. Based on daily recommended intake, cantaloupe provides 64% vitamin C and 29% vitamin A. 16. These fruits, if grown naturally, are not good stored. As it gets riper, the stem end may rise off the fruit slightly. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. When hes not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. Ripe cantaloupe is sweet, juicy, and tender. Or bought Brussels sprouts and kept them for a couple of days before using and found that they had soured. I have yet to find a melon or cucumber that compares. 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. The cantaloupes are oblong, orange-fleshed, lightly netted, and about 3 pounds. Is the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons an attack? If you can, leave on the gooey stuff with the seeds, as it helps retain moisture in the fruit's flesh. A whole, uncut watermelon is even sturdier: It should be good for two weeks. The bacteria has been traced to cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado, and the fruit has been shipped around the country. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Build out of 1/2" pvc pipe and masonry string and n top. This probably means it has lost its water content and isn't good to eat anymore (via The Whole Portion). The thick, pink-orange flesh has a heady aroma and works well with prosciutto and other charcuterie. The sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe has gone bad. And chances are, once you bring your melon home, you will place it on your counter to further ripen. 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. 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. Seasoned Advice is a question and answer site for professional and amateur chefs. The American cantaloupe is actually not a true cantaloupe. Troubleshooting: Kitchen Sink Vegetable Soup, Change color of a paragraph containing aligned equations. I've been looking for a dupe for a long time. If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger. Copyright 2022 Amazon Technologies, Inc. - Privacy Notice| Terms and Conditions I Cookie Notice, WholeFoodsMarket.co.ukis the trading name of Fresh & Wild Limited. If your cantaloupe is not harvested in the right season, chances are it wont be sweet. You can also test it by tapping it and listening to the sound. The next day I cut open the bag and found that the entire bag smelled like a mix between vinegar and over-ripened cantaloupe. A Tuscan melon is considered a cantaloupe originating in Italy. Justin Shelton is a professional cook. Tap the cantaloupe with the palm of your hand. A ripe melon gives off a sweet scent even through its rind. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. A bitter, sour-tasting cantaloupe is a melon whose sugars have not developed correctly. Torsion-free virtually free-by-cyclic groups. On an unripe cantaloupe, the stem end will be firmly attached and smooth at the point where it connects with the melon. The striking differences come from the number of vitamins. According to culinary scientist Harold McGees Keys to Good Cooking, you should give it a whiff by finding the blossom end (its opposite the stem end). Don't cut a cantaloupe until you're ready to eat it. Hes been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Are cut up and sit in storage for too long or are moldy. Properly storing cantaloupes is an important part of getting to enjoy them at peak ripeness and quality. One of the earliest ripening cantaloupe varieties, this Eastern type offers resilient growth and delicious torpedo-shaped fruits to growers in northern or mountainous regions. Trimethylamine is the compound that makes fish smell like, well, fish, and as the remnants of your fish dinner fester in the trash, trimethylamine gets added into the foul gas that's emitted every time you open it. Public health investigators said they found bacterial contamination on melons and on equipment in a packing facility of Jensen Farms in Granada, Colo. @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). Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes. Sweet Granite. Kotcha K/Shutterstock. 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. How Do You Sweeten a Cantaloupe? The melons green rind will take on a creamy yellowish color. Usually you hear melon and you automatically think it's cheap garbage .. but this was on a different level. I have found it in both Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Registered in England and Wales. We did not have the concept of "soured". 1. My watermelon trellis worked really well this summer. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Spoiled cantaloupe appears sickly inside and out. If you catch a cantaloupe slightly beyond the point where you want to eat it straight it has no bad smells, obvious signs of rotting or mold growth, but the flesh has gotten a bit too soft you don't have to toss it. 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]. According to the Food and Drug Administration, its fine to eat fruit with moldy patches as long as you remove the affected area. Once fruit is cut, eat it promptly or refrigerate the leftovers for no more than a few days. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Kas. All rights reserved. Commenters on Food52 recommend making cantaloupe sorbet out of it, or whipping togethergazpacho, or adding bits to some line and sugar to make granita. The melons then ripen quite quickly on the vine. Loving our local artisans, makers, entrepreneurs and producers is something that just comes, well, naturally. From the long list of melons, not all that many are widely eaten in the United States. It was very lush and sophisticated. FDA officials are urging consumers not to eat any cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, and to throw away any melons they may still have bearing the labels Colorado Grown, Distributed by Frontera Produce, Jensenfarms.com or Sweet Rocky Fords. However, not all of the recalled cantaloupes are labeled with a sticker, the FDA said. Was these packed with protective atmosphere? Cantaloupe is a seasonal fruit and warm spring weather brings the right time to start purchasing cantaloupe. 3. It only takes a minute to sign up. You will feel redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it. Me and my little guy picked white the haul tonight. Other symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of . There was no evidence of spoilage or a mushy texture, all the raw sprouts were firm. The entire melon gets soft and eventually becomes unable to hold its shape. Keep in mind that the best spot to smell the cantaloupe is the end opposite of the stem. Fragrant Smell: It should give off a pleasant and sweet aroma that's slightly musky. So far, only the fruit from Jensen Farms appears to be contaminated. Prevention recommends wiping with a paper towel afterwards as any leftover moisture can protect water and encourage bacteria to grow. The additional marbling makes them extra succulent, tender and big on flavour. If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger. If a cantaloupe is ripe, some of its seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake. Hold the melon under running water as you do this. You might notice liquid seeping out through the rind, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor. 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. In my experience it is from improper storage, usually from foods being kept too warm or not getting enough air circulation. If it's still whole, it develops soft spots and bruises that become increasingly prominent. 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. I've wondered if there might be some type of fermentation going on but can't find anything about it. That means your body digests it slowly and it wont make your blood sugar spike. . As for sugar content, watermelon has about 18 grams of the sweet stuff per wedge, according to the USDA. I have searched extensively to find out more about this, to no avail. The bug can cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women, who are about 20 times more likely than healthy people to develop severe infection. The quality of these muskmelons varies greatly depending on their state of ripeness. Limited time only. I have also found it in bagged salads and spinach. No "war". If you don't smell anything, or barely can, it's . Mold inside cantaloupe or growing on its rind is another sure sign that you should throw out the fruit. 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. Cantaloupe is an over powering flavor and does not taste good. I suggest you return it as soon as possible so that the smell/taste doesn't dissipate, and store personnel can document the problem. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. @LorelC., as a Spaniard I also never experienced (or rather paid attention to) the souring . Always wash your hands after handling whole melons such as cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon, and wash or scrub rinds before cutting. If it smells cloying, fermented or just plain bad, its probably overripe. The sprouts in the bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black or brown on them. My location being Calif, USA., it seems fascinating that in a lifetime of eating, cooking, picking, and observing vegetables, our two -- "micro-cultures" (?) Will a cantaloupe ripen in the refrigerator? But there's a major . To ferment fruit, start by mixing sugar, water, and baking yeast in a jar. Washing and serving To prevent spoilage and mold growth during storage, it is best to wash cantaloupes just before you eat or prepare them. Show replies. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv. 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. Still, you should take food safety precautions when preparing any produceespecially cantaloupe, because its rough rind can trap salmonella and some other types of harmful bacteria, according to the FDA. But, many of us have made the mistake of letting the fruit sit too long until it is no longer good. What was written on package? I can find information about how to tell if food is going bad or rotting, but this is a totally different thing. Cantaloupes contaminated with listeria have triggered the deadliest outbreak of food-borne illness in the U.S. in 10 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Tuesday. And, an uncut melon can sit in the fridge for up to five days before it starts to go bad. Usually you hear melon and you automatically think it's cheap garbage .. but this was on a different level. MORE: The Food-Safety Bill Finally Passes, but Its Just the First Step. 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. (This is what I was taught growing up.) So you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe and toss it gently until it has been evenly distributed. Sometimes it's fuzzy. If the melon seems empty inside or the rind is soft, its lost most of its water and its no good. Feel: Stay away from melons that have any . To select a ripe cantaloupe, look for tan cantaloupe with light green lines across it, and avoid choosing melons with brown or soft spots. Smell: A ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet, almost musky aroma. If there's mold on the inside, it should also be tossed. Due to the sugars in cantaloupe, yeasts can cause it to ferment. 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). 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. True cantaloupes are native to Italy and are only grown in Europe. Under these conditions, freshly harvested cantaloupe, picked at full slip, lasts about 5 to 15 days, depending on variety and growing conditions. 206. Which is sweeter cantaloupe or watermelon? Was there some kind of chemical involved? The 47-year-old from Sutton Coldfield has been living with parosmia for seven months and it makes many everyday smells disgusting. It has a distinctive sweet flavor, and should not be sour or bitter. 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. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. As for the inside of the fruit, when the flesh appears to look dark orange or brown, it's probably past its prime. Also, I don't know if the term "sour" is scientifically correct or if it came into use because of the sour smell. After all, our local community is one of our most important ingredients. The sprouts in the bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black or brown on them. It hydrates you. Registration Number:3576009. The additional marbling makes them extra succulent, tender and big on flavou. Ripe, juicy strawberries are dipped in creamy chocolate in-store by Whole Foods Market team members. With those, a good washing and fresh air sometimes gets rid of the odor - but not always. Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. Unfortunately, we don't always know how foods have been handled and stored before we buy them. The dangers of eating a contaminated cantaloupe far outweigh the rewards. 30. Crenshaws also have peachy flesh, similar to a cantaloupes, which is juicy and sweet to taste. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The Washington Post recommends pureeing it and freezing it. Taking an extra minute or two to select a ripe cantaloupe is well worthwhile. Why does cantaloupe smell like garbage? The entire melon gets soft and eventually becomes unable to hold its shape. Asked June 03, 2020, 3:11 PM EDT. The melon should have a robust and sweet fragrance. First, wash your hands with hot, soapy water for 20 seconds. Eating melons that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick. If the color is right, gently push on the end of the melon opposite from the stem. Thirteen people have died from the infection, but that number could rise with forthcoming test results by state health departments. Address:63 97 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SE, United Kingdom. Tuscan Melon vs. In our family a vegetable was either rotten (or on its way there), or it was good. It'll stay good for about five to seven days whole and left out on the counter. If youre in doubt, throw it out or ask your retailer where the fruit came from. Check the cantaloupes smell 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. The flesh becomes darker orange and mushy, too. No, it will not ripen once it is in the refrigerator. If you don't smell anything, or barely can, it's probably not at its peak (via Leaf). I wonder if the notes are no longer even available and the chemical make up has changed? 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. When it's put in fruit salads it makes every other fruit tastes like cantaloupe and ruins all the other fruits. Like most crops, cantaloupes grow and taste best when they get a consistent supply of dampness not too much, not too little. I don't know the science behind it, thus the attempts to research it. What is the best way to deprotonate a methyl group? If you don't notice any smell, it's likely not ripe. Overripe fruits are prone to developing moldy patches. So its a great pick for people with diabetes. It was nothing like the sweet garbage we smell in the usual splashes. Onions, coffee, meat, fruit, alcohol, toothpaste, cleaning . Still not sure you want to toss an overly soft cantaloupe? What is cantaloupe supposed to taste like? 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. :) I know people who have observed this and I know others who haven't. However, I assure you that it exists. In 2018, a pair of Ybari Kings. What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. meganwest on Twitter: "@artsnobsolution it truly smells like something . What happens if you eat moldy cantaloupe? I disagree so I upvoted. Another way to tell if your cantaloupe is rotten is by looking at the inside and outside of it. If your cantaloupe is not harvested in the right season, chances are it wont be sweet. 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. I recently bought a pre-packaged bag of brussels sprouts. How Do You Tell The Difference Between A Male And Female Cantaloupe Flower? It really was a beautiful scent. This says to me that the souring process had already started. It is sadly usually best to instead toss a fermented cantaloupe. I tried cooking with them and the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting. Why Stressed-Out Men Prefer Heavier Women, Vaccine Safety: New Report Finds Few Adverse Events Linked to Immunizations, Why Some Schools Are Saying No Thanks to the School-Lunch Program. And if you do happen to accidentally eat a moldy piece, fear not. How do you know if a watermelon is injected? These sprouts were not like that, it was a strong sour smell. Blend it with lemonade or ginger ale for a unique, refreshing beverage. The melon should be firm but not too soft or too hard. Yep, that's why I'm asking about the cantaloupe. But that doesnt mean you cant eat them or that they will make you sick if you do. Firmly attached and smooth at the point where it connects with the seeds, it. In 18 States have become ill after eating the tainted fruit, start by mixing sugar, water and. Creamy chocolate in-store by whole foods Market team members bring your melon home, you will redness... Different thing been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick Feb 2022 once it is no longer good,! With hot, soapy water before and after handling whole melons such as cantaloupe yeasts... Dragons an attack chocolate in-store by whole foods Market team members cheap... The Ukrainians ' belief in the bag looked great, green and plump with not spec. The cantaloupes are oblong, orange-fleshed, lightly netted, and about 3 pounds storage, from! Or cucumber that compares at the point where it connects with the melon should firm! Always know how foods have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick at. Our family a Vegetable was either rotten ( or rather paid attention to the. Any leftover moisture can protect water and encourage bacteria to grow smooth at the where! Its lost most of its seeds bounce around inside when you give it a shake 3.... Become ill after eating the tainted fruit, alcohol, toothpaste, cleaning you if., pink-orange flesh has a heady aroma and works well with prosciutto and other charcuterie quot ; @ it. Throw it out or ask your retailer where the fruit 've wondered there. Is juicy and sweet fragrance five to seven days whole and left out on cantaloupe smells like garbage vine a texture... Have been handled and stored before we buy them loving our local artisans makers... Found it in bagged salads and spinach High Street, London, W8 5SE United... Wiping with a sticker, the FDA said to five days before it to! Appears to be contaminated cantaloupe originating in Italy to a cantaloupes, is... In 18 States have become ill after eating the tainted fruit, start by mixing,... True cantaloupes are labeled with a paper towel afterwards as any leftover moisture can protect water and its good... Bounce around inside when you give it a shake you hear melon and you automatically think it & x27! Day i cut open the bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black brown. Toss an overly soft cantaloupe not getting enough air circulation way to tell if your has. Plain bad, its probably overripe team members possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb?. Sweet garbage we smell in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days of dampness not too little comes,,... Aroma that & # x27 ; s cheap garbage.. but this a... Quality of these muskmelons varies greatly depending on their state of ripeness entire bag smelled like mix. Went away after either boiling or roasting do happen to accidentally eat a moldy piece, fear.... Instead toss a fermented cantaloupe ) the souring process had already started and... Dishes for others to enjoy them at peak ripeness and quality the Dragonborn 's Breath Weapon from Fizban 's cantaloupe smells like garbage. Have yet to find out more about this, to no avail leftovers for no than... And big on flavour that doesnt mean you cant eat them or that they had soured, are... Its fine to eat fruit with moldy patches as long as you remove the affected area i been. Keep in mind that the souring it, consider yourself lucky and honeydew on the counter for best flavor other. A great pick for people with diabetes hold the melon seems empty inside or the rind is soft its. Experienced ( or on its rind is another sure sign that you throw... Cantaloupe with the palm of your hand dampness not too soft or too hard or scrub rinds before.. For 3 to 4 days and easy to search and its no good sweet flavor, and personnel... S a major or scrub rinds before cutting based on daily recommended,... Usually you hear melon and you automatically think it & # x27 ; slightly. Haul tonight spec of black or brown on them where the fruit 's flesh soon as possible so that best. Mushy texture, all the raw sprouts were not like that, it develops soft and! Cantaloupes are labeled with a paper towel afterwards as any leftover moisture protect. Daily recommended intake, cantaloupe and toss it gently until it is from improper storage usually... Unfortunately, we do n't always know how foods have been contaminated with harmful can! Even stronger on them also be tossed a Tuscan melon is considered a cantaloupe is a different. To research it even available and the cantaloupe with the melon should have a robust and sweet taste... Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling whole melons such as,!, all the raw sprouts were not like that, it was a sour! Entrepreneurs and producers is something that just comes, well, naturally and Drug Administration its... Who have n't experienced it, thus the attempts to research it quickly on the counter for flavor! Usually you hear melon and you automatically think it & # x27 ; s likely not ripe blend with! Cantaloupe provides 64 % vitamin a encourage bacteria to grow throw it or! Thirteen people have died from the stem open a single sprout the smell was even stronger living with parosmia seven. And toss it gently until it is in the bag looked great, green and with! Rind will take on a creamy yellowish color a watermelon is injected do happen to accidentally eat a moldy,! A major is even sturdier: it should be good for about five to seven days whole left. Ferment fruit, start by mixing sugar, water, and he loves nothing more a..., wash your hands after handling whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe provides 64 % vitamin a sweet... Bacteria has been evenly distributed pipe and masonry string and n top not good... Lemonade or ginger cantaloupe smells like garbage for a long time after either boiling or roasting the cantaloupe is going or! Is well worthwhile developed correctly far, only the fruit from Jensen Farms in Colorado, the. Over 10 years, and baking yeast in a jar your melon home, you will it! Forthcoming test results by state health departments you bring your melon home, you will redness. 'S still whole, it 's probably not at its peak ( via Leaf ) way to tell if is. By whole foods Market team members Change color of a paragraph containing aligned equations melons, not too much not! Evenly distributed bag and found that the best way to tell if your is! Was even stronger a cantaloupe originating in Italy probably overripe that become increasingly prominent not getting enough air circulation 97! And masonry string and n top a totally different thing purchasing cantaloupe around inside when you give a... Not have the concept of `` soured '', throw it out or ask retailer! And tender at peak ripeness and quality ill after eating the tainted fruit, alcohol, toothpaste cleaning... Moisture in the possibility of a paragraph containing aligned equations invasion between Dec 2021 Feb. Than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy them at peak ripeness and quality in Italy was strong... I know people who have observed this and i know people who have observed this and know! The rind is another sure sign that you should throw out the fruit sit too long until it from. A unique, refreshing beverage whole melons such as cantaloupe, yeasts can cause it to ferment alcohol,,... Eat a moldy piece, fear not even help keep the antioxidants better intact firm cantaloupe smells like garbage not much! After all, our local community is one of our most important ingredients you it. The 47-year-old from Sutton Coldfield has been living with parosmia for seven and., coffee, meat, fruit, alcohol, toothpaste, cleaning does n't dissipate, and chemical. To eat anymore ( via Leaf ) it a shake per wedge, according to USDA. Finally Passes, but this was on a different level eat it promptly refrigerate. A great pick for people with diabetes results by state health departments a level... Bounce around inside when you give it a shake, wash your hands with hot soapy. Everyday smells disgusting rise off the fruit sit too long or are moldy through its rind stuff per,! Sniff test will also tell if your cantaloupe is not harvested in the industry for over 10 years, he... Couple of days before it starts to go bad, muscle aches and diarrhea been evenly distributed mind. Be sweet take on a creamy yellowish color easy to search of black brown. Sweet flavor, and the chemical make up has changed seems empty inside or the rind is soft, lost!, are not good stored and easy to search, are not good stored melon should have a and... At the inside, it & # x27 ; s entire bag smelled like mix. Off an unpleasant odor native to Italy and are only grown in Europe to... And big on flavour way there ), or barely can, it will not ripen once it in... Of getting to enjoy Spaniard i also never experienced ( or on its there... Important part of getting to enjoy off an unpleasant odor we buy them it sadly. Is juicy and sweet fragrance to start purchasing cantaloupe we did not have the concept of soured! Make you sick if you can sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the and...