Banpeiyu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banpeiyu |
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| Genus | Citrus |
| Species | Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck |
| Origin | Japan |
The Banpeiyu (Japanese: 晩白柚) is a special type of pomelo fruit. It's known for growing to an amazing size! Imagine a fruit that can be as big as a basketball.
In fact, a Banpeiyu fruit once set a Guinness World Record! On December 25, 2014, in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan, a Banpeiyu grown by Seiji Sonoda weighed nearly 4.9 kilograms (about 10 pounds). It was also very wide, measuring over 83 centimeters (32 inches) around.
People in Japan love to eat Banpeiyu fresh. It has a great taste that's a mix of a little bit sour and a nice sweetness. It's also used to make yummy fruit jelly!
Where Does the Banpeiyu Come From?
Today, the Banpeiyu is most famous as a Japanese citrus fruit. It's the most popular type of pomelo grown in Japan. It grows best in the warmest parts of the country.
Even though it's popular in Japan, experts think the Banpeiyu might have come from somewhere else. It might have started in the Malay Peninsula. It arrived in Japan around 1920, after first being introduced in Taiwan. Sometimes, people even call it the "Taiwan pomelo."
The name "Banpeiyu" sounds a bit like "pay you." This is why it has many other names that sound similar!
What Does a Banpeiyu Look Like?
The Banpeiyu tree is quite large and grows very strongly. Its new leaves have tiny hairs on the underside.
The fruit itself is huge and almost perfectly round. It has a very thick, pale yellow skin that is smooth. Inside, the juicy parts are also pale yellow. They are firm but soft and full of juice. The taste is a wonderful mix of sweet and tart. The fruit is divided into 15 to 18 sections, with thin but strong walls between them.
Farmers usually pick Banpeiyu fruits in the middle to late part of the growing season. Once picked, these amazing fruits can stay fresh for several months!
Banpeiyu in Japanese Culture
In Japan, people do something really interesting with whole Banpeiyu and other citrus fruits. They put them in bathtubs! The fruits release a lovely smell into the bathwater. People believe this can help them feel better if they have a cold.
There's even a special bathhouse in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan, that is named "Banpeiyu" because of this popular fruit!
