Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
Ooba leaves are available year round with peak season in spring and summer.
Current Facts
Ooba carries many names as its been naturalized throughout many different regions. Its scientific name is perilla. It is also widely known by the vernacular, shiso. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, which contains many other aromatic and herbaceous plants including basil, mint, sage and lavender.
Description/Taste
Ooba leaves are oval with serrated edges that point toward their tip. The leaves can grow up to five to seven inches wide, though they are most often harvested at a younger, more delicate age, to prevent the plant from flowering. When the ooba plant flowers, it produces erect flowering stems that have a similar appearance to flowering purple (Thai) basil. The leaves have a mint-anise and citrus flavor and aroma that is best revealed when they are torn or crushed.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Ooba is most commonly associated with Japanese cuisine where it is a common garnish and accoutrement to sushi, sashimi and noodle dishes. The seeds of the ooba plant are used to create cooking oil and the foliage is used to create an essential oil for flavoring. It has also been used to enhance the flavor of beverages: in 2009, Pepsi Japan introduced Pepsi Shiso to mixed reviews.
Geography/History
Ooba is native to East China where it is both cultivated and grows wild. It is also a traditional crop of India, Japan, Korea and Thailand. As ooba is self-pollinating, it can escape cultivation and grow wild in a wide variety of warm habitats and spreads at an invasive pace. In American agriculture it is considered a poisonous weed as the plant has toxins that can be lethal to cattle and horses.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Gang Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-550-1600 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Crab Catcher La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9587 |
| Lei Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-813-2272 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | Carlsbad CA | 760-438-8606 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Burlap | San Diego CA | 858 369 5700 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Ooba Green. One
is easiest, three is harder.| I Nom Things |
|
Beef Shiso Wraps |
