How to Check Citrus Fruit for Freeze Damage

Citrus trees need warm weather to develop healthy produce. Some types of citrus fruit trees are cold hardy, and most can survive a harsh frost. When you notice that a frost remains possible in your area, leave the citrus fruit on the tree. Protect the citrus fruit from the possible frost by keeping the tree warm. After the frost occurs, the citrus fruit needs careful inspection to determine if damage occurred. Frozen fruit will often become damaged completely, but you may be able to salvage the fruit juice.

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Instructions

- 1
  Squeeze the fruit to determine if it feels hard and firm after allowing it to thaw on the tree. Harvest citrus fruits that do not feel spongy.
- 2
  Smell the citrus fruit after it thaws and feels firms. Good citrus fruit will smell fruity instead of sour or rotten.
- 3
  Place the citrus fruit into a bowl of cold water. Fruits that float in the water are damaged and you need to discard them.
- 4
  Inspect the citrus fruit one to two weeks after a frost. Damaged fruit will become soft and fall off the tree. The rind may separate from the fruit as well.
- 5
  Look at the outside of the citrus carefully. Usually the exterior will look fine, but sometimes blemishes and pits will develop.
- 6
  Slice the citrus fruit open to inspect the interior. Separate the fruit into sections to look for damage from the frost. Frozen citrus will appear dry instead of juicy.

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