The most commonly used non-destructive indices of harvest maturity are peel colour and
size. Lemons may be picked either at the dark green colour stage or when the peel has
started to turn yellow. Fruit picked at the dark-green stage have the longest postharvest
life, but generally have not reached their maximum juice content. Fruit left on the tree to
turn slightly yellow will have higher juice content, but a shorter market life. Export
market lemons should have at least some yellow colouration of the rind at harvest