Texas Citrus is harvested between October through May. Look below and follow the fruit's journey from the grove to the store. Click here for Growing Texas Citrus. Texas Citrus fruits are picked by hand once they reach maturity. Citrus differs from other fruit because they are not all picked at one time and stored - they have to be ready to eat first.
Farmers pull fruit samples from the trees in order to check the fruit's color and sugar level.
Texas Oranges have a yellowish color when they are ready to be picked while Texas Grapefruit has an orange color that can include a pinkish blush on the peel. At the packing house, fruits are unloaded and the leaves and other debris are taken out. Any fruit that does not pass inspection goes directly to a juice plant. From there it is squeezed by machines to release the juice. Washing removes dirt and enhances the appearance.