Yuzukoshō
Encyclopedia
is a type of Japanese seasoning. It is a paste made from chili peppers
, yuzu
peel and salt, which is then allowed to ferment. It is usually used as a condiment for nabemono
dishes, miso soup, and sashimi. The most famous types of yuzukoshō come from Kyushu
, where it is a local specialty.
; in a Kyushu dialect, however, it refers to chili peppers. Normally green chili peppers are used, but some versions use red peppers. Yuzukoshō made from green chilis is green, while using red chilis yields an orange paste.
and in Soeda, Fukuoka prefecture
.
One theory holds that several villages in Hita were the centers where yuzu cultivation became popular, and where yuzukoshō had been made by families for a long time. Another holds that a garden in Mount Hiko
, a mountain located between Fukuoka and Oita and one of the three sacred mountains of Japan, has a yuzu tree where yamabushi
first created yuzukoshō. The process has been passed down through the generations of yamabushi.
, S & B Foods, McCormick & Company
, and Lion
have started selling it. A version of yuzukoshō in a tube has appeared on the market. Tankankosho is a similar product using the more orange-llike citrus tankan.
, but it is now also found as a condiment for dango soup, udon, miso, sashimi, tempura, and yakitori. Further, since becoming available all throughout Japan, it is being used in various ways. For example, it is being used on spaghetti, salad dressing, tonkatsu, ramen, and shumai.
Large-scale manufacturers have also started using the flavoring in their products. Calbee
makes snack foods such as potato chips that are flavored as yuzukoshō, but they are found in only certain locations. Ezaki Glico
makes PRETZ
with the flavoring, and Meiji
makes a curly corn chip that is sold only in Kyushu. Kameda makes fried mochi chips and senbei as well. However, as snacks must not have any moisture in them, the flavoring is created by combining yuzu powder and chili powder, and real yuzukoshō is not used. In Kyushu, Kit Kat
s with yuzukoshō flavor are sold.
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum is a domesticated species of the plant genus Capsicum native to southern North America and northern South America. The three species C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense all evolved from a single common ancestor located somewhere in the northwest Brazil - Colombia area...
, yuzu
Yuzu
The yuzu is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda...
peel and salt, which is then allowed to ferment. It is usually used as a condiment for nabemono
Nabemono
Nabemono or simply called nabe, is a term referring to all varieties of Japanese steamboat dishes, also known as one pot dishes....
dishes, miso soup, and sashimi. The most famous types of yuzukoshō come from Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, where it is a local specialty.
Characteristics
The last two kanji in the name, koshō, normally refers to black pepperBlack pepper
Black pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The fruit, known as a peppercorn when dried, is approximately in diameter, dark red when fully mature, and, like all drupes, contains a single seed...
; in a Kyushu dialect, however, it refers to chili peppers. Normally green chili peppers are used, but some versions use red peppers. Yuzukoshō made from green chilis is green, while using red chilis yields an orange paste.
Origin
There are theories that yuzukoshō was originally made in Hita, Ōita prefectureHita, Oita
is a city in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, that was founded on December 11, 1940. It is an agricultural and industrial centre that primarily produces lumber, furniture, and pottery...
and in Soeda, Fukuoka prefecture
Soeda, Fukuoka
is a town located in Tagawa District, Fukuoka, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 12,197 and a density of 92.33 persons per km². The total area is 132.10 km².-External links:*...
.
One theory holds that several villages in Hita were the centers where yuzu cultivation became popular, and where yuzukoshō had been made by families for a long time. Another holds that a garden in Mount Hiko
Mount Hiko
, is a mountain on the border between Fukuoka Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture in Kyūshū, Japan. It has an elevation of 1,200 metres.It is an important site for Shugendo, and a famous place for rock climbing.-External links:...
, a mountain located between Fukuoka and Oita and one of the three sacred mountains of Japan, has a yuzu tree where yamabushi
Yamabushi
' are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers. They follow the Shugendō doctrine, an integration of mainly esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon sect, with Tendai and Shinto elements...
first created yuzukoshō. The process has been passed down through the generations of yamabushi.
Popularity
Originally yuzukoshō was made by families, but mass produced versions showed up on the market. It grew in popularity after being offered as a souvenir from Yufuin Onsen, the famous ryokan. It grew in even more popularity when , a major producer of shoyu and miso in Kyushu, began making yuzukoshō. Recently it has become available in supermarkets in the Kanto region. In recent years, major producers like House FoodsHouse Foods
is one of Japan's largest food manufacturers and brands. It began in 1913 in Osaka as Urakami Shoten, and began selling curry in 1926.It is listed on Section 1 of both Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges, symbol 2810. It is headquartered in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan.House Foods is well known for its...
, S & B Foods, McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company manufactures spices, herbs, and flavorings for retail, commercial, and industrial markets. The company began in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. One hundred years later, McCormick moved from downtown Baltimore to the suburb of Hunt Valley, Maryland. McCormick has...
, and Lion
Lion (company)
Not to be confused with Lion Group of Malaysia is a manufacturer of detergent, soap, medications, and oral hygiene products and other toiletries. The company also has a chemical engineering research division which works on developing new products....
have started selling it. A version of yuzukoshō in a tube has appeared on the market. Tankankosho is a similar product using the more orange-llike citrus tankan.
Use
Originally yuzukoshō was used in nabemonoNabemono
Nabemono or simply called nabe, is a term referring to all varieties of Japanese steamboat dishes, also known as one pot dishes....
, but it is now also found as a condiment for dango soup, udon, miso, sashimi, tempura, and yakitori. Further, since becoming available all throughout Japan, it is being used in various ways. For example, it is being used on spaghetti, salad dressing, tonkatsu, ramen, and shumai.
Large-scale manufacturers have also started using the flavoring in their products. Calbee
Calbee
Calbee Foods Co. is a major Japanese snack food maker. It was founded on April 30, 1949. It launched operations at a new plant in the United States for making its mainstay products "Kappa Ebisen" shrimp chips and "Saya-endo" snow pea crisps on Sept 18, 2007. Its snacks are hugely popular in Asia,...
makes snack foods such as potato chips that are flavored as yuzukoshō, but they are found in only certain locations. Ezaki Glico
Ezaki Glico
is a Japanese confectionery company headquartered in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka.The company manufactures the traditional Glico caramel candy, as well as Pocky and many others. The company name, Glico, is derived from a shortening of the word glycogen. The first candy produced by the company was known...
makes PRETZ
Pretz
Pretz is a Japanese snack made by Ezaki Glico. Like Ezaki Glico's other popular snack, Pocky, Pretz is stick-shaped and comes with a texture similar to pretzels. Unlike Pocky, Pretz is dusted with seasonings instead of enrobed in a flavored fudge.Pretz comes in a few varieties and three sizes:...
with the flavoring, and Meiji
Meiji Seika
is the trade name of a pharmaceutical company in Japan, , until March 31, 2011.It was the confectionery and pharmaceutical company that manufactures a wide range of products including Hello Panda and Yan Yan...
makes a curly corn chip that is sold only in Kyushu. Kameda makes fried mochi chips and senbei as well. However, as snacks must not have any moisture in them, the flavoring is created by combining yuzu powder and chili powder, and real yuzukoshō is not used. In Kyushu, Kit Kat
Kit Kat
Kit Kat is a chocolate-coated wafer confection that was created by Rowntree's of York, England, and is now produced worldwide by Nestlé, which acquired Rowntree in 1988, except in the United States where it is made under licence by The Hershey Company. Each bar consists of fingers composed of three...
s with yuzukoshō flavor are sold.