Yuzu vs Lemon: How the Citrus Fruits Differ
Yuzu is a plant native to East Asia that belongs to the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae. It is an evergreen small tree blooming in May or June, bearing fruit in Autumn.
Japan is actually the largest producer and consumer of Yuzu, where the citrus fruit is as familiar as lemon.
Yuzu vs. Lemon
But how does a Yuzu differ from a lemon? And how do Japanese people use it in daily life? This article will explain that.
Aroma
Yuzu and lemon are both sour and acidic. But between the two, there is a big difference in aroma.
While lemon features its refreshing scent, the distinctive Yuzu fragrance helps people relax.
Taste
Compared to lemon, Yuzu contains plenty of minerals and is bitter.
Nutritional Values
Based on this online document by the Ministry of Education of Japan, the primary nutritional values of Yuzu and lemon are as follows.
| Per 100 grams | Yuzu Peel | Yuzu Juice | Whole Lemon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 59 kcal | 21 kcal | 54 kcal |
| Water | 83.7 g | 92 g | 85.3 g |
| Protein | 1.2 g | 0.5 g | 0.9 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g | 0.1 g | 0.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.2 g | 7.0 g | 12.5 g |
| Vitamin C | 160 mg | 40 mg | 100 mg |
| Vitamin E | 3.4 mg | 0.2 mg | 1.6 mg |
| β-cryptoxanthin | 440 μg | 15 μg | 37 μg |
Yuzu offers a lot of β-cryptoxanthin, compared to lemon, which serves as an antioxidant in the human body and prevents the aging of cells.
Usage
Unlike lemon, for its relaxation effect, Yuzu is often used in the bath, for example, in Yuzuyu or bath salts.
Japanese beverage companies use Yuzu juice as often as lemon juice.
Meanwhile, Yuzu zest can be seen in various Japanese dishes and condiments, such as ramen, Sunomono, Nabemono, Shichimi Togarashi, Yuzu Miso, and Yuzu Kosho.
(Reference Page: Wikipedia ユズ )
