yuzu

British  

/ ˈjuːzuː /

noun

1. a citrus fruit about the size of a golf ball, a hybrid of a primitive citrus called Ichang papeda and a mandarin, which grows on tall trees in Japan and has a strong sour flavour. Its rind and juice are a popular ingredient in Japanese cookery

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Etymology

Origin of yuzu

C21: Japanese

Explanation

A yuzu is a sour fruit that's related to lemons and oranges. A ripe yuzu is the size of a clementine and has a bumpy peel that's bright yellow. The fragrant East Asian yuzu is a hybrid fruit, a cross between a sour mandarin orange and an Ichang papeda. It was originally grown in China, though it's most often found in Japanese and Korean cuisine, from soups and sauces to desserts. Yuzu isn't just sour — its flavor is complex, often described as a combination of citrus fruits with floral undertones. Yuzu is Japanese, and in Korean it's called yuja.

Example Sentences

A nod to the 1970s, the Superfly is a fizzy, citrus-forward play on Curtis Mayfield’s 1972 track and is made with Roku Gin and yuzu and sencha syrup.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

My wife loves a particular sake and I love Mitsu Mitsu, which has ritual zero proof gin, rosemary and yuzu honey.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

Or take a bright yuzu marmalade: pair it with black sesame seeds, flaked coconut, a drizzle of coconut cream, a swirl of tahini, and a scatter of lime zest.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 2025

Seoul's presidential office said the drink was flavoured with yuzu, a citrus fruit.

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

Miyo, 55, said the limoncello gave the loaf "a kick" but the secret ingredient was a Japanese citrus fruit - commonly known as yuzu.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025