Yuzu is very present in Japanese cuisine, both in desserts, in sauces, as well as in savory dishes. Discover its aspects:
- Yuzu, a citrus fruit from Asia
- Its taste and appearance
- In Japanese cuisine
- The virtues of yuzu
- A variant of the fruit : shishi yuzu
Yuzu, a citrus fruit native to Asia
The yuzu 柚子 also called Chinese melon is a citrus fruit native to eastern Asia. It is a fruit that is very present in Japanese cuisine, both in desserts, in sauces, as well as in savory dishes like miso soup for example. The yuzu originates from China and was introduced in Japan during the Tang dynasty. It is a citrus fruit that has a very high resistance to cold (up to -5°). This fruit is very cultivated in Japan in winter. The Japanese also use it to put it in their very hot bath to inhale the essential oils that are released.
Its taste and appearance
Yuzu is similar to a mixture of lemon and grapefruit. We find at the same time the bitterness and the acidity of citrus fruits. This fruit is not very big but it can still reach the size of a grapefruit. Its color is usually yellow, but it depends on its maturity and you can see orange or greenish. Its seeds are quite big. 
In Japanese cuisine
This citrus fruit is very present in Japanese cuisine, its zest and juice are very much used:
Ponzu sauce ポン酢 
Ponzu sauce is made with yuzu or other sour citrus fruits, soy sauce, vinegar, seaweed, dried bonito. It can be used as a dressing in a salad, on tofu, vegetables, fish and meat. It can also be enjoyed with shabu shabu (Japanese fondue)
Yuzu miso 
Miso soup is an essential dish in a Japanese meal. There are some with yuzu. You can find miso paste with yuzu in particular, this one is yellow.
Chawanmushi 
Chawanmushi is an egg custard with thin slices of yuzu peel on top.
Japanese pastries 
Its zest and juice are also widely used in Japanese baked goods, you will find it in jam, among other things.
Yuzukomachi Liqueur 
Also in alcohol, yuzu lends itself very well. You can also find it in wine!
In tea, in marmalade 
Japanese people love tea, so it’s not surprising that yuzu is used in infusions.
Yuzu is very often found in Japanese cuisine, its taste is very refreshing. It can be compared to lemon. However, this citrus fruit is very rare in France you can replace it by lemon and tangerine.
The virtues of yuzu
Winter is approaching in Japan and it is customary to take a hot water bath with pieces of this fruit. Just take 5 to 6 yuzu pieces, cut them and spread them in your hot bath. This helps to soften the skin, it is also a remedy for pain and fatigue. This fruit is widely used in Japanese cosmetics. The flower is also cultivated called hana yuzu to make food or cosmetic products too.
As you can see, yuzu is very present in Japanese food but also in daily life, why not plant one of these trees in your garden?
A variant of the fruit the shishi yuzu
The shishi yuzu has a gnarled and green skin. This fruit is quite rare and comes from Japan. Its taste is similar to a lemon, a grapefruit and a Chinese grapefruit.
