The Yuzu (yoo’zoo) is a green or yellow aromatic Asian citrus fruit whose acidic rind and juice are widely used in Japanese cuisine. It's taste is a mix of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit.
It’s a fruit with a somewhat chequered past… after being banned by the Department of Agriculture from import into the United States a thriving black market exists among chefs for fresh yuzu smuggled from Japan.
In Japan, where the fruit is celebrated for it’s oil and fragrance, bathing with yuzu on the winter solstice is a custom that dates back to at least the early 18th century. The yuzu bath, known commonly as yuzu yu (柚子湯), is said to guard against colds, treat the roughness of skin, warm the body, and relax the mind. We do recommend trying Yuzu in a Goodrays first before filling the tub...