Brief Summary
This video explores the reasons behind the high price of yuzu in the US and the challenges of importing fresh yuzu from Japan. Despite the abundance of yuzu in Japan, strict import regulations and the threat of citrus diseases prevent fresh yuzu from entering the US legally. This has led to a thriving domestic yuzu market, with US producers like Flavors by Boommy filling the gap. However, the limited supply and high production costs make US-grown yuzu expensive. The video also highlights the cultural significance of yuzu in Japan and its growing popularity in the US, suggesting that yuzu is a trend that is here to stay.
- The US has a limited supply of yuzu, leading to high prices.
- Strict import regulations and the threat of citrus diseases prevent fresh yuzu from entering the US legally.
- US producers like Flavors by Boommy are filling the gap, but their limited supply and high production costs make US-grown yuzu expensive.
- Yuzu is gaining popularity in the US, with chefs and consumers embracing its unique flavor.
Yuzu in Japan: A Citrus Treasure
The video begins by highlighting the vast yuzu production in Japan, where 27,000 tons are grown annually. In contrast, the US has only a handful of yuzu farms, producing a fraction of that amount. This supply imbalance has led to a surge in yuzu's popularity in the US, with menu items featuring yuzu increasing by 33% between 2016 and 2021. Despite the high demand, fresh yuzu from Japan cannot be legally imported into the US due to strict regulations aimed at preventing the spread of citrus diseases.
The High Price of Yuzu in the US
The lack of fresh yuzu imports from Japan has driven up prices in the US, with fresh yuzu costing around $20 per pound. This high price is attributed to the limited domestic supply and the challenges of growing yuzu in the US. The video explores the reasons behind the high price, including the limited supply of fresh yuzu in the US, the challenges of growing yuzu in the US climate, and the strict import regulations that prevent fresh yuzu from entering the US legally.
The Challenges of Growing Yuzu in the US
The video introduces Flavors by Boommy, a family-run orchard in New Jersey that grows yuzu. The Mollik family, who own and operate the orchard, faced numerous challenges in establishing their business, including the lack of information available on growing yuzu in the US and the difficulty of finding suitable land for their greenhouse operation. The video highlights the importance of greenhouses in protecting yuzu trees from diseases and pests, as well as the challenges of scaling up production due to the limited availability of greenhouse space.
The Importance of Grafting in Yuzu Production
The video explains the process of grafting yuzu trees, which is essential for producing fruit within a reasonable timeframe. Grafting involves attaching a budding yuzu stem to the root system of a different, easier-to-grow citrus tree. This process allows yuzu trees to start producing fruit within a few years, as opposed to the 18 years it takes for trees grown from seed. The video also highlights the importance of grafting in ensuring the quality and consistency of yuzu fruit.
The Challenges of Fresh Yuzu Shelf Life
The video discusses the short shelf life of fresh yuzu, which is only a couple of weeks at best. This limited shelf life makes it difficult to transport and store fresh yuzu, further contributing to its high price. The video also explores the use of frozen yuzu as an alternative, but notes that frozen yuzu lacks the freshness and floral notes of fresh yuzu.
The Future of Yuzu in the US
The video concludes by discussing the future of yuzu in the US. While fresh yuzu imports from Japan remain restricted, the growing demand for yuzu in the US is driving innovation and expansion in the domestic market. Flavors by Boommy is expanding its operations to California, aiming to provide fresher yuzu to chefs on the West Coast. The video suggests that yuzu is a trend that is here to stay, with its unique flavor and cultural significance gaining traction in the US.
