Tesco to sell perfect ‘green’ lemons to help customers facing UK shortage

But now Tesco has lifted the colour quality specifications for lemons in a move that will also help offset food waste in the home by adding up to an extra two days shelf life to the fruit as it turns yellow.

The shortage has been caused by significantly reduced end of season volume in Spain, from where the UK gets the bulk of its lemons until the end of spring, which has reduced availability to UK retailers. Traditionally in late June the South African lemon season starts, which then takes over as the UK’s main supply source. But Tesco will now take the greener South African lemons earlier than usual to keep supplies going.

Tesco citrus fruit buyer Savia Weidinger explains: “These greener lemons that we now have on sale are already mature and perfect tasting inside but need longer for the skin to turn yellow. With the South African crop that happens towards the end of June as evenings cool which helps the fruit to colour up. The move not only means that shoppers will again be easily able to buy a fruit that is growing in popularity but they will gain extra freshness.”

The move should be popular with customers as lemons have jumped in popularity by nearly 10 per cent in the last year with more people using them in recipes and juicing.

Tesco has committed to making sure no good food goes to waste and works with farmers and suppliers to adjust crop specifications. The greener lemons will be available in 800 Tesco stores across the UK.