Shiso (Perilla, Beefsteak Plant)

I discussed Shiso (Beefsteak Plant) in a previous post, but want to mention it again because I will be mentioning it quite a bit is future posts and I introduce how to make Shiso juice and pickled Papaya using the purple Shiso leaf.  

As a reminder, Shiso (Perilla, Crispa, "Beefsteak Plant" is part of the Mint family and a Perennial, which means it lasts a long time. It has a unique flavor and used in a host of Japanese (Sushi) and other Asian dishes. It will self seed, but over time it may lose it's fragrance. There are Purple and Green types of Shiso. The green type is generally eaten raw, while the purple type is generally added to dishes to enhance the flavor or made into juice.