You Do Yuzu
If you’re looking for an enigmatic citrus with mystery and energy, look no further than yuzu. A round, yellow fruit with ruggedly pockmarked skin, its flavour profile is a three-ring circus of citrus: mandarin with citron and green accents of grapefruit and lemon, along with a floral facet to ground the high notes. The extract comes from the peel of the fruit, beloved to perfumers for extending the tenuousness of other citrus notes.
Yuzu holds a special place in Japanese culture, symbolizing prosperity and longevity. Yuzu is used in traditional Japanese carved stone baths and in onsen (natural hot springs), where fruits cut in half float on the surface, imparting their uplifting yuzu woo woo. In perfume, yuzu is tangy and zesty. Depending on how it’s used, it can assertively dominate a composition, or it can cheer from the sidelines, lending a spaciousness that allows the other notes to sing. This curation highlights the surprising range of this sophisticated citrus, from lemon meringue and aromatic thyme, to florals and earthy leather. Choose yuzu!