Speaking of winter, the warm pan and soup are delicious season. A name supporting committee that complements those tastes, citrus with high scent such as "Yuzu"! Winter solstice (December 22, 2018) There is a custom to enter Yuzuyu, "Japanese love yuzu" seems to be said. Recently it is said that Yuzu has been drawing attention overseas as well.

This time, we will draw on the attractiveness of Yuzu, which will deliciously produce Japanese winter delicately & refreshingly.

Mikan, Hatsu, sweet summer, pop ...... Fruits and citrus fruits with countless varieties. "Yuzu" is one of the varieties classified as "Kosan citrus" among such citrus fruits. Citrus citrus is sour and unsuitable for eating flesh. Instead, it is a fruit that uses the sour taste of fragrant peel and juice.

Do you know what citrus fruit other than Yuzu is? The answer is, lemon and lime, simmered in pumpkin, shikuwasa and so on. There are many people who are unfamiliar with the name of citrus acid citrus. But the fact is that they are very familiar fruits.

Many citrus fruits are grown in Japan, and the number, 40 or more! Nowadays, even Bergamot is grown domestically. Bergamot is a citrus citrus that contains the aroma components of its skin as a raw material for aroma oils and is used to aromatize black tea. The warm region such as southern Italy is the production area, but with the recent global warming, it is said that it has succeeded in cultivation challenge in Kochi prefecture and it has succeeded.

そんな“香酸柑橘王国”といえる日本で、人気ナンバー1を誇るのは、やっぱりゆず。ゆず・すだち・かぼすの3種で、国内の香酸柑橘の大半を占めており、なかでもゆずの収穫量はダントツ。すだち・かぼす、それぞれの4倍以上もの収穫量を誇っているんです（※1）。「香酸柑橘王国の王者＝ゆず」といえそうですね。

No.1 incense citrus in Japan, Yuzu. The history is also very old, and it is known that it was grown from China, where it originated, to Japan, and was grown domestically during the Nara period. Since the Nara period started in 710, it has been popular with Japanese people for almost a thousand years.

By the way, the pumpkin is a citrus that has existed in Oita Prefecture since ancient times, and it is a strain of yuzu. Sudachi is a cultivar produced in Tokushima Prefecture about 300 years ago, which is also a strain of Yuzu. In Japan, it's a good idea that citrus citrus fruits are delicious.

What kind of fruit do you think of when you say Yuzu? yellow? green? This is both correct. Yuzu, which is generally seasoned from November to December, is ripe and its skin is yellow. It is called "Yellow Yuzu" from the appearance. On the other hand, immature Yuzu, which is sold in summer, has a green "blue Yuzu". It is said that the smell is the best in the blue and immature condition of pumpkins and sweets, but Yuzu is a fruit that can be used to flavor ripe and immature fruits.

ゆずの産地量が多いのは、1位が高知県、次いで徳島県（※1）。そうそう、徳島県では現在、徳島生まれのすだち×ゆずを交配した「阿波すず香」なる新種の香酸柑橘を育成中とか。市場には2020年頃に並ぶ予定とのこと。今なお、新種のかけ合わせに使われているとは……。日本の香酸柑橘の王者、さすがです。

The popularity of Yuzu can be seen from the increase in yield. The yield, which was about 5,600 tons in 1980, is about five times that in 2009! Since then, although some increase and decrease has been repeated, in 2015, it will harvest nearly 23,700 tons (* 1). Of course, the citrus acid citrus which is increasing the yield as well as Yuzu, is another pear!

One of the backgrounds is the increase in seasoning with yuzu, such as yuzu pepper and ponzu. According to one theory, Yuzu pepper has spread nationwide since the beginning of the 2000s. From around 2008, Yuzu pepper flavored snacks have also appeared. Yuzu was an old and new ingredient. As an aside, blue yuzu pepper is often used with blue yuzu, and ponzu is often used with citrus acid citrus other than yuzu.

Yuzu fever in recent years is not limited to Japan. In 2012, export of fruits and vegetables to France, a gastronomic country, started. For cooking, sweets, dressings, butter, and other seasonings, for flavoring sake and tea, ... and so on, in every direction. The French name is "Le yuzu". The presence of the article "Le" suggests that it is a food used by French people on a daily basis (* 2).

Well, how do you enjoy Yuzu this winter?

Along with the pots, the menu and oden that you miss on a cold day is the one that is added as the most basic flavor in the Kanto region, "Karasu". However, in Kyushu (* 3), the birthplace of Yuzu pepper, Yuzu pepper is also popular since before. Yuzu pepper that fits a variety of dishes beyond imagination, such as not only Japanese food but also Western food, this winter, why not try to "taste" the usual menu with Yuzu pepper?

If you would like to taste something new, why not mix yuzu with your homemade smoothie? Add Yuzu to ingredients such as fruit and yogurt, and put it in a mixer to make a refreshing smoothie! There are many recipes published, so please try searching on the internet. If you want a hot drink, there is also a hand called Yuzu Tea.

また、フランス発のショコラティエやパティスリーにも、ゆず入りのチョコレートやマカロンが売られています。日本の冬の味覚・ゆずの魅力をフランスのスイーツで味わうのも楽しそうです。

This winter, JR East's ＜ekinaka＞ It is in" acure"Vendor" also has seasoned Yuzu flavored water lines. "【Mineral water】From AQUATokushima Yuzu x Jasmine]acureMountain valley lined with vending machines【Mineral Water】"【Mineral water】From AQUAIn addition, the yuzu juice, and the elegant scent of jasmine!【Mineral Water】It is "sugar free & non-calorie" to be able to enjoy the refreshing feeling of deliciousness & Yuzu.

Yuzu used is a fragrant material from Tokashima, Mecca of citrus acid citrus.【Mineral Water】The juice is 1% to enhance the clear drinking comfort. Since the flavor of jasmine is also added, the Japanese flavor with yuzu seems to be more fashionable and refreshing.

Because it is zero sugar, it is also recommended for those who do not like sweet drinks and those who are looking for refreshing drinks that will not get tired even if they drink daily.

The water of the Tanigawadake, which is always more puffy and fragrant【Mineral water】From AQUATokushima Yuzu x Jasmine ", the usual stationacurePlease look for in the vending machine of "".

※ 1 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 2015 Survey on Special Fruit Tree Production Dynamics etc.
※ 2 Reference:"France 365"
※ 3 There are various theories about Yuzu pepper birthplace
Reference: "Illustration Illustrated book of fruits" (Mynavi Publishing), "Fruit handy book" (Takahashi Shoten)

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