Shiso Bi Color
Shiso is a unique herb known for its sweet, herbal flavor with subtle flowery undertones. Derived from the perilla plant, a member of the mint family, Shiso is widely used in various international cuisines. Its rich, deep purple leaves make it both a flavorful and visually striking addition to dishes. Shiso comes in different colors of which we produce the purple and bicolored type.
History and Fun Facts
Shiso originated in the highlands of China and India and has since spread worldwide. In China, it is called zǐsū, a name that eventually became shiso in Japanese. This herb plays an essential role in Japanese cuisine, where it is often used as garnishment or in pickled forms. Shiso comes in different varieties, including purple and bicolored types, both of which we produce for chefs who value its bold flavor and versatile culinary uses.
Culinary Uses
Shiso Bi-Color’s sweet yet herbal flavor, combined with its floral undertone, makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. The leaves can be used fresh in salads or as a garnish for sushi and sashimi, where they share a fresh and aromatic touch. Its vibrant bi-colored leaves also make it a stunning addition to rice bowls or noodle dishes.
When grilled or steamed, shiso gives its herbal sweetness to fish, meat, or vegetables, often wrapped around these ingredients to infuse them with its complex flavor. Shiso Bi-Color is also popular in pickling, adding an aromatic depth to pickled vegetables. Additionally, it is used in beverages such as teas and cocktails, where its floral undertone shines through, complementing both sweet and savory notes.
In the Japanese cuisine, shiso is extensively used as garnishment or in pickled forms. However, also in the finest kitchens of the Netherlands, chefs like to use our Shiso in many ways. For example Restaurant Rouhi created a beautiful vegetarian dish, that contains celeriac from the BBQ, nashi pear, dashi, truffle, and buckwheat, topped with Bright and Spicy Mix and some of our Shiso Bi Colored leaves.
Shiso Bi-Color Attributes
- Green and purple bi-colored leaves
- Sweet, herbal flavor with a floral undertone
- Commonly used in sushi, salads, and rice dishes
- Ideal for wrapping fish, meats, and vegetables
- Great for pickling and adding depth to beverages
- Visually striking, perfect as a garnish for presentation
