How Long Does A Pumpkin Last (And Why)?

How Long Does A Pumpkin Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: Up to 12 weeks

The shelf life of Pumpkin would be around 12 weeks if it’s healthy without any diseases during the harvesting time. The quality of the pumpkin would play a huge role in predicting its shelf life. Other factors such as the size, storage, and age of the pumpkin would affect the shelf life of the pumpkin.

The top-quality pumpkin would last for around 12 weeks if stored properly. The normal quality pumpkin would not last for more than 2 weeks. The low-quality pumpkins with diseases would go bad in just 5 days. If someone stores the pumpkin in temperature between 52 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, then the pumpkin would last for a long time.

How Long Does A Pumpkin Last

How Long Does A Pumpkin Last?

PumpkinTime
In weeks12 weeks
In days84 days

If the pumpkin was in good condition before it was picked up, then the pumpkin would stay good for 10 to 12 weeks. If someone stored the pumpkin at a hot temperature, then it would not stay good for more than 2 to 7 days. The pumpkin needs a cool temperature to stay fresh for more than 7 days.

Everyone should avoid keeping the pumpkin in moisture-rich places, as it would host bacterial infection. The bacteria can increase in numbers when they get heat and moisture.

Therefore, keeping the pumpkin in the fridge can be a good choice. Inside the fridge, the pumpkin won’t be able to spoil faster due to no bacteria or moisture. In-room temperature, the pumpkin would not last for more than 5 to 7 days. The pumpkin would start changing its color and texture when it is about to go bad.

If someone is getting a raw pumpkin, then it would take some time to get ripe. Everyone should wait for the ripening of the pumpkin before storing it in the fridge. In the freezer, the pumpkin can last for more than 12 weeks. People should avoid storing the pumpkin with any other vegetables as some vegetables may get spoiled faster.

Then spoiled vegetables would make the pumpkin spoil faster. People should not skip putting the pumpkin in an air-tight plastic bag as it would prevent the pumpkin from ice crystals inside the freezer.

People can also store the slices of pumpkin. The pumpkin in its whole form would last the longest as the outer coating of the pumpkin would work as a protective shield.

Why Does A Pumpkin Last This Long?

The shelf life of the pumpkin would be no more than 5 to 7 days if they are stored without any safe storage techniques. Storing a big pumpkin in the fridge is quite difficult. Therefore, many people choose to store the pumpkin in half cut or small sliced form.

The small sliced form of the pumpkin can be frozen inside the freezer and used for months without any spoilage symptoms. Everyone can take out the pumpkin at room temperature and allow it to thaw for a few minutes. Defrosting of pumpkin should be done for around 15 to 45 minutes depending on the preference of the person.

The pumpkin stays in the orange or yellow color. If somebody observes the pumpkin has become extremely dry, then it should not be used in cooking recipes. If someone is purchasing the frozen pumpkin from the market, then it may be stored for a limited time period, as they are already been frozen for some time period.

The person should check the packaging of the frozen pumpkin to know the expiry date of the pumpkin. Sometimes, the pumpkin may stay good even after the best before the date is passed. In that case, people should check the smell, color, and texture of the pumpkin before using it in the food.

Conclusion

The shelf life of the pumpkin at room temperature would be 5 to 7 days. In summer, the pumpkin would not last for more than 2 to 5 days at room temperature. The pumpkin would stay fresh in the fridge for around 7 to 14 days.

Everyone should try to purchase the top quality and fresh pumpkins for making them last longer. Expired pumpkins can cause foodborne illnesses which may be life-threatening for some people.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021863483710164
  2. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/medicinal-and-biological-potential-of-pumpkin-an-updated-review/614835C9F2CABAAAFD5E7925A72E7F9F

Last Updated : 23 February, 2024

dot 1
One request?

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *