Shiso - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Shiso is a Japanese herb that is a member of the mint family and has long been a mainstay of Asian cuisine. It has gained popularity in Western cooking over the years, and in addition to Asian stores, it is occasionally available fresh in conventional supermarkets. It will probably just be referred to as Japanese mint or perilla, as it is also called.

Shiso comes in a variety of forms, each with a distinctive flavour and aroma.

Green shiso can be fried, added to soups or salads, used as a garnish, or used to flavour rice. Citrus and cinnamon combine with a hint of anise to create the flavour. This flavorful herb is also excellent as a spice for meat, radishes, chicken, and fish.

Red shiso, which is significantly hotter than green shiso, is frequently included in salad mixes. The flavour is somewhat softer and akin to basil. The major uses for red shiso are pickling and natural food colouring.

 Shiso seeds can be sprouted, and the blossoms can be used as a garnish.

Origin of Shiso:

This exquisite herb has its roots in the high mountains of China and India. But there is disagreement among the verdicts. Few people give South East Asia any thought as the origin.

Appearance:

Shiso's artistic presentation intrigues me greatly. The best garnishing product is this one. The herb's leaves have blunt tips and wavy or curling edges.

The quiet tiny leaves have pointed points. There is no frost resistance in the plant.

Shiso plant varieties:

Shiso comes in a variety of forms. Different types differ from one another due to their morphology, colour, and regional locations.

Shiso comes in a variety of colours, including red, ruffled, green, bicolor, and variegated. These are all different types of shiso plants.

As a result, only two primary varieties of shiso are found. The first is red, while the second is green. The plums used to make the umeboshi pickle are typically dyed crimson with red shiso.

Culinary use of Shiso:

There are numerous dishes that can benefit from the usage of this adaptable herb. If you frequently eat at Japanese restaurants, you may have already experienced it; it is used to wrap sushi and is added to soups, rice, or tempura.

Shiso that has been chopped up can be added to fish tacos or used as a delicious garnish for tofu. It can be used in place of parsley when making spaghetti, or it can be used with soy sauce and sesame oil to produce a flavorful marinade for grilled chicken. Try this recipe for shiso plum yakitori skewers if you need a place to start.

Shiso has a distinct flavour and tremendous health advantages. Shiso is a well-known antibacterial that can help prevent food illness, so the leaves are frequently offered with sashimi in addition to their flavour.

Health benefits of shiso:

The leaves are frequently combined with hot water to make tea in Japan and other Asian nations. The tea has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and allergy-fighting effects. The immune system and skin health are two further benefits of drinking tea.

The herb's anti-inflammatory characteristics are used to treat everything from asthma, arthritis, and eczema. It has also been used as a herbal treatment in Japan for generations.

Shiso leaves are a fantastic, healthful addition to salads, soups, and stews since they are rich in calcium and iron. The herb also contains a lot of vitamin A, which may reduce your chance of getting some cancers.

Shiso oil is another herb-based alternative to fish oil that can give vegans and strict vegetarians access to omega-3 fatty acids.