シソ

Also written as 紫蘇(しそ) in kanji, but the katakana シソ is common.

Types

• 青(あお)じそ (大葉(おおば)): green shiso, the most common variety used as a garnish and in cooking
• 赤(あか)じそ: red shiso, used for making 梅干(うめぼ)し and shiso juice

Common collocations

• シソの葉(は): shiso leaves
• 大葉(おおば): green shiso leaf (common name in supermarkets)
• シソジュース: shiso juice (made from red shiso)
• シソの天(てん)ぷら: shiso tempura

Usage

In supermarkets and recipes, green shiso is often sold under the name 大葉(おおば) rather than シソ. The two terms refer to the same thing, but 大葉(おおば) specifically means the leaf when used as food.