Shiso (Perilla frutescens)

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour is strange to western palates at first, some people detecting cinnamon, others coriander or citrus. — Edible young leaves and seedlings - raw or cooked.; The flavour is strange to western palates at first, some people detecting cinnamon, others coriander or citrus.; Seedlings are added to salads, older leaves are used as a garnish or flavouring.; Older leaves are also salted and used as a condiment for tofu and as a garnish for tempura.

Habitat & North American Range

Hills and mountains of central and southern Japan. Sunny and fertile situations in China. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)