Japanese Yuzu Vinegar – Vinegar

Yuzu Vinegar from Belberry's Royal Selection

Japanese Yuzu Vinegar is a Belgian fruit vinegar based on white wine vinegar with the juice of the Japanese citrus fruit Yuzu. A clear, floral-citrusy vinegar — between lime and mandarin — for fish, seafood, and sorbets.

Yuzu Vinegar by Belberry is a clear, fruity fruit vinegar from the Royal Selection line, produced in Kortrijk, West Flanders. In this 200 ml bottle, you'll find the meeting of two worlds: a white wine vinegar from Belgium and the juice of Yuzu, that yellow citrus fruit which grows on slender trees in Kyushu, Japan, and has been perfuming kitchens, teas, and winter baths there for centuries.

Between Lime, Mandarin, and a Subtle Bitter Note

The aroma of Yuzu is distinctive and complex, and the vinegar carries it well: notes of citrus blossoms, a hint of grapefruit, less acidic than lemon, less sweet than mandarin. Yuzu contains only about two-thirds of the acidity of a lemon, and one kilogram of fruit yields only about 100 ml of juice.

On the palate, the Japanese Yuzu Vinegar is clear and vibrant, with a subtle bitter trace that enhances its aperitif character. Floral, fresh, gently spicy — a vinegar that is inconspicuous in the bottle but shines on the plate.

We enjoy it with fish, poultry, and sorbet

Yuzu vinegar loves the lighter dishes in cuisine: with raw fish for a ponzu-like note, with seafood, with pan-fried salmon or chicken. A few drops over sautéed scallops or sashimi elevate the dish to a new level without overpowering it.

We also love the vinegar in desserts: a splash over lemon sorbet, mango quark, or a coconut panna cotta brings a fresh depth that you don't typically get from lime. Our tip: a teaspoon of Yuzu vinegar in a glass of Prosecco or tonic with ice – a lovely aperitif for balmy evenings.

We particularly like the vinaigrette for rocket, fennel, and orange segments: three parts mild olive oil, one part Yuzu vinegar, a hint of honey, salt, and pepper. Shake before use, store in a cool, dark place after opening – this keeps the citrus aroma vibrant for a long time.

Kortrijk, Two Generations and an Unusual Citrus Fruit

Belberry Fine Food Creators is located in Kortrijk, West Flanders, where André Vandererfven took over a small gourmet business from the late 19th century in 1956. His son Thierry has been expanding the Royal Selection line since 1990 — jams, fruit sauces, ketchups, and fruit vinegars, all without preservatives.

Yuzu itself is an ancient fruit from the Yangtze Basin in China, which arrived in Japan about 1,300 years ago. Today, the majority grows in the prefectures of Kochi and Tokushima, with the harvest running from October to January. In Europe, fresh Yuzu is a rarity; the price per kilogram often exceeds 50 euros. That Belberry brings this fruit into a white wine vinegar is a beautiful little culinary bridge between Belgium and Japan.

The citrus jams, which Queen Paola particularly likes, have earned Belberry the title of purveyor to the Belgian royal family. Quite an achievement. If you'd like to taste your way through the line, you'll find the complete Belberry range with us – for example, the Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar, the Sweet Raspberry Vinegar, or other fruit vinegars from our assortment.