Korean Citron Tea known as Yuja cha in Korean, is called Yuzu Cha in Japanese. It is a very popular tea drink in Japan. I am one of those who love Yuzu fruit and lucky enough to now be able to get FRESH Yuzu in Queensland! So I am updating my recipe on how to make this traditional Korean tea.
What is YUZU?
Yuzu is a Japanese citrus which is like something between a lemon and mandarin. It is not usually consumed as fresh fruit, but instead is frequently used in Japanese cooking. Dishes like Yuzu ponzu, Yuzu kosho, and in Japanese sweets like Yuzu monaka. Yuzu is by far my favourite flavour of any citrus fruit.
Thank goodness, I am from a prefecture which is famous for citrus produce such as mandarin and Nanko Ume (plum). In my mom’s fridge, I would always find a lot of Yuzu rolling around at the bottom of the veggie drawer. So whenever I go back to Japan, I make this citron tea.
Where is the fresh Yuzu available?
In Australia, it is quietly gaining popularity and Yuzu is now commercially available. Check this ABC news article about this citrus fruit. If interested you could read this report about how many Australian chefs love the fruit here on SBS and Mountain Yuzu. You can get Yuzu products from Mountain Yuzu online shop. In the U.S. Yuzu seems to grow in California, so check the availability at Produce Market Guide.
Where did I get fresh yuzu fruit? One lovely reader of Chopstick Chronicles contacted me saying that she has a yuzu tree and harvested over 70 yuzu fruit this year. Because she is living not so far away from where I live, I, of course, begged if I could visit her. She kindly invited me to pick some of my own. I was so excited to see Yuzu on a tree in Queensland.
How to make Yuzu Cha?
It is very simple and easy. Also, it only requires two ingredients: Yuzu and rock sugar. First of all, rub unrefined coarse salt on yuzu to clean the yuzu surface. Wash off the salt and remove any spots with a knife. Remove seeds, slice the yuzu rind thinly. Place the yuzu and rock sugar alternately in a container and wait for 3 to 4 days to mature.
How to use this Korean citron tea Yuja cha?
You can enjoy it as a hot drink or iced tea. Place two tbsp of yuja marmalade into a cup and pour hot water over. It will be great for easing sore throats as Yuzu contains vitamin C, the same as other citrus fruits. Or you can use it to bake some sweets or use as yogurt topping etc. I will share my ideas on the blog soon.
What can you substitute the rock sugar with?
I recommend to use rock sugar. Because rock sugar melts slower than other sugars such as caster sugar and it does not harden when it absorbs the juice. Furthermore while melting slowly, it brings out the refreshing and distinctive flavour of Yuzu. However, if you can not access rock sugar you could substitute it with honey or sugar. Use a 1 to 0.5 yuzu to sugar/honey ratio.
How long does Korean citron tea, yuja cha store?
It takes about 3-4 days to mature or for all the rock sugar to melt. Once all the sugar has melted, store it refrigerated. It is recommended to use it all within a week. If you are going to freeze it, divide them into the amount to use at once (in this case 2 tbsp) and freeze them. It will last for a month in the freezer.
Hope you enjoy Korean Citron Tea Yuja Cha or Yuzu Cha in Japanese. If you liked my recipe for Yuzu cha, please rate it and leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Youtube, Pinterest, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChopstickChronicles so I can see your wonderful creations!
Yuzu Cha ゆず茶
Instructions
- Rub coarse unrefined salt to clean the surface of the yuzu fruits. Wash the salt off under running water.
- Remove any scars and spots off the fruit with a sharp knife.
- Cut each yuzu into 4 pieces.
- Remove all seeds and trim the centre edge of the pulp. *2
- Slice all yuzu rinds thinly.
- Place one-third of sliced yuzu in the bottom of a clean jar *3
- Place one-third of rock sugar over Yuzu in the jar.
- Repeat the process twice more time
- Keep it in cool place for 4-5 days. The rock sugar will start to melt in a couple of days.
- Stir at least once a day. Refrigerate after the rock sugar melt.
- To have a cup of yuzu tea, place 2 tablespoons of Yuzu Cha in a cup and pour hot water and stir.
Love this recipe had Yuzu fruit but didn’t know what to do with it, have just made my second batch of Yuzu Cha it is easy and so tasty everyone loves it. Thank you
Thank you for making yuzu chan with my recipe. I am glad to know you and your family love it, Sherrie 😀
I hope this comment won’t be offensive to anyone.
(That way I won’t need to ship crateloads of apples to anyone.)
My sister boards Korean exchange students in Canada
One family sent her a large jar of Yuja-cha as a gift
It was so delicious. I loved it! But as well as drinking it, I put heaping tablespoons atop of my vanilla ice-cream. I hope that doesn’t make me uncouth.
But, I’m delighted to learn the recipe.
Hi Caroline, yes they are delicious. Yuzu is my favorite citrous 😀
Hi Shihoko,
This sounds like it doesn’t take long to make..It looks delicious, pretty, easy and healthy. Definitely going to try this weekend.
Thank you Shams, no it does not take long time and really no cooking skills required 😀
This was perfectly timed for me. I’ve just tied this recipe for this citron tea, and it really helped my very sore throat. Thank you !
You are welcome Frank and hope you get well soon 😀
This was a very informative post – you sure know everything about yuzu! I especially like how it can ease sore throats – very helpful during the cold season!
Thank you for the comment and 5 star rating 😀
Can’t wait to try this recipe, I know my family will love it!
Thank you Shadi 😀 I am sure your family will love this tea 😀
I have a yuzu tree in my backyard here in Brisbane. The tree is about 10 year so old. This year it has 87 fruit on it so I will definitely be making some yuzu tea.
Hello Meg!! Seriously?? Could I come to visit you? please? Could I send you email? or could you send me email? I have been trying to grow it from a seed.
Yes email me
Thank you Meg, I am soooo excited 😀
Shihokoさん, I am an interesting reader of your posts about Japanese cuisine:) But one thing I want to tell you is that Yuzu tea is Korean traditional tea. this tea name is -yuja tea- and Japanese pronunced it as Yuju tea. Yuja-cha, a tea that began in ancient times, is stored by Koreans who suffered extreme cold in winter (and also helps ease cold symptoms). many Koreans love it!
As a Korean, I am very proud about that tea has been very popular in China and Japan since the 2000s. I hope you will write the correct nationality of the recipe.
thanks:)
Hi Seo-san, Thank you for reading my blog and the correct information. I am updating all posts one by one. I will update this post as well with correct information 😀 Thank you.
Hi, is there any other type of citrus to substitute yuzu? It would be nice to have hot yuzu cha in the winter 😍
Hi Astari, I have never tried other citrus so I am not sure….
wow i never seen anything like this!
Wow it’s really nice, I hope you try it 😀
Definitely worth paying $15! 🙂
Have you seen fresh yuzu at any markets in Brisbane? I really want to make some Korean version of Yuzu tea as well. But haven’t found one yet.
I did actually bought yuzu tree online a few month ago too. Lol. (I’m desperate!)
It’s still in a pot (smallish), so it will take a long time (many years probably) to see any fruit. 🙁
Hi, Sue 😀 Same here. I have not seen fresh Yuzu and want to grow it myself too, but have not bought tree yet. Have seeds to germinate though. Long process before harvest Yuzu but I am desperate too LOL, because Yuzu is my favourite citrus. If I find any fresh ones, I will let you know 😀
I bought a small yuzu tree from Home Depot 2 years ago, expecting to wait a few years for fruit. The following spring, it bloomed and several fruit dropped, but 3 remained. This year, I have 12 remaining fruit, 2 are yellow and almost ready to pick, but the last 10 are green yet. I have heard that seed grown trees have better flavor so I will plant some this year. So excited to make yuzu cha and yuzu kosho! There is a New Zealand yuzu company that sells the fruit. Aloha, Kuulei
That is so cool!!
how long will this last in the fridge, once opened?
Hi Linda 😀 It will last about 3 months in the fridge. If you sterilize the jars that you are going to use by boiling, Yuzu Cha will last longer.
i was hoping to make a dozen or so to give to friends. if i sterilize the mason jars then fill them, how long will the shelf life be before opening? after opening it should last 3 months in the fridge… right?
also…could i use honey instead?
so excited to make this recipe. thank you.
Hi Linda, If you want to make yuzucha bulk using honey, I recommend the following.
Wash yuzu and juice the yuzu(keep the juice of course). Remove the seeds out and slice the yuzu skin into thin strips and place them in a pot. Add honey and simmer. Pour them into a sterilised mason jars and keep them in the fridge 😀
Found you via Twitter, and so glad that I did. I’m struck by your lovely photography! I looking forward to tying this citrus recipe, and some others on your blog! –G
Thank you Ginger Wroot 😀