Ponzu facts for kids
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Ponzu (ポン酢) is a special sauce from Japan. It tastes tangy and is made with citrus fruits. It looks thin and watery, and it's almost clear. Sometimes, people add soy sauce to ponzu. When they do, it's called ponzu shōyu (ポン酢醤油). This mix is dark brown and is often just called "ponzu."
What is Ponzu?
Ponzu is a popular sauce in Japanese cuisine. It has a fresh, sour taste because of the citrus fruits in it. It's not thick like some sauces; it's quite watery. You might see it used in many Japanese dishes.
Where the Name Comes From
The word "ponzu" has an interesting history. It originally came from the old Dutch word "pons." This word meant "punch," like a drink made from fruit juices. The Japanese word "ponsu" sounded similar. Because the sauce is sour, the last part, "-su," was changed to the Japanese character 酢 (su), which means "vinegar".
How Ponzu is Made
Making ponzu involves a few steps. First, ingredients like mirin (a sweet cooking wine), rice vinegar, and special flakes from tuna called katsuobushi are gently heated. Some seaweed, known as kombu, is also added.
After simmering, the liquid is cooled down. Then, it's strained to remove the katsuobushi flakes and kombu. Finally, the juice from citrus fruits is mixed in. Common citrus fruits used include yuzu, sudachi, daidai, kabosu, or even lemon.
How to Use Ponzu
You can buy ponzu in glass bottles at stores. Sometimes, you might see a little bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Ponzu shōyu is often used as a dressing. It's great on tataki, which is meat or fish that's lightly grilled and then sliced. It's also a popular dipping sauce for nabemono, which are one-pot dishes like shabu-shabu. Many people also use it to dip sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish). In the Kansai region of Japan, ponzu is even put on takoyaki, which are delicious ball-shaped snacks made with octopus.
See also
In Spanish: Ponzu para niños
