Winter's Herald Fruit: Yuzu—Health Benefits and Delicious Ways to Enjoy It
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Yuzu, a citrus fruit known as the “herald of winter,” is in season now and packs nearly twice the vitamin C of lemons or oranges (95 mg per 100 g). Regular intake can boost immune cell function, help prevent colds and reduce fatigue—useful during flu season. Don’t discard the peel: it contains antioxidants (hesperidin), compounds that may ease allergies and reduce heat, and naringenin which may help memory; carotenoids are also richer in the peel than the flesh. Yuzu is often made into yujacha (yuzu tea) by slicing whole fruit, removing seeds and preserving it with sugar to create yujacheong (yuzu syrup). Beyond hot tea, yujacheong can be mixed with sparkling water as an aid, used as a salad dressing, or combined with lemon, olive oil and vinegar for new flavors. Try pickles—such as tomato-yuzu pickle—or add yuzu to cabbage, radish or spicy pepper pickles. For desserts, yuzu hwachae (a cold fruit punch with yuzu and pear), yuzu pound cake, yuzu sherbet or yuzu ice cream are refreshing options. Embrace the season’s yellow wave and enjoy a vitamin-C rich treat.
