Yes, lemons can be green.
The Lifecycle of a Lemon
All citrus fruits, including lemons, begin their lives as green. This is because the fruit initially contains chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color in plants. As the lemon ripens, the chlorophyll breaks down. This process reveals the yellow color underneath, resulting in the characteristic yellow lemon we are familiar with.
- Green Stage: During the early growth stages on the tree, lemons are entirely green. This is due to the high chlorophyll content.
- Transition Stage: As the lemon matures, the chlorophyll begins to degrade and the yellow pigments become more apparent. You might see a transition from green to yellowish-green during this stage.
- Ripe Stage: Once fully ripe, the majority of the chlorophyll is gone, and the lemon displays its typical yellow hue. However, some lemon varieties may retain a slight greenish tint even when ripe.
The reference material explicitly states: "All citrus fruits are green while they are still growing on the tree. Lemons lose their green colour as they ripen because the chlorophyll pigment is replaced with a chemical called anthocyanin." While the reference mentions anthocyanin, it's important to note that the primary color change from green to yellow in lemons is primarily due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and the revelation of existing yellow pigments, not necessarily the production of anthocyanin (which is more associated with red and purple pigments in other fruits and plants).
Factors Affecting Lemon Color
Several factors can influence the color of a lemon, even at the ripe stage:
- Variety: Different lemon varieties may have slightly different coloring, even when ripe. Some may retain more green than others.
- Growing Conditions: Environmental factors like sunlight and soil nutrients can subtly affect the color development of the lemon.
