also: へべず
noun
hebesu citrus; hebezu
A variety of small, sour citrus fruit grown in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Often used for juice, ponzu, or eaten fresh. The name is sometimes romanized as hebezu.
宮崎県ではヘベスを使ったポン酢が人気です。
In Miyazaki Prefecture, ponzu made with hebesu is popular.
ヘベスは普通のスダチより酸味がまろやかだと言われています。
Hebesu is said to have a milder acidity than regular sudachi.
The name likely derives from a local Miyazaki dialect or a personal name (平兵衛, Heibei) combined with 酢 (su, vinegar), but the exact origin is uncertain.