Rumor Refutation：Eat Watermelon Scientifically and Safely

So, how to eat watermelon scientifically and safely?

1. Buy fresh and whole watermelons

It is recommended to avoid purchasing pre-cut watermelons as it is unclear how long they have been stored.

2. Use clean tools for cutting watermelon

If the fruit knife and cutting board are contaminated with bacteria, it will affect the quality of the watermelon. It is best to use a dedicated fruit knife and avoid mixing it with a kitchen knife. Ensure the knife and cutting board are clean before cutting the watermelon, preferably by rinsing the knife with boiling water repeatedly.

3. Store at room temperature for no more than 3 hours

In high temperatures, regardless of whether plastic wrap is used, a large number of bacteria will proliferate within about 6 hours. Within 3 hours, there will be minimal bacterial growth, so it is best to cut and eat the watermelon immediately.

4. Proper refrigeration storage

Using plastic wrap is still a good method to prevent cross-contamination and flavor mixing of ingredients. However, if there is a separate storage space for watermelon in the refrigerator that does not cause flavor mixing or moisture loss, it is not recommended to cover it with plastic wrap. The refrigerated storage time should not exceed 24 hours.

5. Remove the outer layer before reheating

Bacteria mainly proliferate on the outer surface of the cut, while the inner layers have a lower bacterial reproduction rate. Therefore, it is safer to remove about 1cm of the outer skin layer before reheating.