Red Perilla Shiso

Red Perilla Shiso (赤紫蘇, 赤じそ)

Red Perilla Shiso has an aromatic, herbaceous flavour with notes of mint, basil, and citrus, followed by a mildly astringent and earthy finish.
Use it when you want a distinctive herb that adds bold colour, fresh aroma, and complex flavour to Japanese-inspired dishes and pickled preparations.

Why you’ll love it

• Freshness: Harvested, cut and packed when you place an order
• Hyperlocal: Grown in Scarborough for pickup or local delivery
• Clean: Hydroponic, soil-free, and grown in a controlled indoor system
• Flavour: Aromatic, herbaceous flavour with mint, basil, citrus, and mildly astringent notes
• Colour: Deep red to purple, serrated leaves with a vibrant colour
• Best for: Umeboshi, pickling, shiso juice, rice dishes, salads, garnishes, and Japanese-inspired dishes

Best ways to use Red Perilla Shiso

Use Red Perilla Shiso in pickling preparations such as umeboshi, where its natural colour and distinctive flavour are traditionally valued.
Steep the leaves to make a refreshing red shiso drink, or use them to add colour and aroma to syrups and other beverages.
Finely slice or tear the leaves and add them to rice dishes, salads, pickled vegetables, or other dishes where their bold colour and herbal flavour can complement the other ingredients.
Add it near the end of preparation when using it as a fresh herb to help preserve its aroma.

Red Perilla Shiso pairs well with ume plums, cucumber, ginger, rice vinegar, rice, soy sauce, sesame, tofu, pickled vegetables, citrus, and other Japanese seasonings.
Red Perilla Shiso is traditionally used in umeboshi and other pickled preparations, as well as in shiso-based drinks and Japanese dishes where its distinctive colour and flavour are desired.

Why hydroponic Red Perilla Shiso?

Hydroponic growing uses a water-based nutrient system instead of soil. This helps keep the crop clean, controlled, and close to the community.
Since we grow locally in Scarborough, travel time from harvest to pickup or delivery is reduced.

Indoor hydroponic growing can also support careful water use because water and nutrients are managed in a controlled system.
For customers, that means fresh local herbs grown with care, consistency, and less dependence on long-distance supply chains.

Freshness Tips

• Rinse before use
• Snip only what you need to maintain freshness
• Keep refrigerated in a loosely covered container or bag to help reduce moisture loss
• Avoid storing near the back of the refrigerator where the leaves may freeze
• Keep the leaves dry during storage
• Use within 5 to 7 days for the best flavour and aroma

Browse all hydroponic herbs from 5N2
Learn more about hydroponic vertical farming from Farm Credit Canada (FCC).