Protected local food
Yatsushiro Banpeiyu
八代特産晩白柚
A giant pomelo-type citrus from Yatsushiro in Kumamoto, with large fruit over 4 kg. Strongly fragrant, gently sweet and refreshingly tart.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 30 March 2020
- Region
- Kyushu & Okinawa
- Official name in Japanese
- 八代特産晩白柚
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 熊本県八代市、熊本県八代郡氷川町
A citrus the size of a head
Banpeiyu belongs to the pomelo family, and it is huge: large ones weigh more than 4 kg. The peel gives off a strong, fresh citrus scent, and the flesh is mildly sweet with a clean acidity. In Yatsushiro it is the fruit of winter, and a popular year-end gift.
Why Yatsushiro
Yatsushiro in Kumamoto has fertile, well-drained soil, plenty of water, long hours of sun and mild weather, and sea breezes keep frost away. Pomelos called Yatsushiro zabon have grown here since the 17th century, so locals know how to raise big fruit.
How to eat it
Cut through the thick peel and pull out the segments, then peel each one. Many people leave the whole fruit in a room for a while just for its scent, and the peel is candied as a sweet.
Good to know
- Look for banpeiyu in Kumamoto from winter into early spring. Candied peel (banpeiyu zuke) is an easy gift to carry.
- In Kumamoto, also try Kumamoto Akaushi beef.
Questions travellers ask
How big is a banpeiyu?
Large fruit can weigh more than 4 kg, much bigger than most pomelos.
Is it like a pomelo?
Yes. It is in the pomelo family, with a thick peel and mild, juicy segments.
Where it comes from
More protected foods from the same area
Crafts from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.