Have you ever noticed white spots on cantaloupe and wondered what it means? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Spots on produce can mean a variety of things, but it isn’t always a sign of something bad. Still, it is important to know if white spots on cantaloupe could be an indicator of the fruit going rotten. Join us as we explore the issue of white spots on cantaloupe.
Table of Contents
- White Spots on Cantaloupe
- Mold on Cantaloupe
- How Can You Tell If a Cantaloupe Has Gone Bad?
- What Does a Good Cantaloupe Look Like?
- White Spots on Cantaloupe: Take Notice
White Spots on Cantaloupe
Despite being unsightly in appearance, spots that appear on produce aren’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, the fruit is simply bruised or has developed a few patches but is perfectly safe to eat.
Other times, patches that appear on fruit, and specifically white patches on cantaloupe, can mean that the fruit is growing mold and probably shouldn’t be eaten.
If you notice white spots on the exterior of your cantaloupe, give the cantaloupe a good squeeze. A good cantaloupe may give slightly, but generally, your cantaloupe shouldn’t give too much.
If you notice that your cantaloupe is soft when squeezed, is mushy, or has an otherwise unsightly appearance along with the white patches, you are better off not purchasing, or eating, this particular melon.
White Spots on Cantaloupe Flesh
Does your cantaloupe have white spots on its flesh? If so, you may wish to avoid eating it.
White spots on the flesh of cantaloupe could mean a variety of things, but if you aren’t sure, don’t take the risk.
Although eating mold does not always hurt you, the truth is that some mold types can. If you choose to eat a melon that is showing signs of rotting you run the risk of developing foodborne illness as many instances of food poisoning are caused by fresh produce.
Having said this, it is important to understand that not all white spots on the flesh of cantaloupe mean mold. Sometimes fruits develop spots on their flesh for completely benign reasons. If you do notice white spots on the flesh of the fruit, it may be best to check for other signs of spoilage as well.
Signs of spoilage include:
- Bruised Skin or Flesh
- Wrinkling Skin
- Mushy Flesh
- Discolored Flesh
- Insects
- Mold Growth
White Spots on Cantaloupe Flesh OK to Eat?
You could take that risk, but be careful.
Eating the flesh of a fruit that looks abnormal could be safe, but you need to be sure that the fruit actually is safe before eating it.
If you are unsure, it is always best to avoid eating the fruit.
If, however, the white spots on the flesh of your cantaloupe don’t appear to be mold and appear to be only in one particular location of the fruit, you may consider cutting the infected part out and eating the rest of your cantaloupe.
Still, if you notice that the majority of the cantaloupe flesh is covered in white spots or that there are other signs of spoilage that indicate your cantaloupe has gone bad, be sure to pitch the melon and avoid eating it. Doing so will help you avoid the risks of getting sick from having consumed a potentially rotten cantaloupe.
Mold on Cantaloupe
Remember, consuming some types of mold may not hurt you–but some types certainly will.
With this in mind, it is important to avoid consuming mold on fruits, especially if you have a sensitivity to mold or have other respiratory sensitivities, such as asthma.
Mold on cantaloupe can show up in a variety of hues including white, pink, blue, and black. Thus, it is important to be able to identify these types of mold and avoid eating them when you can.
Black Spots on Cantaloupe
If you notice black spots on cantaloupe, pay very close attention.
Unlike answering simple questions about fruit like, “How to clean grapes?” we can’t give you a step-by-step on how to wash away black spots from cantaloupe. That’s because black spots on cantaloupe could mean that the fruit is rotting or is infected with a disease of sorts. And because some molds are black, it is possible that the mold occurring is a toxic black mold that is known to cause deadly infections.
If you notice black spots on your cantaloupe before purchasing it or after having brought it home, it is best to avoid the fruit rather than try to eat it because of the risks associated with black spots and mold on cantaloupe.
How Can You Tell If a Cantaloupe Has Gone Bad?
If you pick up your cantaloupe and it looks funny, feels light in your hands, sounds hollow, or is soft when squeezed, the melon is likely depleted of water and has gone bad.
Bruising, wrinkling, mold, and a smell of fermentation are also signs that your cantaloupe is no longer safe for consumption.
What Does Bad Cantaloupe Look Like?
Just as weird-looking mangoes can leave you wondering, “How to Tell if Mango is Bad? you may also wonder what a bad cantaloupe looks like.
Cantaloupe that has gone bad will look unsightly with wrinkles, sunken spots, and mushy flesh.
Moreover, rotting cantaloupe may have a fruity fermenting smell associated with it going rancid. The cantaloupe’s flesh will likely also be mushy and unappetizing.
What Does a Good Cantaloupe Look Like?
Good cantaloupe will typically be firm to the touch, have a pleasant aroma at the stem core (where it has been cut), and will be void of discolored black, pink, white, or blue patches that could be indicators of mold.
If you smell a melon at its stem core, be sure to note if the smell is displeasing or if there isn’t a smell at all. The former is a sign that the cantaloupe has gone bad while the latter is an indicator that the melon is underripe.
White Spots on Cantaloupe: Take Notice
Generally speaking, spots on cantaloupe often mean nothing, however, spots that are black, sunken, bruised, or appear as white mold can be indicators that the fruit is rotting or is diseased.
Rather than take the risk, it is best to look for a cantaloupe that is firm to the touch, feels heavier in the palm, contains no discoloration or signs of mold, and has a nice sweet smell at the stem core. These are all indicators that your cantaloupe melon is ripe and ready to eat.
