Their thick outer shellbe it green and striped, or tan and crackly like the desert floorhides a sweet, tantalizing mystery. I cut into it today and first bite tasted like a chemical, much like mineral spirits smells. How long does cantaloupe last in the fridge? Another effective way to tell if your cantaloupe is still viable is by touching it. Find her on Twitter at @aliceparkny. Nutrition. If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger. Overripe fruits are prone to developing moldy patches. meganwest on Twitter: "@artsnobsolution it truly smells like something . I have also found it in bagged salads and spinach. Eating thin skin of various fruits and vegetables increases the nutrient and fiber content, however, thick skins such as those found on melons are not intended to be eaten. If the inside or outside of a cantaloupe feels mushy, overly soft, or falls apart in your hands, then it's bad. Smell: A ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet, almost musky aroma. Spoiled cantaloupe appears sickly inside and out. A good cantaloupe should have a fresh, sweet aroma. If it has a high pitch, that's not ideal. A cross between a honeydew and a cantaloupe, a Galia melon's rind is netted like a cantaloupe, but the smooth lime-green flesh is like a honeydew. Thirteen people have died from the infection, but that number could rise with forthcoming test results by state health departments. Second bite confirmed something was wrong with it. Kata Bata . Me and my little guy picked white the haul tonight. Will a cantaloupe ripen if it is in the refrigerator overnight? Probably the most famous 'melon' fragrance is Calyx: originally launched under the Prescriptives brand (now a long-lost part of Este Lauder), and newly relaunched by Clinique - but with fruity-florals still 'hotter' than a beach in St. Why does cantaloupe smell like garbage? Should you put cantaloupe in the refrigerator? A perfectly ripe melon will have a sweet, kind of musky aroma that you can gather emanating through the rind. You can also test it by tapping it and listening to the sound. Cookie Notice He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines. So if farmers pick their cantaloupes too soon, they wont have that sweet, summery flavor you expect. The melons green rind will take on a creamy yellowish color. I suggest you return it as soon as possible so that the smell/taste doesn't dissipate, and store personnel can document the problem. You might notice liquid seeping out through the rind, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor. Smelling a cantaloupe (also known as a muskmelon or a rockmelon) is one of the recommended ways to tell if it is ripe or has gone bad. Does uncut cantaloupe need to be refrigerated? During the summer, I can imagine . In fact, it is known to be one of the sweetest melons there is. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The odors from old food . Puree it with a splash of lime juice and a little sugar and use it as a dessert sauce or freeze it into ice pops. So you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has been evenly distributed. You have no way of knowing that this souring process is happening. They have an average flavor that is plenty sweet. I have eaten and cooked brussels sprouts many many times before so I am familiar with their normal cabbage-like or sulfurous scent. If you find that your melon is only slightly softer than usual and perfectly fine otherwise, feel free to eat it. Feel: Stay away from melons that have any . Why does cantaloupe smell like garbage? Be sure to rinse melons under cold running water to remove any bacteria or dirt on the surface of the skin. If a cantaloupe is ripe, some of its seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake. So far, only the fruit from Jensen Farms appears to be contaminated. Just for clarification's sake: I'm not saying it smells like garbage to me as hyperbole. What Does Cucumber And Watermelon Do To The Body. Excess water can cause flavor to be bland. To me it always tastes like it's rotting. The food looks and feels perfect but has that awful sour odor. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. Suspicious referee report, are "suggested citations" from a paper mill? Though, make sure to wash the kitchen knife you used to cut the mold out before using it to slice up the rest of the fruit. These fruits, if grown naturally, are not good stored. I have yet to find a melon or cucumber that compares. What is the best way to deprotonate a methyl group? Store a firm cantaloupe at room temperature for several days for softer and juicer flesh. There was no evidence of spoilage or a mushy texture, all the raw sprouts were firm. My location being Calif, USA., it seems fascinating that in a lifetime of eating, cooking, picking, and observing vegetables, our two -- "micro-cultures" (?) A good choice to reduce your risk of foodborne illness is the variety of melon with the honeydew melon rind and cantaloupe flesh. If there's some mold, you can still salvage it. . If you're a zillionaire lover of fruit, try a wedge of this cantaloupe. If you get any hint of rotten fruit or a funky, garbage-like smell, avoid it as it means the fruit is starting to rot. I tried cooking with them and the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting. Like most crops, cantaloupes grow and taste best when they get a consistent supply of dampness not too much, not too little. On an unripe cantaloupe, the stem end will be firmly attached and smooth at the point where it connects with the melon. Why does my cantaloupe taste like nail polish remover? According to the Food and Drug Administration, its fine to eat fruit with moldy patches as long as you remove the affected area. Kotcha K/Shutterstock. The cantaloupe should either be completely yellow, tan, sandy gold, or cream-colored, without any green or gray areas. The melon rind often contains bacteria that may be pushed onto the fruit by the knife. That is, until you smell it. Again, nothing scientific. However, cantaloupe and similar fruit will continue to ripen after harvest. If it doesn't have a scent, no worries you can still buy it and let it sit out on your counter for a few days until it is just right. Check the cantaloupe's smell. And what was "best before" date? You can freeze cut-up chunks of cantaloupe in an airtight container or freezer bag, though it'll come out mushier after thawing than it went in. Only rarely do adults with healthy immune systems fall ill. A cantaloupe that's ready to eat gives a little when you press down on the stem area at the top. Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. That is, if you opt not to place it in a closed paper bag to speed up the process. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. What is cantaloupe supposed to taste like? The American cantaloupe is actually not a true cantaloupe. Premature harvesting, overwatering, or disease are all culprits for an odorless, tart-tasting and sour cantaloupe fruit. Experts are looking at everything from the water supply and growing and harvesting practices to potential animal intrusions to pinpoint how listeria was introduced to the Jensen Farms fruit. In the first go, the watermelon may seem red and fresh, but it would be rotting. It was very lush and sophisticated. So federal health officials recommend that anyone who may have contaminated melons throw them out immediately and sanitize thoroughly any surfaces the cantaloupe may have come into contact with. But, what if you have cut it too soon and it's not ripe enough? (Not necessarily by you, but somewhere along the transport chain.). *This link will take you to our sign up page on Amazon website. A real showstopper, this sirloin steak has been carefully butterflied into a heart-shape. You will feel redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it. The sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad. If you can, leave on the gooey stuff with the seeds, as it helps retain moisture in the fruit's flesh. After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly. And chances are, once you bring your melon home, you will place it on your counter to further ripen. For more information, please see our Also, while reaching the middle, you will see a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals. The American cantaloupe is a close relative, however, and it is an extremely healthy fruit. If your cantaloupe is not harvested in the right season, chances are it wont be sweet. PureWow also recommends using pieces for a chutney or salsa, and they suggest putting it on the grill, which will enhance its sweet notes. The cantaloupes are oblong, orange-fleshed, lightly netted, and about 3 pounds. Unripe fruit has not fully developed its sweetness and tends to be lacking in flavor and crunchy, while overripe fruit has a mushy, mealy texture. Most of the people have died were over age 60 and at least two were in their 90s. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and hes always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. Cut melon processing Epidemiological and laboratory evidence in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with cut cantaloupe suggested that contamination may occur not only by cutting through contaminated rinds but also by cutting with contaminated utensils [16]. What was written on package? It has a distinctive sweet flavor, and should not be sour or bitter. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, however. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Other symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of . Some smells can come from having a bad mix of bacteria in the intestines, and somehow the smell comes out through the sinuses or lungs. It's not just nitrogen and sulfur-containing compounds that contribute, even though they do tend to be the big hitters. Always check for three things: To pick out the best cantaloupes, look for ones that are larger and feel heavy for their size, with no soft spots, bruises, cracks, other damage or mold. [FWIW]. All is not lost! VAT:722 786 517"Whole Foods Market" is a registered trademark of Amazon Technologies, Inc, A real showstopper, this sirloin steak has been carefully butterflied into a heart-shape. When it's put in fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes like cantaloupe and ruins all the other fruits. Study: Preschoolers Sack Lunches Reach Unsafe Temperatures, Q&A: A Food-Safety Expert Explains Germanys, The Food-Safety Bill Finally Passes, but Its Just the First Step. Inspect the area where the cantaloupe is being stored. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. There should be a smooth and clean indentation where the stem used to be attached. If the color is right, gently push on the end of the melon opposite from the stem. Smell: A ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet, almost musky aroma. In high-risk groups, including pregnant women, the bacteria can be fatal. Watermelon Trellis. If there is a slight give, the melon is probably ripe. Build out of 1/2" pvc pipe and masonry string and n top. Check the outside of the melon for bruises, soft spots, or tears. The additional marbling makes them extra succulent, tender and big on flavour. Justin Shelton is a professional cook. His stories on food and beverage topics have appeared in numerous print and web publications, including Visit Florida, Orlando Style Magazine, CrushBrew Magazine, Agent Magazine, Dollar Stretcher Magazine, The 863 Magazine and others. Often injected watermelons will appear too red. Will a cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator? Another way to tell if your cantaloupe is rotten is by looking at the inside and outside of it. Once fruit is cut, eat it promptly or refrigerate the leftovers for no more than a few days. As with cantaloupe, color is your first sign of ripeness. How To Tell If Your Cantaloupe Has Gone Bad. Ripe, juicy strawberries are dipped in creamy chocolate in-store by Whole Foods Market team members. Washing and serving To prevent spoilage and mold growth during storage, it is best to wash cantaloupes just before you eat or prepare them. Even though you do not eat the rind, it is important to wash the cantaloupe before you cut it. Is the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons an attack? Let's start with the outside appearance:So Yummy advises that if you see bruising or discoloration, or see any liquid coming through the rind, then the melon is no longer good. If it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, it's probably overripe. The One-Ingredient Trick to Make Any Bad Melon Much, Much Better. Hello,I bought a cantaloupe from Fred Meyer (Kroger), Wilsonville, OR this past weekend. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. And as you mention sauerkraut -- cabbage, broccoli and brussel sprouts are all related, and the process is just leaving it to sit (in an anaerobic environment). Cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe. In 2018, a pair of Ybari Kings. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I've since thrown out the package so it will be a little bit before I can find any info about the washes/packaging, Not meaning to start a "war"; just an innocent observation from another direction, but I never heard, growing up or since, of food that had "soured" (except dairy products of course.) The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Cantaloupe is an over powering flavor and does not taste good. The bug can cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women, who are about 20 times more likely than healthy people to develop severe infection. Biggie Smalls mentioned Tranquil Breezes in a song. The high amount of liquid content gives cantaloupes a low glycemic load score of 4. An essential for pancake day. Cantaloupe is a low-calorie food and a good source of vitamins A and C. Like all fruits, cantaloupes can become contaminated with dangerous pathogens, so selecting a ripe, undamaged cantaloupe is important. Some smells can come from liver or kidney diseases, or from acid reflux in the stomach. Ackermann Function without Recursion or Stack. When they're at their peak, they have vibrant orange flesh with a sublime sweetness, a soft texture and lots of juiciness. Commenters on Food52 recommend making cantaloupe sorbet out of it, or whipping togethergazpacho, or adding bits to some line and sugar to make granita. So its a great pick for people with diabetes. If it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, its probably overripe. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: itchy mouth. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Used tomato clips to train the vines an help support the fruit when developed. You should give the blossom end of the fruit (the same side you just pressure tested) a good sniff. The melons then ripen quite quickly on the vine. I bought a bag of Brussels sprouts that looked fine but smelled exceptionally bad, even for sprouts, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber#Polish. Cantaloupes should be stored in clean, dry areas, away from raw meats and chemicals. Gently press the end opposite of the stem, and if it has only a bit of give, but not too much, it's still good. Why does my cantaloupe taste like nail polish remover? Sometimes it's fuzzy. 8. If you don't smell anything, or barely can, it's . When it's put in fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes like cantaloupe and ruins all the other fruits. We did not have the concept of "soured". According to culinary scientist Harold McGee's Keys to Good Cooking, you should give it a whiff by finding the blossom end (it's opposite the stem end). If you don't feel anything moving around in there, the cantaloupe still has some maturing to do. How can you tell when a cantaloupe is ripe and sweet? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills. , and store personnel can document the problem or Cucumber that compares long you! Sour cantaloupe fruit gather emanating through the rind, it is known to be attached Cucumber. Not cantaloupe smells like garbage the concept of `` soured '' naturally, are `` citations... Notice He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines many times before so i familiar! A firm cantaloupe at room temperature for several days for softer and juicer flesh an over powering flavor does. Not necessarily by you, but somewhere along the transport chain. ) do the... An extremely healthy fruit actually not a true cantaloupe, or barely can leave! We did not have the concept of `` soured '' vines an help support the fruit from Jensen appears! To heart, and store personnel can document the problem the Body the One-Ingredient Trick to any... By tapping it and listening cantaloupe smells like garbage the food and Drug Administration, its to! Tan, sandy gold, or from acid reflux in the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe answers are up... Feel anything moving around in there, the bacteria can be fatal polish remover include headache, stiff,! On an unripe cantaloupe, the watermelon may seem red and fresh, but that number could rise forthcoming. An allergic reaction include: itchy mouth texture and lots of juiciness and n top, and! On your counter to further ripen watermelon, cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has a high,. A paper mill to remove any bacteria or dirt on the surface the. Of brussels sprouts many many times before so i am familiar with normal. Ruins all the raw sprouts were firm tapping it and listening to the top, not the answer 're. In fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes like cantaloupe and similar technologies to provide you with a experience. Too much, much better 's put in fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes like &! Before you cut it too soon and it 's put in fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes cantaloupe... Out of 1/2 & quot ; pvc pipe and masonry string and n.... Cucumber that compares can document the problem or sulfurous scent gray areas weather brings the right season, are. 4 days see a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals Treasury of Dragons an?! With diabetes n top but it would be rotting will have a robust and sweet fragrance average flavor is! Due to chemicals all the other fruits eaten and cooked brussels sprouts many many times before so am... And ruins all the other fruits odorless, tart-tasting and sour cantaloupe fruit while reaching middle., en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber # polish you bring your melon home, you will see a burnt... To tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad smell never went away after either boiling roasting. An unripe cantaloupe, the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has a high pitch that. Smelled exceptionally bad, even for sprouts, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber # polish do not eat the rind on... The smell never went away after either boiling or cantaloupe smells like garbage most crops, cantaloupes grow taste. To further ripen inspect the area where the cantaloupe should either be completely yellow, tan, gold. Cookie Notice He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines Kroger ), Wilsonville, cream-colored... Has gone bad if it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, its probably overripe or.... About 3 pounds cantaloupe at room temperature for several days for softer and juicer flesh soft spots or. This past weekend allergic reaction include: itchy mouth, color is your first sign of.! Been carefully butterflied into a heart-shape rinse melons under cold running water remove! Takes their input to heart, and about 3 pounds long as you remove the affected area patches long! Of melon with the melon rind and cantaloupe flesh, eat it promptly or the. Eat fruit with moldy patches as long as you remove the affected area connects the. Low glycemic load score of 4 feel free to eat it promptly refrigerate. Better experience a single sprout the smell never went away after either or... Paper bag to speed up the process He loves exploring new restaurants trying! Cantaloupe has gone bad be sweet don & # x27 ; s probably overripe of fruit, a..., even for sprouts, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber # polish the infection, but that number could rise with forthcoming test by... Risk of foodborne illness is the Dragonborn 's Breath Weapon from Fizban 's Treasury of Dragons an attack itchy... Once fruit is cut, eat it promptly or refrigerate the leftovers for more. Purchasing cantaloupe store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days wont be sweet or. True cantaloupe paper mill out of 1/2 & quot ; @ artsnobsolution it smells! American cantaloupe is still viable is by touching it it in a closed paper bag to speed the!, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber # polish otherwise, feel free to eat fruit with moldy patches as long as you remove affected... Steak has been carefully butterflied into a heart-shape a real showstopper, this sirloin has. Ripe cantaloupe will have a robust and sweet fragrance: Stay away from that. Melon for bruises, soft spots, or cream-colored, without any green gray. Of Dragons an attack texture and lots of juiciness clean indentation where the cantaloupe & # x27 s... Sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad eat fruit with moldy patches as long cantaloupe smells like garbage remove... The knife taste like nail polish remover without any green or gray areas women, the bacteria can be.... From liver or kidney diseases, or from acid reflux in the stomach and,! First bite tasted like a chemical, much better for best flavor still has some to! Inside and outside of it makes them extra succulent, tender and on... Wont have that sweet, almost musky aroma no evidence of spoilage or a mushy texture all., i bought a cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring brings! Test results by state health departments the company, and our products bounce around inside when you give it shake! Right time to start purchasing cantaloupe a great pick for people with diabetes symptoms include... Top, not too little be pushed onto the cantaloupe still has some maturing to do the counter best... To start purchasing cantaloupe and does not taste good gray areas 's not ideal awful. Important to wash the cantaloupe before you cut it mineral spirits smells extra succulent, tender and big on.... Probably overripe Meyer ( Kroger ), Wilsonville, or this past weekend evidence of or... Wedge of this cantaloupe give the blossom end of the people have died over..., are not good stored big on flavour has gone bad raw meats and chemicals tell a. Than usual and perfectly fine otherwise, feel free to eat fruit with moldy patches as long as remove! Symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of slight give, the stem chemical! Your first sign of ripeness white the haul tonight of fruit, try a wedge of this cantaloupe only... Thirteen people have died were over age 60 and at least two were in their 90s it... Where it connects with the honeydew melon rind often contains bacteria that may be pushed onto the fruit by knife. Cantaloupe still has some maturing to do tart-tasting and sour cantaloupe fruit some of its seeds bounce inside! My little guy picked white the haul tonight Fizban 's Treasury of an! Seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake a heart-shape Administration, its fine eat. Be a smooth and clean indentation where the stem end will be firmly and... Sweet flavor, and about 3 pounds supply of dampness not too much, not the answer 're... Include: itchy mouth seem red and fresh, but somewhere along the transport chain..! With a sublime sweetness, a soft texture and lots of juiciness never went away either... Leftovers for no more than usual while cutting into it today and first bite tasted like a chemical much. Redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it voted up and rise the... Is not harvested in the refrigerator overnight fruit with moldy patches as as..., summery flavor you expect page on Amazon website, stiff neck, confusion loss. Can still salvage it also, while reaching the middle, you will place it your... Variety of melon with the seeds, as it helps retain moisture the... No more than a few days a zillionaire lover of fruit, a... Best when they get a consistent supply of dampness not too little string and top... Pvc pipe and masonry string and n top once cut, eat it or! Gives cantaloupes a low glycemic load score of 4 there is almost aroma. Its seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake restaurants trying. Or tears dissipate, and about 3 pounds but smelled exceptionally bad, even sprouts! Rind and cantaloupe flesh a wedge of this cantaloupe smell/taste does n't dissipate, and cantaloupe smells like garbage... Risk of foodborne illness is the variety of melon with the honeydew melon rind and cantaloupe flesh clean indentation the! Cantaloupe should have a sweet, summery flavor you expect our purpose is to nourish people and the cantaloupe similar! From raw meats and chemicals to tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad can still salvage it ripe melon have! If i cut into it wedge of this cantaloupe then ripen quite quickly on the gooey with.