Banpeiyu

Banpeiyu (Japanese: 晩白柚) is a cultivar of pommelo which is producing extremely large fruits.[1] Banpeiyu was the heaviest pommelo which was presented by Seiji Sonoda from Japan for the Guinness World Record at the Banpeiyu Competition in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan on January 28, 2005. This specimen weight was 4.858 kg (10 lb 10 oz) with a circumference of 83.5 cm (32.8 in).[2]

The fruit of Banpeiyu is very popular in Japan for fresh eating, because of its perfect blend of mild acidity with pleasant sweetness,[3] and is also used in the production of fruit jelly.[4]

Origin and names

Banpeiyu is mostly known today as a Japanese citrus and is ranked as the most popular pommelo cultivar of Japan, producing high quality fruits in the hottest regions of that country. Nevertheless it is assumed to be of unknown Malayan origin, and arrived to Japan through Taiwan where it was introduced in 1920, and is sometimes referred to as a Taiwan Pommelo. It is also called with many different names, which are including similar pronouncement to Pay You.[5]

Description

Tree is large and of vigorous growth, new buds are hairy so is the underside of leaves. Fruit is very large and nearly round, thick peel is pale-yellow, smooth and very adherent. Juice vesicles are likewise pale-yellow, firm but tender and juicy, with excellent balanced flavor of sweet and tart, separated into 15-18 segments with thin but tough walls. Fruit is harvested at medium-late season and keeps fresh for several months.[5][6]

In Japanese culture

Banpeiyu and different citrus in a bathtub at Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan.

The Japanese people place whole Banpeiyu[7] and different citrus fruits in bathtubs for aroma and as a remedy for colds,[8] and there is a bathhouse in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan, that is named "Banpeiyu" after the citrus fruit.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Agricultural Products: Banpeiyu Citrus
  2. ↑ Guinness World Record
  3. ↑ Kumanago
  4. ↑ Strawberry Basil
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Banpeiyu in Citrus ID
    • Banpeiyu at the Citrus Variety Collection website
  6. ↑ Pommelo variety description by the Purdue University
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Old “Banpeiyu” Onsen Renewed
  8. ↑ Slow food

External links

Scholarly