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Perilla frutescens Shiso (1 Page of 5) The Perilla frutescens plant species is found in E. Asia - China, Japan, India. It is a member of the Labiatae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Shiso. Some home gardeners know the variety as P. ocimoides. L. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Perilla frutescens Common Name: Shiso Family: Labiatae Author: (L.)Britt. Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 0.6 Mature Width: 0.3 Habitat: Hills and mountains of central and southern Japan[58]. Sunny and fertile situations in China[147].
Edible Uses: Edible young leaves and seedlings - raw or cooked[46, 116, 178, 183]. The flavour is strange to western palates at first, some people detecting cinnamon, others coriander or citrus[206]. Seedlings are added to salads, older leaves are used as a garnish or flavouring[206]. Older leaves are also salted and used as a condiment for tofu and as a garnish for tempura[183]. Leaves from purple cultivars are used to colour preserved fruits[238]. The leaves can also be dried for later use[206]. The leaves contain about 3.1% protein, 0.8% fat, 4.1% carbohydrate, 1.1% ash[179].
Immature flower clusters are used as a garnish for soups and chilled tofu[183]. Older flower clusters are fried and eaten[183].
The seeds are preserved in salt or are used as a spice in pickles, tempura and miso[183, 206]. They are one of the ingredients in 'Shichimi' or 'seven spice' mixture[206]. The seed can also be eaten cooked[105, 178]. Seeds from purple-leaved forms of the plant are preferred for culinary use[238]. The seed contains about 21.5% protein, 43.4% fat, 11.3% carbohydrate, 4.4% ash[179].
An edible drying oil is obtained from the seed[46, 171, 183]. It is rich in linolenic acid[57].
The plant yields an essential oil which is used as a food flavouring in candies and sauces[183].
For further Perilla frutescens gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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