Shikuwasa: Okinawa's Little Green Citrus (and Why It's in This Month's Box)

If you've ever squeezed a lime over a taco, you already understand half of what shikuwasa is about. This tiny citrus is one of the flavors people in Okinawa grow up with, and every fall it shows up everywhere here: in juice bottles, in candy, and squeezed over dinner.

What is shikuwasa?

Shikuwasa (シークヮーサー) is a small citrus native to Okinawa. The fruit is about the size of a ping-pong ball, and it grows in family orchards and on hillsides across Yanbaru, the green, forested north of Okinawa's main island. Its name is often said to come from old Okinawan words meaning something like "to give sourness," which tells you exactly what to expect.

What does it taste like?

Think of a cross between lime and mandarin. It's sharp and bright up front, with a fresh, slightly floral aroma and a gentle bitterness from the peel. On its own it's very sour, which is why locals rarely eat it like an orange. Instead, it's used the way you'd use lemon or lime: a little goes a long way.

Green now, golden later

Shikuwasa has two seasons. From late summer into fall, the fruit is picked while still green. This early harvest is the most sour and aromatic, and it's what most juice is made from. Later in the year, the fruit ripens to yellow-orange and turns sweeter and milder, closer to a small tangerine. The green, first-picked fruit is the one that tastes most like early autumn in Okinawa.

How people in Okinawa use it

• Squeezed over food: grilled fish, sashimi, fried dishes, and even noodles.
• In drinks: mixed with water or soda, or added to awamori, Okinawa's traditional spirit.
• As juice: bottled shikuwasa juice is a staple in Okinawan supermarkets, usually diluted before drinking.
• In sweets: candy, jelly, and baked goods that balance its tartness with sugar.

From the north of the island

Much of Okinawa's shikuwasa comes from Yanbaru, including villages like Ogimi and the area around Nago. I live in Nago, so shikuwasa season isn't something I read about. It's something I see on the shelves of the local shops I visit every week.

Why it's in our September–October box

Our September–October theme is Shikuwasa First Harvest. Tucked into this box, you'll find shikuwasa candy: a small, easy way to taste this flavor even if you've never seen the fruit itself. It's a seasonal pick, so once this box is gone, we'll move on to the next season's flavors.

Want to try it? See this month's Chura Pantry box.

Mata ne (see you soon),
Koei