Fresh Citrus

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit prized for its aroma and flavour. Although it originated in China, it has been grown in Japan for centuries and is now cultivated in several regions around the world. Yuzu is often used for its zest and juice rather than eaten like an orange, because it is very tart and contains plenty of seeds.

Yuzu is tart and sharp, with a strong citrus aroma. People often compare it to lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit, but it has its own character – floral, slightly herbal, and gently bitter in the zest. Used in small amounts, it adds fragrance as well as acidity.

Yuzu is usually used as an ingredient rather than eaten on its own. The juice works well in sauces, dressings, marinades, syrups, and drinks. The zest is used where aroma matters most, like finishing seafood, lifting desserts, or adding fragrance to cocktails and teas.

Sudachi is a small Japanese citrus fruit, most strongly associated with Tokushima. It has a clean, lime-like sharpness with subtle herbal notes, and is often squeezed over food just before serving. The juice is commonly used in place of vinegar for a bright, fresh finish.

Yuzu is used across a wide range of Japanese and fusion dishes, thanks to its aromatic acidity and natural sweetness. In savoury cooking, it’s commonly used in yuzu ponzu, which works as a dipping sauce, salad dressing, or marinade, and in yuzu kosho, a fermented paste of yuzu, chilli, and salt that pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, hot pots, and ramen. Fresh yuzu juice also lifts salad vinaigrettes, aioli, and light sauces.

Yuzu works just as well in more developed dishes. Recipes such as Espresso Chilli Yuzu Duck Legs or Miso Prawn Poppadoms use yuzu to balance richness with brightness, making it useful for sharing dishes and dinner parties.

In sweet cooking, yuzu’s floral notes come through in desserts and baking. Candied yuzu peel is often used as a garnish, while recipes like Matcha and Yuzu Pancakes or Yuzu Panna Cotta highlight how well yuzu works with both Japanese and Western flavours.

You’ll find these and other ideas in our recipe collection.

We sell fresh yuzu in 250g, 500g, and 1kg packs. As a guide, 250g is £9, 500g is £17, and 1kg is £34, with final pricing shown at checkout. As with any seasonal produce, prices can vary depending on availability and harvest conditions, so it’s always best to check the yuzu fruit product page for the most up-to-date pricing.

Store fresh yuzu in the fridge. Whole fruit typically keeps well for around 14 days. If you’re using yuzu for sauces or candied peel, shelf life will depend on the recipe — it’s best to follow the storage guidance in that recipe.

There’s no perfect substitute for yuzu’s aroma, but you can get close depending on the dish. For savoury recipes, a mix of lemon and lime can mimic brightness, and a little grapefruit or mandarin zest can help with fragrance. Sudachi can work in some dressings and seafood dishes if you want something sharper and greener. For sweeter recipes and cocktails, Meyer lemon can be a good alternative because it is softer and less sharp.

There are multiple yuzu varieties and cultivars, with differences that tend to show up in fragrance intensity, size, and juice content.

Yuzu is also used for its fragrance. In Japan, yuzu is traditionally added to hot baths around the winter solstice. You’ll also see yuzu used to flavour drinks like teas and cocktails, and its aroma is sometimes used in fragrance-led products.

Free delivery applies to UK delivery addresses on orders over £75. For orders under £75, delivery cost depends on the service you choose at checkout. Options include DHL Express, Royal Mail Special Delivery, and Royal Mail Tracked 24 for UK Highlands & Islands. Orders placed before 11am (Mon–Fri) are shipped the same day.

Some international orders are available via our partners at Dutch Wasabi for the EU and Canada. For other destinations, you can email your order for a shipping quote at hello@thewasabicompany.co.uk or call +44 1929 463824. Full details are available on our delivery policy page.

If there is an issue with your order, we can offer a replacement, refund, or a discount for a future order, depending on the situation. You have 14 days from receipt to request a return. Only non-perishable or faulty products can be returned. To arrange this, contact hello@thewasabicompany.co.uk.

Yes, we often  stock Japanese citrus trees for sale. When available, you may see options such as yuzu, finger lime, Buddha’s hand, Meyer lemon, Japanese bitter orange, sansho pepper, and Szechuan pepper trees. Several of these have dedicated growing guides.

Yuzu grows well in the UK when kept in a large pot, so it can be moved into shelter during winter. It can handle brief cold snaps (around –5°C), but young trees and potted plants still need protection. An unheated conservatory, cold greenhouse, or porch is usually enough through a freezing weather.

In summer, water regularly, letting the compost almost dry between waterings, and reduce watering significantly in winter. Yuzu typically flowers in late spring and fruits in autumn.

Full step-by-step guidance is in our Yuzu Tree growing guide.

Yuzu is a low-calorie citrus fruit and a source of vitamin C, with additional nutrients present in smaller amounts. Most people use yuzu in modest quantities (zest, juice, or both), so it’s best seen as a flavour ingredient with nutritional benefits, rather than a fruit eaten in large servings.