New yuzu fruit 'superfood' goes on sale in Waitrose

The yuzu has been hailed as the next superfood because of its level of vitamin C

Juice from a Japanese citrus fruit hailed as the next superfood because of its level of vitamin C is to go on sale in UK supermarkets.

The yuzu, which until now could only be found in the UK on restaurant menus and in specialist Asian food shops, will appear on Waitrose shelves this weekend in the form of a Waitrose Cooks' Ingredients juice selling for £4.59 for a 60ml bottle.

Fans of the fruit include the chefs Jamie Oliver and Nigel Slater, while nationwide chain Yo! Sushi is adding a dish that includes a salsa made of yuzu to its menu later this month.

The yuzu has been used in Asian cooking for centuries, and Waitrose said demand for the fruit had grown as customers became more familiar with Japanese cuisine.

Yo! Sushi said the fruit was "a new flavour for the British palate".

Executive chef Mike Lewis said: "Yuzu looks like a tangerine and tastes similar to a floral lime. It has three times more vitamin C than a lemon, which makes our dish super-healthy."

Waitrose development chef James Bennington said: "This is a potent juice, which is both citrusy and aromatic.

"There's no Western equivalent - it's a complex flavour with hints of mandarin, lemon and grapefruit. Yuzu is so flexible it can be used in savoury dishes, matching particularly well with fish, as well as cocktails and desserts."

The juice can be used in marinades, salad dressings and sauces or as an addition to lemonade and mayonnaise.

PA