YUZU THE UNIQUE JAPANESE LEMON BY GERGANA KIRCHEVA
Introduction Yuzu (Citrus junos) is a citrus hybrid from lemon, lime and tangerine (Japanese yuzu, n.d.). This sour fruit, also known as yuja, originated in China (Mandl, 2020) and was brought to Japan during the Asuka Period (Emi, 2016). of this unique citrus T hevariessizebetween the one of a mandarin to an orange, has an uneven skin and very large seeds (Matthias, 2019). Nowadays, mainly grown on the smallest Japanese island – Shikoku (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.), these small citrus fruits are quite rare and expensive. In comparison to the commonly known lemons which prices are usually less than 420 euro per ton, yuzus tend to get
up to 21 000 euro for the same amount (“Australian yuzu growers get fantastic prices”, 2018). Yuzu is often used in Korean and Japanese cuisine as a souring ingredient in specific dishes (DoHee, 2013). Furthermore, due to its various anti-microbial properties and antioxidant composition, yuzu only recently gained popularity around the world as a skincare products ingredient (“Citrus Yuzu,” 2020).
History T
he origin of yuzu is commonly known as Central China, specifically the upstream of Yangtze River (Yagishita, 2019). The constant climate change eventually hindered the harvest of yuzus which made the search for different growing territories a necessity (“History of Yuzu,” n.d.). The citrus was introduced to Japan and Korea at the time of the Tang dynasty and is still cultivated in these two regions (“Yuzu ichan-
drin (papeda hybrid),” n.d.). The fruit played a part in Nagasaki’s history. During the Edo period, a lot of European missionaries entered Japan through Nagasaki’s port. These missionaries converted some Japanese to Christianity until the religion was banned by the Edo authorities.
Yangtze Rivger Source: Pixabay
Germination and cultivation very big proportion of the yuzu 2010). A is taen by the seeds, which Yuzu prefers well-drained soils, tend to be larger than the ones of regular citrus (“What is Yuzu Citrus – Japanese Lemon?,” 2017). It is possible to grow a yuzu tree from a seed, although starting from one will delay the first crop with a couple of years (Nelson,
mainly red and brown forest ones, common to the Kochi Prefecture (Kamoshita, 1959) where half of the domestic production comes from (“Japanese Fruits”, 2020). Yuzu thorny trees prefer warm climate but because of its wild mountain Ichang lemon parentage, they can tolerate frosts down to -8°C (Wong, 2018). The yuzu tends to flower in late spring to early summer (May-June), and has a very short harvesting period in the winter (November-December) which is one of the criteria related to its high price (“Yuzu (Citrus junos): growing, planting, caring.,” n.d.).
Today, yuzu plantations can be found in China, Japan, South Korea, United States and even Australia (The farm Table, 2018). In 2003, yuzus import was banned in the US in order to protect American growers from diseases prevalent in Asian groves, fresh yuzu cannot legally be imported into the country (Karp, 2003).
Yuzu flowers Photographer: Misami Takita
Yuzu kosho Source: Thread and whisk
Japanese and Korean cuisine Although yuzu is hardly consumed as a fruit, it is a pretty common ingredient in Japanese cuisine. It is a common ingredient in the citrus-based sauce ponzu (Wolfiger, 2018). common souse that yuzu A nother is an element in is Yuzu kosho (lit-
Yuzu is also used in the making of liquor, such as Yuzu Komachi (“Ikinokuerally “yuzu and pepper”) – Jap- ra ‘Yuzu Komachu’ Yuzu Liqueur,” anese condiment made from green n.d.) and wine (B. United Internationor yellow yuzu zest, green or red chili al Inc., n.d.). peppers, and salt (Goldberg, 2016). Zest and juice from the citrus is an ingredient in a savory, salty egg custard called chawanmushi (Fury, 2011) and miso soup (Chen, 2020). In Korea, yuja is mostly used to make yuja-cheong (yuja-marmalade) and yuja-cha (yuja-tea) which is usually made by mixing yuja-cheong with hot water (Park, 2017;2020). The Yuja-hwachae (yuja punch), a variety of hwachae (fruit punch), is also a common dessert made with the citrus (Sojung, 2016). Yuzu kosho Source: Thread and whisk
Capybaras in a yuzu bath Source: Otakumode
Eastern and Western World
Imported by Western Chefs in the 2000s, the yuzu continues to gain popularity in the menus of luxury restaurants (La Belle Assiette, 2016). Yuzu has a very strong flavor, which is the reason why in most of the cases only a drop is needed to feel the taste (Jones, 2017). Yuzu has infinite applications in dessert dishes, where it is used as an essence (G.B. Chefs, 2020). Other uses for yuzu include cocktails, sushi rice, sashimi, Asian-style soups, sorbets and different celebratory drinks (Jones, 2017).
Yuzu cocktail Source: White on rice couple
Other yu-ses The oil from the skin of yuzus is marketed as a fragrance. In Japan yuzu yu (yuzu bath) during Toji (winter solstice) is a custom, dating back to the early 18th century (Emi, 2016). Whole fruits encased in a cloth bag, float in the water of hot baths or hot springs, releasing a bright aroma (MUN Skin Care, n.d.), since its aroma may alleviate negative emotional stress, relax the body and mind, and ease aches (Matsumoto, Asakura, & Hayashi, 2014, p. 503).
Reference List
1. Australian yuzu growers get fantastic prices. (2018, July 12). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www. freshplaza.com/article/2198181/australian-yuzu-growers-get-fantastic-prices/ 2. B. United International Inc. (n.d.). B. United International Inc. | Yuzu Wine | Yuzu Wine. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from http://www.bunitedint.com/ information/brands/description/217/ 3. Chen, N. (2020, April 12). Miso Soup with Yuzu Kosho 柚子胡椒入りお味噌汁. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.justonecookbook.com/miso-soup-yuzu-kosho/ 4. Citrus Yuzu. (2020, August 10). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com/us/en/editorial/ingredients-go-vegan-and-cruelty-free/yuzu. html 5. Do-Hee, S. (2013, November 27). Strange yuzu fruit enjoying star moment. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://koreajoongangdaily.joins. com/2013/11/27/etc/Strange-yuzufruit-enjoying-star-moment/2981138. html 6. Emi, D. (2016, December 21). Soaking and Seasoning: The Aromatic Pleasures of “Yuzu.” Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b06004/ 7. Fury, M. (2011, January 20). Melody Gourmet Fury | Austin Food Writer and Photographer » Yuzu Cha-
wanmushi recipe (savory Japanese egg custard with citrus). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.gourmetfury.com/2011/01/yuzu-chawanmushi-recipe-japanese-egg/ 8. G.B. Chefs. (2020, August 13). How to Cook with Yuzu. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www. greatbritishchefs.com/ingredients/ yuzu-recipes 9. Goldberg, E. (2016, February 17). Meet Yuzu Kosho, the Secret Weapon Condiment Chefs Are Putting On Everything. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/ yuzu-kosho-recipe 10. History of Yuzu. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from http://en. junosbiotec.com/Historyofyuzu 11. Ikinokura “Yuzu Komachi” Yuzu Liqueur. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.wine-searche r. c o m / f i n d / i k i n o k u r a + y u z u + komachi+liqueur+japan 12. Japanese Fruits. (2020, October 31). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.japan-guide.com/e/ e2347.html 13. Japanse yuzu. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https:// w w w. a g f. n l / a r t i c l e / 1 3 3 1 6 5 / j a panse-yuzu-mix-van-limoen-citroen-en-mandarijn/ 14. Jones, K. (2017, March 14). Cooking With the Japanese Wonderfruit Yuzu. Retrieved November 25, 2020,
from https://www.kobejones.com.au/ cooking-with-the-japanese-wonderfruit-yuzu/ 15. Kamoshita, Y. (1959). Soils in Japan. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 5(2), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 00380768.1959.10430899 16. Karp, D. (2003, December 3). The Secrets Behind Many Chefs’ Not-SoSecret Ingredient. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.nytimes. com/2003/12/03/dining/the-secretsbehind-many-chefs-not-so-secret-ingredient.html 17. La Belle Assiette. (2016, October 18). Yuzu, a strange little citrus adored by Chefs. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://labelleassiette. co.uk/blog/yuzu-strange-little-citrusacclaimed-chefs/ 18. Mandl, E. B. (2020, January 3). 13 Emerging Benefits and Uses of Yuzu Fruit. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/yuzu-fruit 19. Matsumoto, T., Asakura, H., & Hayashi, T. (2014). Effects of Olfactory Stimulation from the Fragrance of the Japanese Citrus Fruit Yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) on Mood States and Salivary Chromogranin A as an Endocrinologic Stress Marker. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(6), 500–506. https://doi. org/10.1089/acm.2013.0425 20. Matthias, R. (2019, September 11). Yuzu Citrus Fruit. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://ryukoch.
com/basics/yuzu/ 21. MUN Skin Care. (n.d.). The Japanese Yuzu Bath: Celebrating the Winter Solstice. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://munskin.com/ blogs/health-wellness/yuzu-bath 22. Nelson, V. (2010, January 10). Vern Nelson: Yuzu is delightfully fragrant and unfussy. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://findanyanswer. com/goto/356393 23. Park, M. (2017, November 30). Yuja Marmalade. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from http://minapark.com/ journal/2017/11/27/yuja-marmalade 24. S. (2020, September 29). Yuja Tea (Korean Citron Tea). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://mykoreankitchen.com/yuja-tea-korean-citron-tea/ 25. Sojung, Y. (2016, January 15). Korean recipes: Traditional drinks keep you healthy in winter (유자화채, 수정과). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=131900 26. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Shikoku. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https:// www.britannica.com/place/Shikoku-island-Japan 27. The Farm Table. (2018, July 12). Australian yuzu growers make 50 times citrus prices with ‘ugly’ fruit from Asia –. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://farmtable.com.au/australianyuzu-growers-make-50-times-citrusprices-with-ugly-fruit-from-asia/
28. What is Yuzu Citrus – Japanese Lemon? (2017, January 29). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https:// whiteonricecouple.com/garden/ yuzu-citrus-japanese-citron-lemon/ 29. Wolfinger, E. (2018, February 8). Yuzu Ponzu. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.foodandwine. com/recipes/yuzu-ponzu 30. Wong, J. (2018, August 18). Gardens: the new yuzu. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www. theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/ oct/18/how-to-grow-and-eat-yuzu 31. Yagishita, M. (2019, May 25). Yuzu. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.flower-db.com/en/ flower:954 32. Yuzu (Citrus junos): growing, planting, caring. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www. groww.fr/en/plants/yuzu 33. Yuzu ichandrin (papeda hybrid). (n.d.-b). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/ yuzu1.html