Yuzu is a hybrid citrus fruit that originated in East Asia. Renowned for its tangy flavor profile, yuzu is a blend between a lemon, lime, and a grapefruit. This tart and vibrant fruit contains vitamin C and other antioxidants, making it a healthy and nutrition addition to your diet.
What is Yuzu?
Yuzu is a type of aromatic citrus fruit that is often confused with a lemon. They are a round yellow fruit about the size of a tangerine, and are incredibly sour. Because yuzus are too sour to be eaten alone, they are usually only used as an ingredient in recipes. Many describe the taste of a Yuzu as a mix of lemon and grapefruit with a small taste of orange.
Originating in China, yuzu is sometimes exported to other locations. In California, there are a few small farms that grow the tart fruit, and their stock is sent to small Asian grocery stores around the United States.
Potential Health Benefits of Yuzu
- Supports immune health
- Helps maintain a healthy gut
- Reduces stress
- Promotes strong bones
- Improves memory
5 Ways to Cook With Yuzu
1. Salad Dressing
Yuzu is tart like a lemon, making it an excellent addition to sweet and sour salad dressings. It can be used on a 1:1 replacement in any salad dressing recipe that calls for lemon juice, just know the dressing will be a bit more sour than normal.
2. Cocktails
One of the favorite uses of Yuzu is in cocktails. Because it is too sour to replace lemons in most recipes, we recommend using it as a flavoring in sweeter beverages. For example, try a Yuzu mojito or whip up a strawberry yuzu Dakari.
3. In Baking
Yuzu is delicious when used in baking, especially in recipes where the sourness of a citrus ingredient is balanced with sugar. Some ideas to try are Yuzu tarts or a yuzu meringue pie.
4. As a Marinade
Yuzu has a high level of acid content, meaning it can help break down some of the tougher parts of various meats. Next time you plan to marinate a chicken breast overnight, add the juice of a yuzu to the bag and enjoy the unique flavors it adds while it tenderizes the meat.
5. In Dips
Yuzu is most famous in Asian cooking for its use in dips. The most well-known is ponzu sauce, though it can also be added to BBQ sauces to add a new and fresh twist.
Can You Replace Lemons With Yuzu?
Although they are different fruits, yuzu can replace lemon in recipes on a 1:1 basis. The fruits are similar in flavor, and their juice has almost the same consistency. Keep in mind, however, that yuzu is more sour than lemon, so when it is used to replace lemon, the resulting recipe will have a more tart flavor.
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