This Winter, Some Super Fruits Are More Super Than Others

Winter is fast approaching. The evenings are getting colder and longer. This is the time of year we’re most prone to cold and flu bugs. The perfect moment to give yourself a healthy booster for your immune system. More and more people in the West are turning to the East for wisdom. Japan to be exact. The very super fruit, yuzu, has recently been announced as flavor of the year by Firmenich, one of the world’s largest companies in the fragrance and flavor business. This Swiss company is renowned for its industry-leading consumer insights and trend forecasting capabilities.

So, what exactly is a yuzu? If you don’t know, it’s a citrus fruit cultivated mainly in East Asia. And recently, as it is becoming more popular, also in Australia, Spain, Italy and France. Though it’s a fruit, it’s rarely eaten as a fruit. It is a preferred ingredient in Japanese cooking, similar to how we use lemon in Western cuisine. It has a hint of lemon flavor, but its tarter taste is closer to grapefruit, with a bit of mandarin thrown in for good measure.

Yuzu isn’t just used for cooking it’s also used for bathing. In Japan bathing with yuzu during the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is a custom that dates back to at least the early 18th century. Why? Because it’s long been believed that yuzu promotes circulation and reduces sensitivity to cold. In the words of an old Japanese proverb: “having a yuzu bath on the winter solstice prevents cold”. Other benefits of this blissful bath fruit: relaxing the mind and promoting sleep. Also, providing a soothing effect for those with arthritis, rheumatism and other muscle pains. The yuzu are floated in cloth sacks in the bath or cut open to release the juice directly into the bath water. Nowadays, you can of course, also buy essential yuzu oils and add that instead.

The Japanese were wise before their time, because this super fruit is a scientific wonder. The very long list of vitamins and minerals includes vitamin C (over three times more than a lemon), vitamins A and B, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc and numerous others. Studies show that the antioxidants may help promote heart health and fight cancer cells. Particularly interesting are limonoids: test-tube studies demonstrate that they fight breast, colon and prostate cancers.

Even its fragrance has soothing effects. In one study, 20 women inhaled yuzu scent for 10 minutes. They experienced a measurable decrease in stress, tension, depression and anger.

More wonders? Well, it’s also an ingredient in cosmetics, for softening skin, skin lightening and even preventing wrinkles.

Miron’s Violet Glass, a Welcome Ingredient for Physical and Mental Well-Being

Whatever it’s used for, the yuzu fruit is renowned for its longevity and long shelf life. What better then, than glass packaging that in some cases can extend this shelf life significantly? More than any other glass, plastic or aluminum packaging on the market.

Also, just like the yuzu fruit, our violet glass uses the powers of nature and sunlight. Allowing the beneficial rays through to enhance and preserve what’s inside, while keeping the harmful rays out. Science and nature working hand in hand, 100% sustainably, how beautiful is that? A ray of sunshine even on the darkest and coldest winter night. Maybe it’s now time to forget about the weather and treat yourself to a nice relaxing yuzu bath?

Learn more about MIRON and violet glass.