Home/Varieties/Shiso
Herbs Microgreen

Shiso

Shiso microgreens (Perilla frutescens) are an herb microgreen with a minty, basil and citrus flavor, ready to harvest in 16-24 days. MicrogreenUSA grows them sushi-grade indoors for wholesale standing orders, and they are best for sushi and Japanese menus.

Profile

Shiso Microgreens

Shiso microgreens carry the complex minty-basil-citrus profile prized in Japanese cuisine, in a young leaf that is more tender and precise than mature shiso.

A signature accent for sushi, sashimi, tempura and Japanese tasting menus, and a favorite garnish for craft cocktails.

Order Shiso Wholesale →
Photo pending verification
Common nameShiso
Botanical namePerilla frutescens
CategoryHerbs
FlavorMinty, basil, citrus
Grow time16-24 days
Best forSushi, Japanese menus
AvailabilityYear-round wholesale
Minimum order5 lbs / week
Grow Data & Sources

What do seed suppliers publish for growing shiso microgreens?

These figures are True Leaf Market's published guide for Shiso Seeds - Red (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds (Perilla frutescens) plus Shiso, Britton (2943M) from Johnny's Selected Seeds' 2017 yield trial, not our farm schedule (that is on our process page).

Seeding rate (10x20 tray)15 grams per 10 x 20 inch tray
Pre-soakYes, 12-24hrs (cool, not hot water)
Germination3-5 days
Blackout8 days
Days to harvest11-21 days
Flavorherb flavor that can resemble a mixture of coriander, mint, basil, and/or cinnamon
Seed per 1020 tray (Johnny's trial)11.5 g
Yield per 1020 tray (Johnny's trial)6.5 oz
Days to first true leaf (Johnny's)16

Sources: True Leaf Market, Johnny's Selected Seeds.

How does shiso compare with the other microgreens we grow?

At 11-21 days, shiso is the 15th fastest of 18 varieties by supplier harvest window, tied with beet. Its 6.5 oz trial yield is 12th of 13, 0.57 oz of shiso per gram of seed. Shiso seed is soaked in the supplier guide, as are beet and cilantro.

Is there USDA nutrition data for shiso microgreens?

Not from a lab: FoodData Central has no entry for shiso microgreens, so we print no nutrient figures.

Are shiso microgreens a food-safety concern?

FDA classes shiso microgreens as covered produce, not sprouts (FDA guidance).

Common Questions

Shiso FAQ

What do shiso microgreens taste like?

Shiso microgreens have a minty, basil and citrus flavor. They carry the complex minty-basil-citrus profile prized in Japanese cuisine, in a young leaf that is more tender and precise than mature shiso. They are the young cotyledon-stage greens of Perilla frutescens, harvested before the first true leaves appear.

How long do shiso microgreens take to grow?

Shiso microgreens take 16-24 days from seed to harvest in our indoor farm. For comparison, seed suppliers publish 11-21 days in True Leaf Market's guide and about 16 days to first true leaf in Johnny's 2017 trial. By that supplier window it is the 15th fastest of the 18 varieties we grow. Our full growing process is on our process page.

How do chefs use shiso microgreens?

A signature accent for sushi, sashimi, tempura and Japanese tasting menus, and a favorite garnish for craft cocktails. In our wholesale program they are best for sushi and Japanese menus. They are available year-round on a standing weekly order, on their own or as part of a custom blend with other varieties from our catalog of 20.

How long do shiso microgreens last after delivery?

Shiso microgreens keep 7-10 days, like most of our varieties, when refrigerated at 34-38°F in sealed packaging and kept away from ethylene-producing produce. They are clean-cut with sanitized blades and in cold storage within 45 minutes of harvest, so orders typically arrive with 5-10 days of shelf life remaining.

How do I order shiso microgreens wholesale?

Order through a MicrogreenUSA wholesale account. The minimum is 5 lbs per week for a single restaurant, and shiso microgreens can be packed in 2, 4 or 8 oz anti-fog clamshells, 1-5 lb vacuum-sealed bulk pouches or uncut living trays. Southeast USA accounts get deliveries on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and we reply to applications within 24 business hours.

Do shiso microgreen seeds need soaking?

True Leaf Market's grow guide for Shiso Seeds - Red (Organic) - Microgreens Seeds (Perilla frutescens) calls for a pre-soak (Yes, 12-24hrs (cool, not hot water)), then lists 3-5 days germination, 8 days of blackout and 11-21 days to harvest. Our farm sets its own soak times by seed size; the schedule is on our process page.

How much does a tray of shiso microgreens yield?

Johnny's Selected Seeds measured 6.5 oz per 1020 tray for Shiso, Britton (2943M) in its 2017 microgreen yield trial, from 11.5 g of seed, cut at about 16 days at the first true leaf. Johnny's calls these rounded averages that vary with seed lot, density and timing. Among our varieties in that trial, shiso ranks 12th of 13 for yield.