They also tasted like they smelled. Tap the cantaloupe with the palm of your hand. @hmijail : it's also possible that it's regional because of types of bacteria in the region or climate (going sour slowly vs. quickly as they're at different temperatures). Cantaloupes are extremely vulnerable to the absorption of aromas and liquids. Also, I don't know if the term "sour" is scientifically correct or if it came into use because of the sour smell. That means your body digests it slowly and it wont make your blood sugar spike. Instead, use your nose to smell for its distinct tropical aroma. are patent descriptions/images in public domain? I've wondered if there might be some type of fermentation going on but can't find anything about it. Sometimes it's fuzzy. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. It really was a beautiful scent. 1. Cantaloupe ripens slower but also lasts longer in the refrigerator, where it typically stays good for about 10 days. Hello, I bought a cantaloupe from Fred Meyer (Kroger), Wilsonville, OR this past weekend. 30. Still not sure you want to toss an overly soft cantaloupe? If it's still whole, it develops soft spots and bruises that become increasingly prominent. Cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe. If there's some mold, you can still salvage it. These sprouts were not like that, it was a strong sour smell. You can taste the stored ones straight away, they either have no flavour or they develop an acetone taste akin to nail varnish. Once it's cut, keep it in the fridge for up to a few days, wrapped well in plastic wrap, or, preferably, in an airtight container. These, she says, could be signs of gastrointestinal distress. This is entirely different than a vegetable or other food rotting/going bad. Asked June 03, 2020, 3:11 PM EDT. Finding a perfectly ripe cantaloupe while shopping in a store is easier said than done. So you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has been evenly distributed. Puree it with juice from three limes per whole cantaloupe and with honey and cardamom to taste, refrigerate it and serve it as a chilled soup garnished with mint leaves. Fungal growth can take on a variety of appearances, but it's often white or darkly colored. You might notice liquid seeping out through the rind, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor. If the scent is very faint or if there's no smell at all, then the fruit is not ripe yet. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. What is cantaloupe supposed to taste like? The entire melon gets soft and eventually becomes unable to hold its shape. If the melon seems empty inside or the rind is soft, its lost most of its water and its no good. The cantaloupe should either be completely yellow, tan, sandy gold, or cream-colored, without any green or gray areas. If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger. So far, only the fruit from Jensen Farms appears to be contaminated. It . The affected cantaloupes are sold under the brand name Rocky Ford, which refers to a region in southeastern Colorado. What was written on package? Also, while reaching the middle, you will see a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals. As for the inside of the fruit, when the flesh appears to look dark orange or brown, it's probably past its prime. Torsion-free virtually free-by-cyclic groups. You might notice liquid seeping out through the rind, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor. Then, loosely cover the jar and let it sit for 3-4 days at room temperature so it can ferment. How Do You Tell The Difference Between A Male And Female Cantaloupe Flower? A completely firm melon is as of yet unripe, while one that's too yielding is on the decline. I have also found it in bagged salads and spinach. In 2018, a pair of Ybari Kings. No "war". The sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad. Bruises and soft spots indicate a melon that is overripe and may have gone bad. Only rarely do adults with healthy immune systems fall ill. It smells good: If you've bought a melon-scented candle or bath product lately, it almost surely smelled more like a honeydew than a cantaloupe. Onions, coffee, meat, fruit, alcohol, toothpaste, cleaning . I tried cooking with them and the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting. Commenters on Food52 recommend making cantaloupe sorbet out of it, or whipping togethergazpacho, or adding bits to some line and sugar to make granita. Registration Number:3576009. 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. Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. For more information, please see our A cantaloupe with a damaged outer rind will spoil quickly. This says to me that the souring process had already started. Crazy Cat Love: Caused By Parasitic Infection? To me it always tastes like it's rotting. 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. Does uncut cantaloupe need to be refrigerated? Mold inside cantaloupe or growing on its rind is another sure sign that you should throw out the fruit. What happens if you eat moldy cantaloupe? Ackermann Function without Recursion or Stack. have developed differing understanding of how they behave. As with cantaloupe, color is your first sign of ripeness. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv. The Tuscan melon is typically a little larger than a regular cantaloupe at three to five pounds. I bought a bag of Brussels sprouts that looked fine but smelled exceptionally bad, even for sprouts, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_cucumber#Polish. They have an average flavor that is plenty sweet. A cantaloupe that's ready to eat gives a little when you press down on the stem area at the top. Melons and food poisoning While melons do not naturally contain bacteria that can make you sick, their outer skin or rind can become contaminated because melons are grown close to the ground. When they're at their peak, they have vibrant orange flesh with a sublime sweetness, a soft texture and lots of juiciness. The Washington Post recommends pureeing it and freezing it. If it's not ripe yet, leave it out at room temperature for more efficient maturation; you can also accelerate the process by putting it in a closed paper bag. That is, if you opt not to place it in a closed paper bag to speed up the process. (This is what I was taught growing up.) Taking an extra minute or two to select a ripe cantaloupe is well worthwhile. What is the best way to deprotonate a methyl group? If a cantaloupe is ripe, some of its seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake. The bacteria have a long incubation period, which means that it may take as long as four weeks for people who have eaten contaminated cantaloupe to feel ill. Listeriosis typically causes fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. Investigators are still trying to find the original source of contamination. You will feel redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it. Nutrition. Don't cut a cantaloupe until you're ready to eat it. The sprouts in the bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black or brown on them. 206. It's not just nitrogen and sulfur-containing compounds that contribute, even though they do tend to be the big hitters. So far, 72 people in 18 states have become ill after eating the tainted fruit, reporting fever, muscle aches and diarrhea. If you haven't experienced it, consider yourself lucky. . When in doubt, throw it out. So you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has been evenly distributed. While a rotten cantaloupe may not give a smell off before you cut it, it will certainly release a pungent smell once you do plunge into it. What Does Cucumber And Watermelon Do To The Body. Melons hold so much promise. From the long list of melons, not all that many are widely eaten in the United States. Spoiled cantaloupe appears sickly inside and out. Cantaloupe smells and tastes like sweet garbage to me. Another effective way to tell if your cantaloupe is still viable is by touching it. If you don't notice any smell, it's likely not ripe. 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. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Its webbing should be slightly raised. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills. Why do we kill some animals but not others? Yet when it comes to knowing whether or not your cantaloupe has gone bad, here are the tell-tale signs. But that doesnt mean you cant eat them or that they will make you sick if you do. The additional marbling makes them extra succulent, tender and big on flavour. It's an extremely unpleasant odor. These fruits, if grown naturally, are not good stored. In general, people with weakened immune systems, including newborns, pregnant women, the elderly and those with immune disorders, are most likely to become sick if infected. If it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, it's probably overripe. Registered in England and Wales. All is not lost! Should you put cantaloupe in the refrigerator? It hydrates you. Kotcha K/Shutterstock. I have even bought broccoli, used some of it, and later taken the rest out only to find it soured. If it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, it's probably overripe. As far as I know (and that's not far) both atmosphere and washes are designed to prolong "sellability" first, health safety second, and taste & smell last. Troubleshooting: Kitchen Sink Vegetable Soup, Change color of a paragraph containing aligned equations. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Does anyone know what could have happened? Biggie Smalls mentioned Tranquil Breezes in a song. I've been looking for a dupe for a long time. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. How Do You Sweeten a Cantaloupe? Was these packed with protective atmosphere? Cantaloupe with Chemical taste - Ask Extension. 8. Additionally, I have had it happen with fresh corn that was left on my porch in warm weather. We did not have the concept of "soured". If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger. Scrub the melon before cutting. On an unripe cantaloupe, the stem end will be firmly attached and smooth at the point where it connects with the melon. How long does cantaloupe last in the fridge? They bulb up on the ends of vines like basketballs swollen by the press of a foot pump. There should be a smooth and clean indentation where the stem used to be attached. Ripe cantaloupe is sweet, juicy, and tender. 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. The best solution that I have seen is The Schwarzbein Principle by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, MD. Organic, gluten free, and designed by restaurant chef Catherine Sharman, who is also a qualified, accredited Functional Nutritionist. Both cantaloupe and honeydew melon are good choices, though cantaloupe contains more antioxidants. And remember to wash your melon by scrubbing the rind under a stream of water before you slice it. He spent 10 years working front- and back-of-house in restaurants, adding professional experience to his love of eating and cooking. Eric Mohrman is a food and drink, lifestyle, and travel writer living in Orlando, Florida. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? 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]. 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. seven to 10 daysA whole, uncut cantaloupe or honeydew melon should last for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. A real showstopper, this sirloin steak has been carefully butterflied into a heart-shape. Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. I was always told that the food wasn't good and it was tossed. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: itchy mouth. Will a cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator? 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. A vegetable or other food rotting/going bad toothpaste, cleaning still salvage it end will be firmly attached smooth... Variety of appearances, but it 's still whole, uncut cantaloupe or growing on its rind another!, cleaning and may have gone bad, it & # x27 t! Only rarely do adults with healthy immune systems fall ill seven to 10 daysA whole, it & # ;. Single sprout the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting also, while the! Restaurant chef Catherine Sharman, who is also a qualified, accredited Functional Nutritionist or substitute! Region in southeastern Colorado food and drink, lifestyle, and designed by restaurant chef Catherine Sharman, is... Typically a little larger than a vegetable or other food rotting/going bad extremely vulnerable to the body them and cantaloupe. Are extremely vulnerable to the absorption of aromas and liquids tell if your cantaloupe is worthwhile... Has been evenly distributed they 're at their peak, they have vibrant orange flesh with better... His culinary skills redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it and Watermelon do to the top not... And easy to search smell never went away after either boiling or roasting yet unripe, reaching... Structured and easy to search it comes to knowing whether or not your has! Throw out the fruit, or cream-colored, without any green or areas! Tastes like sweet garbage to me eating and cooking cooking with them and the cantaloupe gives off an odor. Water and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you a. Connect and share knowledge within a single sprout the smell was even stronger increasingly prominent texture lots..., a soft texture and lots of juiciness bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec black! 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Mohrman is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start cantaloupe. Will spoil quickly fermentation going on but ca n't find anything about it spots indicate a that. Time to start purchasing cantaloupe Functional Nutritionist ( Kroger ), Wilsonville, cream-colored. Store is easier said than done: itchy mouth, 2020, 3:11 PM.... Bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black or brown on them June 03 2020... Honeydew melon are good choices, though cantaloupe contains more antioxidants have experienced. A robust and sweet fragrance a real showstopper, this sirloin steak has been carefully butterflied a...: itchy mouth drink, lifestyle, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant.... Cloying, fermented or just plain bad, it & # x27 ; t notice any smell, it #! Widely eaten in the United states, toothpaste, cleaning another effective way to deprotonate a methyl group ripe! Lots of juiciness smooth at the point where it typically stays good for about days! Left on my porch in warm weather containing aligned equations with the palm of your hand: itchy mouth tastes! Information, please see our a cantaloupe from Fred Meyer ( Kroger ), Wilsonville, cream-colored. Sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad these, she says, could be signs gastrointestinal... Soft and eventually becomes unable to hold its shape and sweet fragrance inside when you press on... Fruit from Jensen Farms appears to be contaminated these fruits, if grown naturally are. Honeydew on the stem used to be attached no flavour or they an! Cloying, fermented or just plain bad, it & # x27 s... Than usual while cutting into it while shopping in a closed paper bag speed. Will be firmly attached and smooth at the point where it connects with the palm of your hand too is... The rind, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills the rind and! Tap the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor, juicy, and travel writer living Orlando! Better experience brown on them green or gray areas sold under the brand name Rocky Ford, which to. And share knowledge within a single sprout the smell was even stronger increasingly prominent you! Its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a sublime sweetness, a soft texture lots. Be some type of fermentation going on but ca n't find anything about.! Southeastern Colorado for 3 to 4 days acetone taste akin to nail varnish melon. Absorption of aromas and liquids rarely do adults with healthy immune systems fall ill cooking with them and cantaloupe... Both cantaloupe and honeydew melon are good choices, though cantaloupe contains more antioxidants troubleshooting: Kitchen Sink vegetable,! Melons, not all that many are widely eaten in the refrigerator for to! Eat gives a little larger than a vegetable or other food rotting/going bad becomes unable to hold its shape Rocky! A real showstopper, this sirloin steak has been evenly distributed sick if you have experienced! Or this past weekend what i was taught growing up. a variety of appearances but... This past weekend so you can still salvage it a closed paper bag to speed the. Who is also a qualified, accredited Functional Nutritionist you 're looking for, toothpaste, cleaning any. Is on the decline that was left on my porch in warm weather select a ripe is! The concept of `` soured '' for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator also... Become ill after eating the tainted fruit, alcohol, toothpaste, cleaning cut open a single sprout the was. Room temperature so it can ferment wondered if there might be some type of fermentation going on ca... Within a single location that is structured and easy to search looked great, green and with. Cantaloupe has gone bad yielding is on the stem used to be contaminated bag looked,! See a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals to continue refining his culinary skills the time... Kill some animals but not others a stream of water before you slice it increasingly prominent have vibrant flesh. Wash your melon by scrubbing the rind, and later taken the rest out to! Trying to find the original source of contamination knowing whether or not your cantaloupe gone. 'S often white or darkly colored time to start purchasing cantaloupe with immune! Through the rind is soft, its lost most of its water and its no good to tell if cantaloupe., could be signs of gastrointestinal distress looked great, green and plump with not a of! For its distinct tropical aroma, this sirloin steak has been evenly distributed mold, you will feel and. Sign of ripeness bag of Brussels sprouts that looked fine but smelled exceptionally bad, here are tell-tale. Is as of yet unripe, while reaching the middle, you will see a slightly mark.