All About Yuzu: Nutrition, Benefits, How to Prepare It, and More

At first glance, the yuzu fruit may look like a yellow mandarin orange. But this citrus fruit is uniquely different in taste, texture, and aroma.

“Yuzu, or Citrus junos, is native to East Asia. It has little juice and massive seeds,” says Asako Miyashita, RDN, a New York City–based nutrition consultant. She describes the fruit as having a strong, tart citrus taste similar to that of a grapefruit. In the United States, yuzu is grown primarily in California; that is why the fresh fruit is difficult to find in many other parts of the country.

Yuzu is often used in traditional Japanese cuisine in the same way you might add lemon to a recipe when cooking a sauce or pasta, or dressing veggies or fish, Miyashita says.

Read on to discover more about this trendy citrus fruit.

• Calories: 53
• Carbohydrates: 13.3 grams (g)
• Protein: 0.8 g
• Fat: 0.3 g
• Fiber: 1.8 g

There is limited research available on yuzu, but some of its health-promoting properties appear to be related to its soothing citrus scent and high vitamin C content.

One of the biggest perks of yuzu is that it’s a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin C. A 3.5-ounce serving of fresh yuzu contains all of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, according to a study and the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

One important note about the above studies: “All the research is looking at specific compounds in yuzu and yuzu extract, not consuming the fruit independently,” says Olivia Wagner, RDN, a Chicago-based integrative and functional dietitian. Overall, studies on this topic are limited, so more research is needed to confirm the health benefits of yuzu.

But because yuzu fruits are grown in California, they’re not impossible to source within the United States. If you live outside the state, try scouting specialty markets (such as Asian or Japanese grocery stores). You can also search online for U.S.-based growers who ship the fruit within the country — like Melissa’s, an online specialty produce store that offers 8-oz packages of yuzu fruit when in season.

Store fresh yuzu fruit in the refrigerator and eat it within 7 to 10 days, says Miyashita. If you’re buying the fruit in bulk, she advises peeling them and freezing them in individual containers or bags, where they’ll last about three months.

You can also look out for artisan and specialty foods that incorporate yuzu (such as functional waters and other drinks, cocktail mixes, condiments, and honey).

Bottled yuzu juice may be available at specialty food stores or online from popular retailers. Walmart offers a 12-oz bottle of 100 percent yuzu juice.

Yuzu is often prepared in a way similar to other citrus fruits — you can zest it, peel it, and juice it.

Yuzu shines in a variety of dishes, particularly traditional Japanese dishes. Use the peels and zest to add a zippy citrusy flavor to soba noodle soup or chawanmushi, a savory steamed egg custard traditionally served as an appetizer, suggests Miyashita.

You can also create a dressing for vegetables by stirring together yuzu juice, sesame oil, soy salt, and sesame seeds, Miyashita suggests.

Yuzu may also be added to a Japanese bath; some people believe a soak in warm yuzu-infused water bolsters immunity against illness, she says. To create a yuzu bath, simply drop the whole fruits in the bath; you can also slice the fruits in half or carefully score their skin with a knife to release more yuzu aroma. If the fresh fruit isn’t available to you, you can purchase yuzu bath salts or add a few drops of yuzu essential oil to the water for an uplifting fragrance.

Yuzu’s citrus flavor is a great addition to appetizers, condiments, desserts, and dressings. Here are some blogger recipes to try.

Yuzu, Thai chili peppers, and salt are all you need to make this tangy yuzu chili paste from Thread and Whisk.

Food & Wine starts off a Japanese-inspired meal with chawanmushi drizzled with yuzu ponzu sauce.

Serve My Korean Kitchen’s Korean-style yuzu marmalade dressing over salads, seafood, or your choice of lean protein.

Blueberry yuzu popsicles by Routinely Rachel are vibrant, fruity, and sweetened with a hint of maple syrup.

For an indulgent special-occasion treat, mini yuzu cheesecakes from Ai Made It for You are a bright twist on a classic dessert.

Yuzu is a sour, aromatic alternative to traditional citrus fruits like lemon or grapefruit. While it can be tricky to source, it’s worth scouting it online or from an Asian grocery store so that you can experiment with its wonderful flavor profile in the kitchen. “Yuzu can be part of a healthy, balanced diet without negative implications,” says Wagner.