Ryu no Namida -Tears of the Dragon, Yuko Ponzu, Kappoutoshi, Japan

Ryu no Namida - Tears of the Dragon - is the name of this fantastic product from Nagasaki, the birthplace of Ponzu, this unique Japanese seasoning sauce made from shoyu and citrus fruits. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of varieties of ponzu made with all kinds of citrus fruits (of which Japan has over 150 varieties!), but this white shoyu-based ponzu is made with the very, very rare yuko fruit. So special that Slowfood recognized this fruit as a culinary heritage back in 2008. This citrus fruit has been known in Nagasaki since the Edo period, but currently there are only about 100 trees that thrive more or less wild. Similar in fruitiness to yuzu but slightly sweeter, this fruit was very popular with the Dutch who lived in Nagasaki from 1641 to 1854. This ponzu was created by Kappoutoshi, a specialty restaurant serving fine Kappou cuisine in Nagasaki For white-fleshed fish sashimi, carpaccio, dressings, grilled seafood, oysters. Tip: Season raw carrots with this ponzu!