Yuzu & Black Tea Poached Pear

When pears are in season, and you're looking for a fresh take, this is the perfect recipe to try: Poached pears in Japanese black tea with yuzu peel!

Made with Japanese ingredients, this delicate dessert combines the gentle aroma of yuzu peel with the subtle depth of Japanese black tea. With each bite, the pear melts on your tongue—light, fragrant, and perfectly balanced. It’s a refreshing twist on a classic poached pear, with a hint of Japanese elegance.

What is Yuzu ?

Yuzu (ゆず), sometimes called Japanese citron in English, is a type of Japanese citrus fruit with a bright, refreshing flavor that’s both tart and aromatic. We use the dried peel to poach pears.

Yuzu peel adds a bright citrus aroma to the tea, similar to the way bergamot is used in Earl Grey. Citrus and black tea are a natural match.

There are various forms of dried yuzu peel (photo below). Either larger pieces or thin shavings works well in this recipe.

0820.M3 Premium Organic Dried Yuzu Citrus Peels from Higashimera Village, Miyazaki Prefecture 宮崎県東米良地区の乾燥有機柚子皮 (photo left)

#0819.S5 Premium Organic Dried Yuzu Citrus Peels from Haruno Village, Shizuoka 静岡県春野町の乾燥有機柚子皮 (photo right)

More yuzu peel from here

Wakoucha, Japanese Black Tea

Japanese black tea ,or wakocha (和紅茶), is produced using tea cultivars meant for Japanese green tea such as Yabukita, Okumidori and Sayamamidori, or using tea cultivars specially developed for Japanese black tea such as Benifuki, Benihikari.

The black tea grown in the Japanese climate tends to be milder and less astringent with subtle sweetness than black teas from other part of the world.

#0050.S5 NaturaliTea: Japanese Black Tea Setoya Momiji from Shizuoka 有機和紅茶　瀬戸谷もみじ

#0052.S5 NaturaliTea: Setoya Momiji Black Tea, 3-gram tea bags

This black tea used in this recipe is made mainly from Yabukita tea leaves, and has a smooth, mellow flavor with low astringency and a natural sweetness.

Poaching pears in tea enhances their natural sweetness, adds a gentle aroma, and harmonizes beautifully with other ingredients like yuzu and spices. It also gives them an elegant appearance.

You can use either loose leaf tea or tea bags. Feel free to use any black tea you already have as well.

Poached Pear in Black Tea with Yuzu Peel Recipe

Ingredients

8 g black tea leaves or tea bags
400ml water
100g sugar
2 pears
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3g dried yuzu peel
spices (4 cardamon pods, 1 cinnamon stick)

For garnish

Thick yogurt like Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream
Crushed cookies

Instructions:

Steep the black tea leaves in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes in a teapot. Remove the leaves.
Pour the brewed tea into a shallow pan. Add the sugar, lemon juice, yuzu peel and spices.
Peel, halve, and core the pears, then gently place them in the pan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a low simmer. Poach the pears for 15-25 minutes, or until tender.
Remove the pears and arrange them in a single layer in a container.
Bring the remaining poaching liquid back to a boil and simmer until it reduces by half and thickens slightly. Remove the yuzu peal and spices.
Pour the syrup over the pears. Let cool, then chill in the refrigerator.

To serve: Place a poached pear on a plate and add a scoop of thick yogurt or ice cream. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top if desired.