The seed pods begin ripening towards the bottom and proceed to the top. In Sudan, growers will sometimes allow the seed to completely ripen and the leaves drop prior to harvest. Harvest The harvest is timed according to the ripeness of the seed. The wet red fleshy calyces are harvested after the flower has dropped but before the seed pod has dried and opened. The more time the capsule remains on the plant after the seeds begin to ripen, the more susceptible the calyx is to sores, sun cracking, and general deterioration in quality.
All harvesting is done by hand.
Special care must be taken during harvesting operation to avoid contamination by extraneous material. At no time should the calyx come in contact with the ground or other dirt surfaces. Clean bags or containers should be used to transport from the field to the drying location. In addition to avoiding contamination, the time between harvest and drying should always be kept at a minimum. Different harvesting methods are in use today.