A Simple Kitchen Hack: Store Uncut Watermelon at Room Temperature, Out of Direct Sunlight
Watermelon season runs from mid-June to late August, but nothing ruins a summer slice like a dry, stale fruit. The surprising secret to keeping watermelons fresh isn’t the fridge—it’s where you store the whole fruit. Christina Orso, culinary expert from Mortadella Head, explains: "Once home, I store the uncut watermelon at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. Uncut watermelon has a longer shelf life than cut watermelon." With proper storage, an uncut watermelon can stay fresh for up to two weeks!
In This Article:
Ethylene Gas, Crowding, and the Best Neighbors for Watermelon
Watermelons are particularly susceptible to ethylene gas, which is churned out by fruits like apples, avocados and bananas to aid their ripening process. The trouble is, too much of this gas from a crowded fruit bowl can lead to all your fruit going off prematurely. To avoid this, watermelons fare well when stored alongside pineapples, which emit only a smidge of ethylene gas. They’re also good neighbours for citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruits, and they won’t turn their noses up at being near berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries either. The ideal spot for storing watermelon is at the rear of a kitchen worktop or beneath a shelf, as it flourishes best in a dim area of the kitchen away from direct sunlight and warmth.
How to Store Cut Watermelon for Maximum Freshness
Chopped watermelon must be housed in a lidded container to maintain optimal freshness, as it’s more susceptible to bacterial growth owing to its elevated natural sugar and moisture levels. Christina explains: "Freshly cut watermelon loses moisture and flavour when exposed to air. The best way to combat this is to tightly wrap the cut end (the exposed flesh) with plastic wrap." Then, place the wrapped watermelon in a shallow airtight container. An airtight storage container, or cling wrap, will work wonders here. Beeswax wrapping is a more environmentally-conscious option. For smaller watermelon chunks, you can simply pop them straight into a container rather than wrapping them, though adding kitchen roll or a paper plate to the container will keep them fresher for extended periods. For smaller cut watermelon pieces or cubes, Christina places them on a paper towel-lined plate. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture that can lead to sogginess.
How Long Do Cut Watermelons Stay Fresh? The Bottom Line
Even after slicing, the watermelon’s flavor won’t last forever; a couple of days is about as long as it stays at peak freshness, even if it’s free from bacteria and mould. Christina advised: "While refrigeration helps, avoid storing cut watermelon for over a day or two. The cool temperatures can start to diminish the watermelon's sweet taste."
