Yuzu isn’t a new fruit, but it’s one that many Americans are unfamiliar with. You may have noticed that yuzu—pronounced yoo-zoo—has started creeping up on menus throughout the US if you’ve heard of it but aren’t sure what it is. Cocktails, slaw, sushi, ramen, rice, and sweets like yuzu sorbet and tarts are just a few of the ways chefs and mixologists use the fruit. If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting yuzu, you should do so. Here’s a rundown on the citrus fruit’s flavor, history, and possible health advantages, as well as where to locate it and healthy ways to consume it.
What precisely is yuzu?
Yuzu is supposed to be a cross between a sour mandarin orange and Ichang papeda, a variety of citrus. Yuzu has rough green and yellow skin and is about the size of a golf ball. It’s quite juicy, with an acidic, sour flavor that’s characterized as stronger than that of a lemon. With lemon, lime, grapefruit, and lemongrass smells, it’s also incredibly aromatic. It’s even been compared to the fragrance of pure sunshine.
Many people believe the fruit originated in China’s Hubei Province, which is located near the Yangtze River. Others, on the other hand, claim that it originated in Korea, was subsequently brought into China, and then found its way to Japan around 1,000 years ago. Yuzu is prominent acid citrus used in East Asian cuisine, and there are several yuzu varieties and hybrids available in Japan and China.
Yuzu cannot be imported into the United States to protect American producers from agricultural illnesses widespread in Asia. However, it is currently cultivated in California, making it legal to sell in the United States. While I have not personally seen the fruit in a supermarket, it may be available in an Asian grocery store. If you can’t locate it locally, you may order yuzu from a distributor in the United States. Melissa’s, for example, sells 8-ounce containers of fruit from September through December when it’s in season. (However, other states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii, restrict the shipment of any citrus within their borders.) Yuzu is also available as a 100% organic juice from the Japanese business Lausac ($14; amazon.com).
Health Benefits of Yuzu
Yuzu cannot be imported into the United States to protect American producers from agricultural illnesses widespread in Asia. However, it is currently cultivated in California, making it legal to sell in the United States. While I have not personally seen the fruit in a supermarket, it may be available in an Asian grocery store. If you can’t locate it locally, you may order yuzu from a distributor in the United States. Melissa’s, for example, sells 8-ounce containers of fruit from September through December when it’s in season. (However, other states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii, restrict the shipment of any citrus within their borders.) Yuzu is also available as a 100% organic juice from the Japanese business Lausac ($14; amazon.com).
In terms of non-edible applications, one short research published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine looked at the calming benefits of yuzu aroma. The essential oil in the fruit is considered to influence autonomic nervous system function, which is important in the mind-body link. To test if this is true, 21 women in their twenties were given the scents of yuzu or water as a control. Before and after the aromatic stimulation, researchers analyzed the participants’ heart rate variability, which measures nervous system activity, as well as the Profile of Mood States (POMS), a psychological marker.
The ladies saw changes ten minutes after breathing yuzu, such as a considerable reduction in heart rate, indicating that the fruit had an influence on parasympathetic nervous system function. For at least 25 minutes, the impact lasted. Furthermore, the POMS tests demonstrated that yuzu lowered overall mood disturbance for up to 35 minutes, which included reduced tension-anxiety and weariness. According to the researchers, the study suggests that yuzu’s fragrant properties may aid in the relief of negative mental stress. However, essential oils should not be taken without the supervision of a healthcare expert, since there are possible hazards, side effects, and prescription interactions.
What is the best way to utilise yuzu?
Yuzu juice and rind may be used in a wide range of dishes, and a little goes a long way. I’ve just dabbled with yuzu because it’s hard to come by. However, I make the most of every occasion to taste it in beautifully prepared restaurant dishes, cocktails, and mocktails.
Sweet ginger, honey, yams, and grains; salty sea veggies and soy sauce; bitter matcha and leafy greens; and umami-based seafood and mushrooms may all help to balance out the sourness of yuzu.
Here are a few dishes to attempt at home if you’re new to yuzu and enjoy cooking:
- Seared hamachi with yuzu dressing and carrot salad
- edamame with hoisin and yuzu
- Salmon with a yuzu glaze
- Cocktail with yuzu and ginger from Japan
You’ll probably hear more about yuzu in the near future as the demand for global cuisine grows. This one-of-a-kind citrus fruit is a feast for the senses while also providing important minerals and antioxidants. Grab it while it’s still available in California, or try it as a bottled juice.
