Yuzu Ice Cream
Jul 18, 2008 • Snacks
Yuzu is fruit I’ve only discovered since living here. It’s small, green or yellow (depending on ripeness), and can grow in colder areas than other citrus fruits. Despite knowing this, I have yet to see a yuzu tree in my neighborhood - people are too busy with their plum trees so they can make umeboshi.
I’ve been told that yuzu is used only for the zest from the skin, which has a very bright flavor. The actual flesh of the yuzu fruit is horrible tasting. I’ve had yuzu zest in tea before and it’s really refreshing, like a combination between an orange and a lemon. I figured that if yuzu tea was so good, yuzu ice cream should also be pretty good.
On appearance, it looks like a regular old vanilla soft serve but on closer inspection, you can see the actual chunks of yuzu zest in there. It is one of the best ice cream flavors I’ve ever had. It’s perfect for a hot day, full of citrus flavor, and not heavy like chocolate. I have no idea where I would be able to get this ice cream in the US but I bet you can zest some yuzu into some softened vanilla ice cream and make your own. If I ever get my hands on some yuzu, I will definitely be trying out some recipes.
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Comments
^^ any ice cream is good on a hot summer day.
it looks really interesting. citrusy ice cream that’s not sherbet??? i oughta try that someday.
Googled yuzu and I got a really pruny looking tangerine. Wonder why I never see it at my local Japanese supermarket.
@biankita: Yes, this was definitely ice cream. I doubt they could make sherbet out of this…the flavor would just be too weak.
@Shin: Yeah, they’re not really pretty looking fruits. I’d ask your Japanese grocer next time. It may not be a popular enough fruit to warrant ordering some.
So the skin/zest is actually better than the fruit itself? Sounds like it’s worth trying if I ever find myself in Japan.
Is Yuzu available all over Japan? Or just in the area you live in?
@double: You can buy the fruit almost anywhere when it’s in season, I think. As for the ice cream, it’s not one of the more common flavors.
Oh, had no idea the flavour was from the zest. Love the citrus taste, though I’ve yet to try the ice cream.
Caitlin, you were right, this ice cream is just HEAVENLY on a freakin hot summer’s day…
[...] Caitlin, you were absolutely right.can’t ask for something better than Yuzu ice-cream on a freakin hot summer’s day [...]
*drools*