シソ
しそ
noun
perilla, shiso
1.
perilla, shiso
An aromatic herb in the mint family, widely used in Japanese cuisine. The leaves have a distinctive flavor that is fresh, slightly minty, and herbaceous.
シソの葉を刻む。
To chop shiso leaves.
刺身にシソが添えてある。
Shiso is served alongside the sashimi.
庭でシソを育てて、料理に使っている。
I grow shiso in the garden and use it in cooking.
Also written as 紫蘇 in kanji, but the katakana シソ is common.
VARIETIES:
- 青じそ (大葉): green shiso, the most common variety used as a garnish and in cooking
- 赤じそ: red shiso, used for making 梅干し and shiso juice
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- シソの葉: shiso leaves
- 大葉: green shiso leaf (common name in supermarkets)
- シソジュース: shiso juice (made from red shiso)
- シソの天ぷら: shiso tempura
USAGE:
In supermarkets and recipes, green shiso is often sold under the name 大葉 rather than シソ. The two terms refer to the same thing, but 大葉 specifically means the leaf when used as food.