Description
Perilla (Perilla frutescens var.crispa)
Shiko
Bred by one of our Japanese specialist breeders, known as Japanese Shiso. ‘Shiko’ has dark purple serrated leaves, used as a natural food colouring and flavouring, with leaves best steamed thus cooked before use.
English common name: Perilla / Beefsteak Plant
Typical leaf size: 7 x 5cm (length x width)
Maturity: Early
Best period to harvest: once the leaves turn dark purple.
Production: open field.
Culinary use: cook and use the leaves as a natural food colouring and flavouring, umeboshi (traditional Japanese pickled plums) is one example of where the food colouring is used.
