An ancient fruit, with a long history of cultivation, the Yuzu is an authentic and rare flavour of East Asian Cuisine, borne by one of the most cold hardy of edible citrus varieties. Resembling a large Mandarin in size, Yuzu fruits feature a highly fragrant rind and a seedy pulp whose juice is renowned for its acidic tang, reminiscent of a blend between Grapefruit and Mandarin. With its intensely tart yet aromatic flavour, the Yuzu is prized throughout its native East Asia, where it is commonly used in Japanese and Korean cuisine as a flavouring and ingredient in products such as sauces or liquors. Its potent juice is used in the creation of Ponzu, a citrus sauce cherished as a dipping accompaniment for meats and seafood. Yuzu are also transformed into delectable marmalades, preserves, and combined with honey for a fragrant Tea, often consumed to remedy colds. Yuzu can be used much like its counterpart, Sudachi. Yuzu are a hybrid citrus which owes its robust attributes to a lineage stemming from the cold-hardy Ichang papeda and the more commonly known Mandarin. Given the growing presence of East Asian communities throughout Australia and greater interest in the authentic flavours of Korean and Japanese cuisines, the Yuzu is set for a surge in popularity. Owing to the hardiness of its ancestors, the Yuzu demonstrates exceptional cold tolerance, reportedly enduring temperatures plummeting as low as -10 degrees (variable reports from -5 to -12 degrees), including harsh winter conditions marked by severe frosts and infrequent snowfall. Its basic cultivation requirements align with those of other citrus varietie, preferring ample sunlight, fertile, slightly acidic loamy soils, and good drainage. Yuzu are not highly drought tolerant and should be provided with watering during drought. Yuzu have deep green foliage, characteristic of Citrus, providing an aesthetically pleasing contrast against its ripe yellow fruits. Yuzu form a compact tree/shrub, staying around 3-4m tall, allowing for easy harvest and management. Given its thorny stems, careful consideration should be ensured when selecting planting sites. The Yuzu offers prolific yields of aromatic, full-bodied fruits, while being a viable option for cultivation even in regions conventionally deemed too cold for most edible citrus varieties.
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