What makes the citrus family so exciting is that it consists of numerous delicious and aromatic fruits, among others pomelo and yuzu. They are both sour and succulent, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, but are they really as similar as we think?
And now the question arises, how similar are pomelo and yuzu?
Pomelo vs Yuzu
Pomelo and yuzu are different citrus fruits, with pomelo being one of the original 4 citrus ancestors. Pomelos are larger than yuzu, and the Chinese word for pomelo (youzi) used to include yuzu but not only refers to pomelo. The Japanese word yuzu is derived from that old meaning, so this could be the reason for a lot of confusion.
While you can eat a pomelo’s flesh, you can’t eat a yuzu as it’s too tough but you can use the juice. Yuzus are an important part of Japanese winter rituals, while pomelo is more international. Now let’s take a closer look at the differences between pomelo and yuzu.
Pomelos are larger than yuzu
Pomelo (Citrus Grandis) is the biggest citrus fruit globally and can reach up a watermelon’s size! With its 25 cm in diameter and up to 2kg in weight, pomelo is a pretty impressive fruit. This pear-shaped plant has a thick rind that peels easily.
Pomelo is a unique citrus species often confused with grapefruit. While both fruits are rich in vitamin C, they are quite different. Grapefruit is actually a hybrid, created by crossing pomelo with sweet orange, whereas pomelo stands alone as a distinct species.
In fact, pomelo, citron, mandarin, and papeda are the original citrus fruits from which all other citrus varieties have been hybridized.
On the other hand, yuzu (Citrus junos) is a hybrid between lemon and orange. Resembling a small mandarin orange, yuzu is round, bumpy, and highly aromatic. Its flesh is too firm to eat, but its juice is incredibly versatile. In Japanese cuisine, yuzu juice is prized for adding fragrance to dishes and is even used to make honey syrup, offering a unique flavor experience.
Read Also: Pomelo Substitutes
Both yuzu and pomelo have similar colors
Pomelo and yuzu may look similar in color—pomelo ranges from pale green to yellow, while yuzu typically shows a bright yellow-orange hue. Unlike pomelo, yuzu has tough, thick flesh, making it unsuitable to eat like a regular fruit. It resembles a sturdier, thicker lemon in appearance.
Despite this, yuzu juice is a staple in Japanese cuisine, adding a unique, sharp zest and fragrant aroma that lemons and limes can’t match. Its refreshing flavor is milder and less sour than other citrus fruits, making it perfect for marmalade-style syrups, sauces, and dressings.
Pomelo is known for its sweet flesh and thick pith, making it the perfect option for salads, fruit dishes, and cocktails. It is very succulent and slightly bitter. People worldwide often utilize its peel to make marmalade. However, the pomelo’s sweet-tart and unique flavor leave no one indifferent!
Yuzu is originally from China
Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, pomelo grows wild in abundance even today. Its popularity has spread over time, leading to widespread cultivation in regions such as Israel and California. Historically, the Chinese have cultivated pomelo for thousands of years, using its leaves and peel in ceremonial baths to ward off evil spirits.
Yuzu, on the other hand, originates from the Yangtze River region in China, where it also grows wild. It was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty and is now primarily cultivated there. Over centuries, yuzu has become an integral part of Japanese cuisine and culture, featuring prominently in festive celebrations across Southeast Asia. Unique among citrus fruits, yuzu can withstand harsh northern Asian winters, surviving temperatures as low as -9°C to -20°C. Today, yuzu is celebrated as Japan’s favorite citrus fruit.
Cooking with yuzu
Yuzu gama, as the name implies, is a type of food that uses yuzu. You should first cut off the top part of the fruit and then scoop up its interior so that you can put the dish into it. This citrus fruit serves as a bowl giving an extraordinary aroma to the yuzu gama. It’s a dish that is typically served for a Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu).
Yuja Cha is a Korean yuzu tea made of the whole yuzu fruit. To prepare it, you should take out the seeds first, chop the fruit, and mix it with sugar. You will have a pleasant hot beverage on the table in minutes, mainly used as a cold remedy.
Cooking with pomelo
Pomelo is most often eaten raw, but it can also be an ideal substitute for other citrus fruits to prepare your meals. Its juice will give your foods a tempting scent and taste. Its flesh is a fantastic choice to prepare salsa, jams, and various marinades. Its peel can be candied and used for a tart treat!
Yuzu baths
It is widely known that in Japan, people take a famous yuzu bath during the winter solstice. They put the whole fruit into the hot water so that the rind could release its aromatic oils and beautiful fragrance.
It is believed that essential oil extracted from yuzu rind is healing, stimulates blood flow, and helps in body relaxation. In Japan, the purification rituals are a must-have to repel evil and invoke happiness. According to legend, everyone who takes a yuzu bath on the winter solstice day won’t catch a cold and will be healthy all year round.
Pomelo baths
In China, people also believe in pomelo’s healing properties. According to legend, it was an indispensable part of their bath rituals. They used to boil the pomelo’s skins and the leaves to prepare a ceremonial bath to cleanse a person from evil and bring good luck.
It is believed that pomelo leaves cleanse a person who takes a pomelo bath because they belong to the sacred pomelo tree. According to Chinese culture, a person attending a funeral should soak in a pomelo bath to keep bad spirits away!
Read Also: Pomelo Varieties
Other uses
In modern European cuisines, people often utilize yuzu in seafood marinade or meat, as a lime replacement in cocktails, as a lemon substitute in desserts, and to give an extra fragrance to their salads. Besides, yuzu is also utilized in preparing mayonnaise and salsa!
Regarding pomelo, apart from the edible fruit, the rest of the tree also serves many purposes. For example, pomelo acts as a natural air freshener. Its leaves can be utilized for aromatic baths, and essential oils can be extracted from its flowers. And, of course, it can be used in refreshing beverages and cocktails.
