Yuzu, the precious citrus fruit from the land of…
What is yuzu? Also known as Citrus junos, yuzu is a citrus fruit belonging to the Rutaceae family, like lemons, oranges, grapefruit and limes.
Yuzu is usually used raw. It has a delicate, sweet flavour similar to that of clementines. It was brought to Europe by the renowned French chef Jérôme Banctel, who uses it in both sweet and savoury recipes. Used to flavour sponge cakes and cream puffs or as a secret ingredient in pralines and speciality ice creams, it also pairs perfectly with steamed vegetables and has long been one of the basic ingredients in high-end jams.
Its use in the world of cocktails has also allowed this rare and prized fruit to stand out with elegance.
Origins
Yuzu is a citrus fruit native to China but commonly grown and used in Korea and Japan, where its juice and zest are used to flavour various traditional dishes.
Characteristics
Yuzu is often described as a cross between a mandarin, grapefruit and lime. It has a distinctive sour flavour and a lingering aroma. The essential oil extracted from its peel has various therapeutic properties.
