article I’m going to explain you how to test whether something has ripened after cutting it open.
If you want to know whether something has ripened, then try this simple experiment.
Cut a melon in half and leave it somewhere warm.
If it starts to soften, then it’s ripe.
Ripening cantaloupe off the vine
Cantaloupes are harvested while still green. This is because they are picked when they are very firm and not ripe. Once they are picked, they begin to soften and lose moisture. Cantaloupes are usually stored in cold storage until they reach peak maturity. After picking, they are transported to a packing facility where they are placed into boxes and shipped to stores. At the store, they are put on display and sold to consumers. How long does it take to ripen cantaloupe? It takes about 10 days for a cantaloupe to ripen from green to orange. During this period, the fruit loses weight and softens. The skin becomes softer and drier. The flesh becomes sweeter and juicier.
Will a cantaloupe ripen after you cut It?
Yes, but only if you leave it alone. A cantaloupe will continue to ripen even after being cut. However, it will not get any bigger. What happens to a cantaloupe when it gets too ripe? If a cantaloupe is left unripe, it will become mushy and tasteless. In addition, it will spoil quickly. Can I refrigerate a cantaloupe? Can I freeze a cantaloupe? You can refrigerate a cantaloupes for up to 3 days. You can also freeze a cantaloue for up to 6 months.
Other FAQs about Cantaloupe which you may be interested in.
Cantaloupe is a sweet melon that originated from Spain. It is very popular in many countries around the world. This fruit is usually eaten raw or cooked. It is available year round. How long does a cantaloupe last? A cantaloupe lasts for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Determining ripeness
To determine if a cantaloupe is ripe, you need to check the stem end. When you squeeze the cantaloupe, it should give slightly. If not, it is still unripe. What is the difference between a honeydew melon and a cantaloupe? Honeydews are larger than cantaloupes. They are sweeter and have fewer seeds.
How to ripen a cantaloupe?
Ripening a cantaloupe takes about 5 days. To ripen a cantaloup, place it in a paper bag with a banana. Put the bag in a warm area about 75 degrees. After five days, remove the fruit from the bag and store in the refrigerator.
Storage practices and shelf life of cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are very perishable fruits. It needs to be stored properly. Cantaloupes should be stored in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. Store them in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Do not wash cantaloupes until ready to eat. Wash them only if necessary. Keep them covered to prevent moisture loss.
Ripening cantaloupe on the vine
Cantaloupes ripen on the vine. This means that the fruit does not need to be picked ripe. In order to get the maximum flavor and sweetness, leave the cantaloupe on a tree until it is fully ripe. Then pick it off the tree and store it in the fridge. How to peel a cantaloupe
What can I do with a non ripe cantaloupe?
If you’re looking to sweeten a cantaloupe, you’ll want to cut off the rind and scoop out the flesh. Then, slice the fruit into wedges and toss it in a bowl with 1/4 cup sugar per pound of fruit. Let sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cantaloupe is soft enough to eat.
Can you still ripen a cantaloupe after it’s been cut?
Yes, but it won’t be as fast as if you put it in a paper bag. You can also wrap the melon in aluminum foil and place it in a warm oven 200 degrees F for 2 hours.
Will cantaloupe ripen after being refrigerated?
Cantaloupes are picked green and left to ripen naturally at room temperature. It takes about 3 weeks for a cantaloue to fully ripen. To accelerate the process, place the fruit in a paper bag with an apple or banana. This helps to absorb ethylene gas produced by the fruit.
Can you ripen cantaloupe in the microwave?
Yes, but not necessarily immediately. Most fruits will ripen faster if stored at room temperature. However, cantaloupes are usually harvested ripe and shipped directly to stores where they are sold unripe. This allows retailers to sell them quickly and still maintain quality. How long does it take for a cantaloupe to ripen?
How do you sweeten an unripe cantaloupe?
Yes, but not necessarily right away. Cantaloupes usually take about 2 weeks to fully ripen. After that, they will continue to ripen until they reach full maturity.
Will a cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator?
You can use a non-ripe cantaloupe in many ways. It can be used as a snack, added to salads, or even eaten straight from the skin. Just remember to wash it thoroughly before eating.
What is the fastest way to ripen a cantaloupe?
Yes, but not for long. Cantaloupes are usually picked ripe, meaning they’re ready to eat right away. But if you leave them on the counter for a day or two, they’ll soften and become sweeter. This is because the sugars in the fruit get concentrated during the process of ripening. To hasten the ripening process, store the melon in the refrigerator.