ヘベス

also: へべず

Meanings

hebesu citrus; hebezu

usually written using kana alone

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.

宮みや崎ざき県けんではヘベスを使つかったポン酢ずが人にん気きです。
In Miyazaki Prefecture, ponzu made with hebesu is popular.
ヘベスは普ふ通つうのスダチより酸さん味みがまろやかだと言いわれています。
Hebesu is said to have a milder acidity than regular sudachi.

Kanji

平even, flat, peace
兵soldier, private, troops
衛defense, protection
酢vinegar, sour, acid

Related words

スダチ
Sudachi is a similar small green citrus, but hebesu is specifically from Miyazaki and has a slightly different flavor profile.
カボス
Kabosu is another Japanese citrus, larger and more yellow when ripe, primarily from Oita Prefecture.

Written forms

ヘベス
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common for this regional citrus name; usually written in kana.
ヘベズ
kana-only spelling
Alternate katakana spelling reflecting the voiced variant.
へべず
Hiragana spelling of the voiced variant.
平兵衛酢
- へべす
  Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
- へべず

Etymology

The name is traditionally explained as a contraction of 平兵衛酢, combining the personal name 平兵衛 with 酢 “vinegar.” 平兵衛 is said to have found and propagated the citrus in present-day 日向, Miyazaki.

ヘベス