LEMON COLD STORAGE METHOD

First of all, it should be determined whether the yellowing of the lemon is requested or not. If yellowing is requested; The yellowing process is used to ripen most fruits such as bananas and lemons by regulating temperature, humidity and ethylene concentration in sealed chambers with the help of ethylene gas. Ethylene, which works like a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazards to the product and at the same time adds added value to the fruit by making the skin of the product turn from green to yellow and retain the sweetness and aroma of the fruit. Lemons can be stored for up to 5 months at 14 °C to 15 °C and 90% relative humidity. If they are exposed to cold for a long time at temperatures below 14 °C, spots occur on the shells and the fruit flesh becomes straw. These are cold damage also seen in oranges. In addition to this long-term storage of lemons, short-term storage is also carried out in order to regulate the market, especially in western countries. For this purpose, 3/4 °C temperature and 90% relative humidity are applied for short-term storage.

During the storage, the product is constantly monitored and the storage takes 3-4 weeks at most under these conditions. Lemons removed from storage should be offered for immediate consumption. Because warehouse damage usually starts to appear 10 days after the lemons leave the warehouse. Under the conditions of our country, lemons are kept in naturally cooled warehouses called Beds. Kütdiken, Lamas and Molla Mehmet lemon varieties grown in the Eastern Mediterranean region are kept in warehouses in the production areas until the beginning of March. The lemons, which are transported to the Ürgüp – Ortahisar region with the warming of the weather, are stored here between March and August. In the naturally cooled warehouses in the Ürgüp – Göreme region, in summer, the warehouse temperatures are generally 10-15 °C and the humidity is 80-90%. In summer months, when the relative humidity rises above 95%, ventilation is required. In winter, the humidity remains at the same level, while the temperature is 4-7 °C. Kütdiken is a very high quality lemon variety that is most produced and kept in the cold. It has plenty of water, is acidic and has a core. The peel of the fruit; smooth, shiny, tightly attached to the fruit flesh and green yellow in color. Kütdiken lemon variety can be stored at 8-12 °C and 90% humidity for 11-12 months. It is a lemon variety that is extremely convenient for storage and transportation.