Why does melon sprout and can it be eaten?

It's hot weather... Domestic markets offer an abundance of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. And almost everyone finds a melon at the stalls—a delicious, sweet, juicy, and yellow beauty. We bring it home, wash it, cut it open, and then... Have you ever encountered a situation where a melon sprouted inside itself? It's not really that scary; it happens. Let's try to figure out why this happens and whether it's safe to eat.

Content

1 Reasons for germination
2 Can you eat sprouted melon?
3 Video: How to Choose a Melon

Reasons for germination

In fact, if you notice that the seeds inside have already sprouted shoots, whether small or sometimes quite large, this indicates, first and foremost, improper storage. Moreover, it's practically impossible to detect this side effect visually, as there are often no external damage, cracks, or holes. Naturally, if the fruit doesn't have the characteristic melon aroma, is unappealing, or is damaged, it's not recommended to buy it.

The second reason for this problem is shelf life, as not every variety has a very long shelf life. If you purchase fruit and leave it in the refrigerator for two weeks, it will sprout. Mid-season and late-season varieties have the longest shelf life. The shelf life ranges from approximately six months if storage conditions are adequate. If you bought an early variety and left it unattended, you won't be surprised by sprouted grains - they need to be eaten immediately.

It's also important to ensure proper storage of melons at home. Remember, they may have been stored on a tray for some time before being refrigerated. Don't hesitate to inquire about the harvest time. Melons prefer humidity levels of up to 80% and temperatures of 2-4 degrees Celsius (3-4 degrees Fahrenheit). If these standards aren't met, sprouts inside the melon can become common. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or warm conditions, especially if the temperature exceeds 23°C (73°F). Melon seeds begin to germinate as early as the seventh day, even if the shell is intact.

Can you eat sprouted melon?

If your melons have sprouted and you noticed this as soon as you brought them home from the market and cut them open, it means they have been sitting around for quite some time, or the sellers have been artificially ripening them.

In general, they are edible. They can also be sprouted at home, provided the storage conditions are not met. These fruits are also edible. However, they often lose their flavor and may become hard or bitter.

In fact, sprouting can surprise you, especially with pumpkins and zucchini—anything with seeds inside. This also means a poor shelf life and a longer shelf life. They can still be eaten, but, as with sprouted melons, they will lose some of their flavor and appearance. In any case, storing fruits and vegetables properly can prevent such problems. However, sometimes cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, and melons can sprout inside themselves.

Even homemade ones. This happens because bad seeds are encountered before the germination stage. In any case, they're edible as long as they remain tasty and attractive.

Video: How to Choose a Melon

This video will show you how to choose the right melon.