Yuzu Limes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 09/29/23
Description/Taste
Pronounced YOO-zoo, the yuzu lime is wrapped in a thick uneven golden or green colored skin. Its flesh offers a tangy flavor that is somewhat reminiscent to a grapefruit, but with a distinct mandarin orange overtone. Smelling something like a lime, but not exactly, its fragrance is quite unique. Yuzu limes release an extraordinary aroma that is definitely their very own. About the size of a small grapefruit or a tangerine, this fruit is considered to be one of the most fragrant of the citrus group. Because of its pleasant scent, oils extracted from its peel are used both in cooking and as a cosmetic perfume.
Seasons/Availability
Peak season for Yuzu limes is February thru April.
Nutritional Value
Citrus juice is an excellent source of vitamin C.
Applications
This sour fruit is used almost exclusively for its aromatic rind and snappy zest. Use as a decorative garnish for clear soups. Add small slivers to a variety of dishes to enhance flavor. Simmered dishes love the presence of its shredded peel. Its astringent juice makes a very tasty contribution when used in sauces, beverages, confections and vinegar. Offering many subtle tropical flavors, this fruit creates a complex taste when sweetened to make a fruit flavored drink. Dried yuzu is sometimes combined with other spices. Its striking tree makes a lovely garden ornamental.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
A traditional hot bath is enjoyed in Japan in which many whole fruits, most often wrapped in cheesecloth, float in the water. This "yuzu-yu", or yuzu bath is taken on the evening of the winter solstice. One of the most popular fruits in Japan, this citrus scent is said to inspire optimism and promote a sense of well-being.
Geography/History
One of the most cold resistant of the citrus fruits, the yuzu grows wild in the middle of China and in Tibet. Cultivated on a very small scale in regions of China, this fruit is much more common in Japan. Growing throughout Japan, it loves living next to streams. Although mainly grown in Japan, it is thought the yuzu probably originated in Central China. Fruiting in late fall, the gorgeous blanket of golden ripe yuzu across the land is a reminder the chill of winter is right around the corner. At one time recognized as a species, Citrus junos, yuzu limes are now represented as either a variety of Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange or as a hybrid. A tropical taste that's making a big hit with chefs, the culinary virtues of the yuzu are making the common orange, lemon and lime take a back seat in a variety of tasty exotic creations.
