Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, cantaloupe, like a lot of other fresh fruits, usually do not have a use by date or a best by date so you will have to use the date purchased or date picked.

How to tell if Cantaloupe is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

A common trait of a bad cantaloupe is a very soft shape and exaggeration of any bruises, which signifies an overripe melon. Older melons get very soft and juicy making them difficult to eat fresh, but they will still actually make a great smoothie at this point. Mold is also a possibility on a whole melon and should be avoided. If there is any visible mold, be sure to cut off that section plus 1-2 inches around the entire area.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Cantaloupe to extend its shelf life?

A whole cantaloupe is best kept on the counter until ready to cut open. Once ripe, it can be placed into the refrigerator.

Cut fruits should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for extended shelf life. The juice leaks from fresh cut cantaloupe fairly quickly and cut pieces will become mushy if left to sit in their juices for longer than about 5 days. After this time, they can generally be eaten for a few more days, but after this change in consistency will then come a change in color then flavor toward the undesirable and then will come a change in aroma from the pleasant to the unpleasant.

For a long term storage option, cantaloupe can be sliced or balled and frozen in freezer safe airtight containers. Once thawed, the color will be slightly darker and the consistency will be slightly softer. Freezing is not really recommended for these reasons, but it is a safe and viable storage option.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Cantaloupe good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does cantaloupe last? That depends. How long does honeydew last? In general, foods last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish with which they are mixed.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Cantaloupe lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Cantaloupe.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Cantaloupe shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!