🐟 Boiled Yuzu Peel

Oita Prefecture is one of the largest producers of Yuzu nationwide. Yuzu trees can be found everywhere in the prefecture and are a fruit that even people who are not involved in agriculture are well-acquainted with. There is a large temperature differential between day and night in Hita City, and this produces Yuzu with a rich aroma and high quality. The “JA Oita Hita Yuzu Group” is made up of about 80 growers who grow Yuzu on fields totaling about 30 ha. Green Yuzu shipments begin in late august, while ripe, yellow-colored Kogyoku Yuzu are shipped from around November. Most of the Yuzu that are shipped both within and outside of Oita prefecture are used in processed foods such as juice or yuzu pepper. In Hita City and other yuzu-producing regions, there are many other ways to enjoy yuzu besides using the peel and juice in cooking. For example, “Boiled Yuzu Peel” glazes the Yuzu peel, and this can be served with tea or used as a New Year's dish. “Yuzu-neri”, made by boiling sweetened, and thinly sliced Yuzu can be eaten as is or spread on bread. It can be served as “Yuzu Tea” if mixed with hot water. In addition, Yuzu also has many non-food uses such as a skin lotion prepared by soaking Yuzu seeds in shochu or being places in the bath during the winter solstice.