What is yuzu?
Yuzu is a small, bumpy, yellow citrus fruit. It's sour and full of seeds, so it's rarely eaten on its own. Instead its juice and zest flavor sauces like ponzu, seasonings like yuzu kosho, drinks and desserts. In Japan it's a winter fruit, harvested in late autumn.
What does yuzu taste like?
Tart and very aromatic. People compare it to grapefruit, mandarin and lemon at once, with a floral smell stronger than any of them. A little goes a long way.
Why does yuzu go with dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate is rich and bittersweet; yuzu is bright and sour. The citrus lifts the chocolate and keeps each bite from feeling heavy, the same way orange works with chocolate, but more fragrant. It's a good bar for anyone who finds milk chocolate too sweet.
Why is fresh yuzu hard to find in the US?
Most of the world's yuzu is grown in East Asia, and only a few US farms grow it, so fresh fruit is rare and expensive in stores. Yuzu juice, zest and flavored products like chocolate are the easiest ways to try it.
Where can I buy yuzu chocolate?
Online, in the frens shop: Dark Chocolate Yuzu ships across the contiguous United States. It's made in small batches, so it sometimes sells out.
Is yuzu chocolate a good gift?
Yes, for anyone who likes dark chocolate, citrus or trying something new. It's also a good winter gift, since yuzu is in season around the holidays. See our Christmas gift guide for more holiday ideas.