OK: Why do you grow yuzu in Umaji?

MT: We've had yuzu for a long time now. The actual cultivation of the yuzu started in 1965, over 30 years ago. 'Actual cultivation' meaning that we've been using the fruit from the natural yuzu trees for a long time now. The trees would bear fruit that would turn yellow in the autumn. The farmers would then pick the fruits, peel them and squeeze them. Then they'd take the juice and use it in their cooking, making yuzu a part of the dietary culture. They'd use it with sushi and other things. Have you ever eaten it?

OK: Yes, I have. I really like it. In what ways do you use yuzu? Do you use it in cooking or in other ways?

MT: Yuzu is a very useful citron. It is fragrant and it has a sour taste. It has a lot of seeds which can also be used along with the skin and the juice; you can use the entire fruit. It can be used as foodstuffs, as bath powder, skin lotion; the different ways of using yuzu are incredibly varied. The oil contained in yuzu skin can be used for aromatherapy, so we'll be making a shipment to Europe to see how they appraise it.

OK: Do you ship yuzu products outside of Kochi Prefecture?

MT: We ship all over the country.