Shiso Microgreens

Perilla frutescens

About

Shiso has been a defining herb in Japanese cooking for centuries, its bold, layered flavor turning up in everything from sushi to pickles. Shiso microgreens carry that same complex character into a leaf small enough to use as a single, perfect garnish.

Flavor Profile & Texture

The flavor is genuinely unique among microgreens, somewhere between mint, basil, anise, and a whisper of cinnamon, unmistakable once tried. Texturally, the leaves are soft and slightly crinkled, tender enough to eat whole without any chew.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient Amount (Per 100g, Raw)

Calories ~25 kcal

Vitamin A ~ Good source

Vitamin C ~ Good source

Antioxidant compounds ~ Present

Approximate values, based on general USDA and published nutrient data for this or closely related species. Provided for general educational purposes only, not medical advice.

Keeping It Fresh

Store unwashed in a vented, paper towel lined container in the refrigerator, and use within 3 to 5 days, since this is a delicate herb.

Culinary Uses

● Used as a garnish on sushi and sashimi

● Layered into pickles

● Scattered over a poke bowl

● Used to wrap bites of grilled meat

● Muddled into cocktails

Complementary Meals

Breakfast: Scatter shiso over a Japanese style breakfast of rice, egg, and pickles for an authentic finishing note.

Lunch: Use as a garnish on a poke bowl or sushi roll, where its complex flavor plays beautifully against rice and raw fish.

Dinner: Wrap it around bites of grilled meat, or use as a finishing garnish on a Japanese inspired dinner, where a single leaf changes the character of the whole bite.

Drink Pairings

Wine: A dry, aromatic white such as Gewurztraminer echoes shiso's own complexity. Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega, GA, is worth exploring for a wine with this character.

Beer: A Japanese style rice lager keeps things clean and complementary. Wild Heaven Beer, based in Avondale Estates, GA, offers clean lager options.

Spirits: Shiso is a favorite in craft cocktails, often muddled into a gin based drink. ASW Distillery's Winterville Gin, made in Atlanta, GA, is a fitting base.

Non-Alcoholic: A green tea kombucha offers a complementary herbal note when a shiso specific option is not available. Golda Kombucha in Atlanta, GA, has green tea varieties suited here.