Does Rambutan Go Bad?

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.

Rambutan is a subtropical fruit that comes in the family of lychee. It similar to the lychee so, their characteristics and shelf life will also be the same. Rambutan has a similar outermost covering like lychee. The only difference is that it has long hairs on its outer cover. But the fruit that is inside is the same in both.

The shelf life of rambutan is similar to that of lychee. Rambutan is rare fruit, and you will not find it everywhere. It can go bad very quickly if you do not take care of it. The preservation tips, along with the shelf life and spoilage of rambutan, are discussed briefly in this article.

Table of Contents

How to Store Rambutan?

Let’s start the topic with the storage tips as we know that rambutan has a limited shelf life. It will go bad after some time, so; it is necessary to store it properly to last for a long time. You will not enjoy the delicious taste of rambutan for a long time if you do not take care of its storage.

Storing rambutan is just like storing lychee. If you have stored lychee, it will not be difficult to store rambutan. Some storage tips are mentioned below:

Place in a cool and dark place

If you have bought rambutan in a small amount and you believe that you will use it all within a couple of days, you don’t need to store it in the refrigerator. You can place it at room temperature, where it will stay fresh for at least three days.

Find a cool and dark place to store the rambutan because if you store it in a hot environment, it will spoil early. The pantry or kitchen countertop will be the best places to store rambutan at room temperature.

Store in refrigerator

If we say that the refrigerator is the second home for the fruits after the tree, it will not be wrong. The refrigerators are made to store fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh for a long time. The crisper drawer of the fridge is available to store fruits properly.

You can also store rambutan in the fridge to extend its shelf life. It is the most appropriate way to store the rambutan. You can store the rambutan as a whole in the fridge, or you can peel the skin and store the fruit. Use airtight bags to pack the fruit before storing it in the fridge.

Store in the freezer

Long-term preservation of rambutan can be made possible with the help of a freezer. The freezer is the best option for long-term storage. You can store rambutan in the freezer for months.

Can You Freeze Rambutan?

Yes, you can freeze rambutan without any worries. It will retain its quality and freshness for a long time in the freezer. You can store rambutan as a whole in the refrigerator, but you cannot store it in the freezer with its skin. It is because if you freeze the skin with rambutan, then it will lose its texture.

So, peel the skin from the rambutan before freezing it. It has only one seed in it; remove that seed as well. Now you will be left with the fruit only. Pack the fruits in the freezer bags or airtight containers and store them in the freezer. Rambutan’s shelf life will extend to months in the freezer.

How Long Does Rambutan Last?

Rambutan tastes very sweet, and the best fact is that it will not lose its taste no matter how long you store it. The spoilage of a fruit depends on the storage. Better storage means long-lasting shelf life, and poor storage means shorter shelf life. If you store the rambutan properly, then its shelf life will be longer.

At room temperature, rambutan cannot stay fresh for more than three days. The refrigerator will extend its shelf life up to a week. If you have stored it in the freezer, it will keep its taste and quality for three months.

How to Tell If Rambutan Is Bad?

Rambutan has a limited lifespan. Once that lifespan is over, it will go bad, and some common signs of expiry will also appear. You may notice a sudden change in the taste, color, and smell of rambutan when it will go bad.

These are the indicators that will tell you whether you should use the fruit or not. To check the freshness of your rambutans, you must check some common signs of expiry.

Check the appearance of the rambutan. If it has become softer than usual and juices are leaking from its covering, it has gone bad. Don’t eat it.
Sniff the rambutan to check its smell. If it smells bad, then it’s time to discard it.
If you notice any change in the taste of rambutan, then you should avoid using it.