The weather is hot, and everyone likes to eat watermelon to cool down. For better taste, it's common to cut the watermelon, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Is this the right way to do it? Recently, there have been reports that eating watermelon wrapped in plastic wrap can be fatal. Is this true? How can you store watermelon to reduce bacterial growth? How can you eat watermelon healthily?
Experts explain that after wrapping in plastic wrap, a relatively sealed space is formed between the fruit and the wrap. This environment provides better conditions for bacteria to multiply. So, should you still wrap watermelon in plastic wrap?
In response, experts say that if there is a dedicated space in the refrigerator for the watermelon that won't cause odor transfer or moisture loss, it is not recommended to cover it with plastic wrap.
Watermelon is best eaten immediately after cutting. When refrigerating, it's best not to wrap it in plastic wrap. Just place it directly in a refrigerated drawer, and do not store it for more than 24 hours.
It is essential to keep the fruit knife separate from the kitchen knife.
If you use a knife that was used to cut meat to cut watermelon, it may not only have bacteria but also pathogenic bacteria. Remember to scald the knife with boiling water repeatedly before cutting the watermelon.
It's best to wash the watermelon again before eating, or use a clean fruit knife to cut off the part of the flesh that was in contact with the plastic wrap or the air.
If the watermelon is covered in plastic wrap, it is best stored in a refrigerator at 0°C-4°C. This environment can inhibit the rate of bacterial reproduction.