How Can You Tell If a Watermelon Is Bad? Key Signs to Look For

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Plus, learn how to properly store your melons to make them last longer
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Watermelon is a delicious summer treat, but to protect your health, it’s important to know if a watermelon is rotten, spoiled, or overripe. Some of the best ways to determine if your watermelon has gone bad are to check for mold, a foul odor, or a mushy texture. We’ll dive deeper into all of these signs of melon spoilage, as well as give tips on melon storage, selection, food safety.

What are the signs a watermelon has gone bad?

Key signs that a watermelon has gone bad include a sour or unpleasant smell, a slimy or fuzzy texture, and signs of mold (i.e., black, green, blue, or white spots). If you bite into the melon, you may notice a sour taste or fizzy sensation. If your melon is just mealy or dry, it’s like overripe but still safe to eat.

Section 1 of 6:

Signs a Watermelon Has Gone Bad

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  1. Mold or dark-colored spots on the outside of the watermelon could indicate that it has gone bad. The mold might be black, white, or green, and have a fuzzy appearance. If you see any dark brown patches on the watermelon (particularly on the outside rind), that’s another sign that your fruit has spoiled. [1]
    • A healthy watermelon will have a pale yellow spot on the outside, but the spot shouldn’t be dark brown or black.
    • Similarly, the flesh of the melon should be a vibrant red or pink without any dark brown patches (which indicate spoilage).
    • Note that different varieties of watermelon have different internal appearances. While most watermelons are pink or red, Desert King, Tendergold, Yellow Baby, and Yellow Doll watermelons have yellow or orange flesh. [2]
  2. 2
    The rind feels mushy, soft, or dented. If the rind of your watermelon (the green-colored outside) is mushy or soft, it’s likely that the whole watermelon is spoiled. The same is true if you see large dents in the rind—if the melon isn’t already spoiled, it’s likely to be soon. [3]
    • A healthy watermelon will have a firm and dull rind.
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  3. 3
    The watermelon feels unusually light for its size. Ripe watermelons should feel heavy due to their high juice content. If you pick up a whole watermelon and it feels surprisingly light, it may be overripe or dry. That doesn’t mean that the watermelon will be spoiled, but it’s likely not the tastiest in the patch! [4]
  4. If the texture of your fruit appears or feels rotten and slimy, it’s best to toss it out. The same applies to an overly watery texture—i.e., if you see liquid pooling around the flesh. This is a sign that your melon has spoiled, since the excess liquid may be caused by bacterial growth. However, if the texture is mealy or dry, then your melon is probably just overripe—you can eat it, but it probably won’t have the best flavor. [5]
    • Ideally, a watermelon’s flesh should be crisp and juicy!
  5. A healthy, edible watermelon should smell fresh and sweet. If your fruit smells tangy, sour, fermented, or otherwise unpleasant, then it’s gone bad and should be thrown away. [6]
  6. 6
    The watermelon tastes fizzy or sour. If you’ve examined the watermelon and haven’t seen any signs of spoilage, you can take a bite out of it. However, if the fruit tastes sour or “fizzy” (almost like the melon is carbonated), then it may be spoiled, and you should toss it out. [7]
  7. If you’re eating pre-cut watermelon that you bought from a grocery store, the container should include an eat-by, use-by, or other type of expiration date. This date is there to let you know the approximate date by which the watermelon will go bad. While most foods are still safe to eat a few days past their use-by date, it may reaffirm your decision to toss the fruit if you’re on the fence about it being spoiled. [8]
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Section 2 of 6:

How long does watermelon last?

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  1. Watermelon that has already been sliced can stay good for up to 5 days, as long as it’s been stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for that entire time. [9]
  2. A whole watermelon has a slightly longer shelf life than a cut watermelon. If you store the uncut watermelon at room temperature, it should last for about 7-10 days. If you store it in a cool, dark place (like a cellar), it may even last for up to two weeks! [10]
    • As always, just make sure to check for key signs of spoilage (e.g., sliminess, mold, a rancid aroma) before chowing down on your fruit.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Store Watermelon & Extend Its Life

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  1. Keep uncut watermelons at room temperature in an area that’s out of direct sunlight for up to a week. If you’d like to store your whole watermelon for longer (i.e., up to two weeks), place it in a cool and dark spot (e.g., a pantry or cellar). [11]
    • Watermelons are typically refrigerated at a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius (55 F).
  2. Refrigerate your cut watermelon immediately after it’s been sliced. Place smaller pieces of watermelon in a shallow, airtight container—this will preserve its flavor and freshness. You can also tightly wrap your slices in plastic wrap or beeswax wraps to help the fruit maintain its moisture. [12]
    • Another hack is to line a plate with paper towels, place your watermelon pieces on top, then cover the plate with plastic wrap. The paper towels may help to absorb excess moisture, keeping the flesh crisp and fresh.
    • Using clean knives to cut watermelon can also help to keep it fresh for longer. Dirty knives can introduce bacteria that may cause the fruit to rot more quickly. [13]
  3. For long-term storage, cut your watermelon in half and scoop out the seeds. Separate the green and white rind from the pink flesh, then cut the pink section into small cubes, melon balls, or equally sized slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper, then lay the watermelon pieces on the sheet in a single layer. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until fully frozen, then transfer the melon to a freezer-safe bag or container. [14]
    • Remove as much air as possible from your freezer-safe container, then place it in the freezer for up to six months.
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Select a Good Watermelon

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  1. 1
    Look for a pale yellow spot on the bottom of the melon. A pale yellow spot on the bottom of a watermelon indicates that it sat for long enough to ripen completely in the field. Avoid choosing watermelons that have a white spot (which indicates underripeness) or a brown spot (which indicates overripeness). [15]
  2. 2
    Look and feel for a rind that’s dull and hard. You want your watermelon’s outer rind to feel hard and firm. You also want it to look dull, as opposed to shiny (which indicates underripeness). If the rind of your fruit is soft, it’s likely overripe. If it’s squishy or discolored in areas, it may even be spoiled. [16]
  3. 3
    Gently tap the watermelon and listen for a hollow sound. Lightly thump the butt of your hand against the melon (but don’t hit it hard enough to bruise it) Listen for a hollow sound—this indicates a fresh, ripe, and ready-to-eat melon. If the sound is dull, then the watermelon may be overripe or spoiled. [17]
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Section 5 of 6:

Is overripe watermelon safe to eat?

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  1. Yes, overripe watermelon is safe to eat, as long as it’s not spoiled. Overripe watermelon is completely fine to eat, it’s usually just not all that appealing! Overripe watermelon can taste mushy or grainy, and it may not have a strong and sweet flavor. However, it’s still safe to eat as long as there are no signs of spoilage, including a sour smell, slimy flesh, moldy spots, or a very mushy or mealy texture. [18]
    • What happens if you eat spoiled watermelon? If you eat spoiled watermelon, it may lead to the development of a foodborne illness (e.g., salmonella or E.Coli), or food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. [19]
    • If you’re not sure whether or not your melon is spoiled, it’s best to err on the safe side and throw it out.
Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions About Watermelons

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  1. 1
    Can I eat watermelon with white seeds? Yes, white seeds are just black seeds that haven’t fully developed, and they’re completely safe to eat. [20]
  2. 2
    Why is my watermelon foaming? Foaming is generally a sign of fermentation, due to bacteria feeding on the natural sugars and yeast in the fruit. This usually means that the melon is spoiled and unsafe to eat, so it’s best to discard it. [21]
  3. 3
    What can I do with an overripe watermelon? If a watermelon is overripe but not spoiled, then you can still use it for recipes that don’t rely on a crisp and firm texture. For instance, you might make watermelon juice , watermelon wine , watermelon daiquiris, or watermelon gazpacho. You could also make jam out of the watermelon, or discard the fruit and make pickled watermelon rinds. [22]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://keepfoodsafe.org/blog/food-poisoning-from-watermelon/
      2. ↑ https://vegcropshotline.org/article/yellow-and-orange-flesh-watermelons/
      3. ↑ https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020_SalvageableProduceGuidelines.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.watermelon.org/the-slice/how-to-choose-a-watermelon/
      5. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-are-the-signs-of-food-spoilage
      6. ↑ https://keepfoodsafe.org/blog/food-poisoning-from-watermelon/
      7. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-store-watermelon-cantaloupe-and-honeydew
      8. ↑ https://eatbydate.com/fruits/fresh/watermelon/
      9. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-long-does-cut-watermelon-last-8679662
      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-long-does-cut-watermelon-last-8679662
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-long-does-cut-watermelon-last-8679662
      3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-long-does-cut-watermelon-last-8679662
      4. ↑ https://keepfoodsafe.org/blog/food-poisoning-from-watermelon/
      5. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-freeze-watermelon
      6. ↑ https://www.watermelon.org/the-slice/how-to-choose-a-watermelon/
      7. ↑ https://www.watermelon.org/the-slice/how-to-choose-a-watermelon/
      8. ↑ https://www.lausd.org/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/216/How+to+pick+produce+with+Phil.pdf
      9. ↑ https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/food-safety/resources/Food-Safety-For-Consumers
      10. ↑ https://keepfoodsafe.org/blog/food-poisoning-from-watermelon/
      11. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-white-and-black-seeds-in-watermelon-233766
      12. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/foaming-exploding-watermelons-7571386
      13. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/overripe-watermelon/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tell if a watermelon is bad, examine the outer rind for a consistent green or green-striped color. Dark-colored or moldy spots, which will look fuzzy and be black, white, or green, indicate the melon isn't fresh. If everything looks good, put your nose close to the rind and check for a sweet, fresh scent. If it smells tangy or sour, toss it out. Then, slice open your melon and look for deep pink or red flesh inside. If yours is any other color, or if the flesh looks gritty or shriveled, throw the watermelon away! If you want to learn how to store your watermelon so it lasts longer, keep reading the article!

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