Several stalks of purple shiso grow on the Munchies Rooftop Garden but, ironically, I didn’t get my leaves from there. I came downstairs one morning and found them in a vase on the kitchen counter. A secret admirer? No. I wish. But a kind, loving gesture from dear ol’ Papa.
“I thought you could use them for your blog!” He said. He brought home 2 bushels from a co-worker’s garden. So kind. I love it when friends and family buy me food gifts (*cough cough* in case you were wondering). His co-worker’s favorite way to use it is in tea. Simply boil the leaves in water to extract their minty flavor. Then the cool part— add a few drops of lemon juice and watch the green tea turn bright pink right before your eyes!
Shiso, green or purple, is an herb similar in flavor to basil, mint, and anise. It adds a bright freshness to pretty much anything—pizza, rice bowls, eggs, you name it! I used it a gnocchi recipe I tested in the Munchies Test Kitchen.
But here’s the thing, it’s technically a weed. Meaning there’s often a lot of it. So if you find yourself with too much shiso, try some drink or pickle recipes that require 20 or more leaves. Larger leaves (almost the size of my hand) are great to use as lettuce wraps or serving plates!
Next time you see these in a garden or farmer’s market, grab a couple and see if shiso is a new herb you can get down with.
T <3
Before vs. After the addition of Lemon Juice
BASICS
About: Purple shiso is often used in Japanese cuisine to dye pickled ginger and plums (umeboshi). The herb is popular for providing a brilliant fuchsia color to food and drinks, but also adds minty aroma to any dish. Technically a weed, shiso grows easily and in abundance, so I suggest preserving it in vinegar or drying it to be used throughout the year.
AKA: beefsteak plant • perilla • purple mint • sesame leaf
Origin: China • India • Southeast Asia
Plant: Perilla frutescens
Varieties: green • ruffled leaves
In Season: early spring through autumn
Fun Fact: Japan released a Shiso flavored Pepsi in 2009.
Nutrients: calcium • iron • vitamin C
Benefits: soothes headaches • helps treat respiratory aliments • alleviates nausea and vomiting
Substitutes: basil • thai basil • mint • peppermint
SHOP
Store: Asian markets or farmer’s markets
Online: Baldor • Johnny Seeds (seeds) • Kitazaseed (seeds)
Selection: Choose leaves that are sturdy without tears or discoloration. The smaller the leaf, the better the flavor. Larger leaves are better for leaf wraps or garish.
Other Products: Shiso Furikake • Red Shiso Syrup • Shiso Powder • Dried Loose Leaf
PREPARE
Cut: The leaves can be used whole, cut into thin strips, or minced.
Cook: Its flavor dissipates when cooked, so shiso is almost always eaten raw. But you can use it like any other herb: tossed in the middle of cooking, sprinkled on the finished dish as a garnish, or infuse in vinegar or olive oil.
Storage: Layer the shiso leaves between paper towels then place them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks or in the freezer for 3-4 months. If the stems are still attached, wrap the ends with a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag and into the fridge.
EAT
Taste: grassy • mild • anise • licorice • spearmint • hot tang
Suggested Uses: toss with salads • stir fry • fruit • pasta • add to roasted veggies, fish, or tofu • use in co*cktails and tea • batter and deep-fry • pickled or marinate • garnish to accent dishes • use as a plate for condiments • use a leaf wrap • serve on rice or scrambled eggs
Recipes:
Lemon Shiso Seasoning
Chawanmushi
Shibazuke Pickles (via Just One Cookbook)
Sweet Potato and Harissa Soup (via Donna Hay)
Raspberry Shiso Jam (via Style Me Pretty)
Shiso Shrub (via Munchies)
Purple Shiso Pesto (via Chowbacca)
Ume Shiso Pasta (via Food)
~*~ MORE ~*~
Make a Shiso Tote Bag
Purple Shiso from the Munchies Rooftop Garden
What do you know about Purple Shiso?
Related
FAQs
Shiso is a great source of calcium, potassium, iron, vitamins A, B2 and C and is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and rosmarinic acid, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making them a healthy choice for humans.
What is purple shiso in sushi? ›
The vivid hues of deep purple and dark green create a stunning contrast that adds a touch of elegance to any plate. Whether used as a garnish for sushi, scattered over sashimi or delicately placed on top of salads, the Micro Purple Shiso leaves are sure to impress both your eyes and your palate.
What is the difference between red shiso and purple shiso? ›
Types of Shiso
Red shiso (or purple shiso) is thicker and the more bitter of the two. It is often used to color foods and for pickling, lending its deep color to Japanese pickled plums and even neon-pink shiso juice. Green shiso, on the other hand, is the one you'll encounter served alongside your sushi and sashimi.
How do you eat purple shiso? ›
Cut: The leaves can be used whole, cut into thin strips, or minced. Cook: Its flavor dissipates when cooked, so shiso is almost always eaten raw. But you can use it like any other herb: tossed in the middle of cooking, sprinkled on the finished dish as a garnish, or infuse in vinegar or olive oil.
Can you eat shiso leaves raw? ›
Shiso is extremely versatile.
Raw leaves are delicious tossed into salads or used wherever you might add savory green herbs. Or you can cook them up like tender spinach — steamed, sautéed or tempura-fried.
Does perilla raise blood pressure? ›
Intake of Alpha-Linolenic Acid-Rich Perilla frutescens Leaf Powder Decreases Home Blood Pressure and Serum Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Japanese Adults Molecules.
Is Purple shiso spicy? ›
The leaves come in either a delicate purple or green colour. The edible leaves are earthy and spicy with herbal and sweet flavours. The flavours and aromas of the leaf are reminiscent of basil and mint with a mildly spicy aftertaste.
Are shiso leaves expensive? ›
Depending on your location, shiso can be a bit hard to find fresh and can be slightly more expensive than other fresh herbs.
Is shiso healthy? ›
Shiso, also known as Japanese mint, wild sesame or Perilla, is a primary culinary herb of Asia. Scientists have studied shiso tea's ability to restore health with its high antioxidant value and aromatic compounds.
Does shiso taste like cilantro? ›
It has a mysterious, bright taste that reminds people of mint, basil, tarragon, cilantro, cinnamon, anise or the smell of a mountain meadow after a rainstorm.
Akajiso (赤紫蘇) in Japanese, red shiso or purple shiso, also called perilla in the west, is a plant of the mint family (see the photo above on the left). It is a quintessential herb for Japanese cuisine and used in many ways.
What is shiso in English? ›
This is shiso also known as perilla leaf in English. Shiso is an aromatic leaf, related to the mint and basil family. Although it's commonly recognizing as a garnish in sushi dishes, shiso can also be found in other East Asian cuisines such as Korean and Vietnamese.
What pairs well with shiso? ›
The herb pairs well with fatty fish like salmon, yellowtail, and tuna, and can be enjoyed by wrapping a whole leaf around a piece of sashimi and dipping it in soy sauce. Shiso also complements vegetables and fruits. Julienned shiso leaves are often mixed with salads to add a fresh, citrusy flavor.
How long does shiso last in the fridge? ›
Tips For Storing Shiso
Shiso leaves do not stay fresh at room temperature very long because they dry out very easily, but you can extend the life of your fresh shiso (to about four days) by placing them in the refrigerator, preferably inside a damp cloth to keep them moist.
Why is my shiso bitter? ›
The latter variety is milder in flavor, though some tasters found it extremely bitter (the purple color is due to a compound called anthocyanin to which some people are more sensitive than others; it is thought to be the cause of the leaf's bitter taste). Both the red and green leaves are slightly astringent.
What are the medicinal benefits of shiso? ›
The herb's anti-inflammatory characteristics are used to treat everything from asthma, arthritis, and eczema. It has also been used as a herbal treatment in Japan for generations. Shiso leaves are a fantastic, healthful addition to salads, soups, and stews since they are rich in calcium and iron.
How to use purple perilla? ›
Perilla Edible Uses
The leaves have a very pleasant sweet taste and are used as a spice, cooked as potherbs or fried, and combined with fish, rice, vegetables and soups. It is also chopped and combined with ginger root, then added to stir-fries, tempuras and salads in many Asian countries.
Are purple perilla leaves edible? ›
But it's in Korean food where the love for the perilla plant dominates, with a smattering of uses from top to bottom. Deulkkae, the seeds, are toasted, then sprinkled into soups or pressed into oil. The leaves are used fresh as ssam (wraps) at Korean barbecues.
Does shiso repel bugs? ›
Since shiso naturally repels insects as it a part of the mint family, it does not attract any and will not cause harm to other plants near it in this regard. However, shiso may be apt to get Downey mildew. For this reason, it is important to ensure that it has ample space in the garden and is not overwatered.
