Yuzu Citrus to Brighten the Winter Days

The yuzu fruit gives the word zest a whole new meaning.

Yuzu is a golf ball-sized citrus that originated in East Asia. The rare (and expensive) Japanese citrus is a complex blend of lime, lemon and grapefruit. It is sour, tart and fragrant making it less sharp and more subtle than a typical lemon.  Yuzu enhances many Asian ingredients like soy sauces, miso toppings and pnzu sauces. The pleasant aromatic zest is making its way to high-end restaurants, cocktails and in sweet and savory dishes in your kitchen.

The mature fruit is full of large seeds and produces a minimal amount of juice but it is highly prized for its fragrant and floral zest. The Japanese grapefruit juice holds up well during the cooking process without losing any of its valued flavors. The zest is packed with delicious oils that allow you to take advantage of almost every part of the yuzu. We don’t like waste so very much appreciate this!

The yuzu is a super food to be on the lookout for. One fruit has only 20 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein. The mini grapefruit also gives you 32% of your daily vitamin C dosage and is low in sugar and carbs. The yuzu peel has been known to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. And, the best part, the amazing fruit has aromatic perks that can boost your mood. It has an amazing floral and citrus fragrance that will spread throughout your kitchen. You can even float whole yuzu fruits in a warm bath to soften your rough skin. The winter citron can do it all.

The yuzu’s intense flavor power means that a little goes a long way. You can spoon some zest of just about anything from salad dressings to bread and appreciate its one-of-a-kind flavor. Seek out yuzu for these recipes:

• Taste the freshest of everything with these Toro Avocado Yuzo Crostini.
• Get some zesty tang with Yuzu Macaroons.
• Tantalize your taste buds with a Shiso-Yuzo Mojito.
• Brighten up your salad with a fresh and invigorating Yuzu Vinaigrette.
• This Winter Citrus Carpaccio will improve any snowy day.

Have you ever tasted a yuzu? What would you make with the Japanese fruit?

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