Watermelon can stay fresh for up to two weeks longer if it is kept whole rather than cut, according to advice reported by Martha Stewart. Senior food technologist Isabella Maczko said the storage rules change the moment the fruit is sliced open.
Maczko explained that a watermelon's rind acts as a protective barrier, keeping the flesh from contact with oxygen, which eventually causes it to spoil. Her main tip is simple: leave the watermelon whole for as long as possible and only cut it right before eating.
Storing cut watermelon
Once the rind is cut, the fruit's flesh becomes vulnerable to spoilage because of its high water content, Maczko said, which makes storage conditions far more important.
Any cut watermelon should be covered and refrigerated immediately to preserve its freshness for as long as possible, the publication noted. Small pieces, such as chunks or wedges, are easy to store in airtight containers. Larger pieces, like a half or a quarter of the fruit, are trickier because more surface is exposed, but only the cut surface needs to be covered, not the rind.
Plastic wrap is a good option because it seals tightly against the fruit, the publication said. Beeswax wraps offer similar protection, and in a pinch, even a clean shower cap can work.
How long watermelon keeps
A whole watermelon can sit safely on the kitchen counter at room temperature for one to two weeks, according to the advice. Storing it in the refrigerator can extend that by a further two weeks.
For cut watermelon, how it is sliced affects how long it lasts. Maczko said cut watermelon can keep in the refrigerator for three to seven days. Larger pieces tend to last closer to seven days, while cubes or wedges can start showing signs of spoilage after just three days.
She added that leaving the rind on, even after the fruit has been cut, helps it last longer. Keeping the rind attached reduces the flesh's contact with air and continues to act as a protective barrier, she said.
Other food storage tips
The same publication also offered advice on brewing mint tea so it comes out aromatic and flavourful, noting that fresh mint tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it well suited to evening relaxation.
Separately, experts explained how to cook fluffy rice, advising that rice should be rinsed several times in cool water before it goes into the pot.
