SHISO LEAVES

Shiso leaves have a fresh green character with a cooling, spicy edge. The impression is more layered than simple mint: some interpretations include a powdery floral softness, with a cinnamon-like warmth beneath the coolness. In perfume, shiso can give a crisp accent to citrus or create an interesting contrast with soft flowers and smooth woods.

Shiso is a Japanese name for perilla; the natural leaf oil is associated with Perilla frutescens. Japan Aroma documents steam distillation of the leaves and a green, subtly spicy, cooling profile. Pierre Guillaume’s account of the material also describes powdery and cinnamon-like facets, showing how its aromatic character can extend beyond a straightforward fresh herb. Shiso and shiso leaves are overlapping note names here. Neither label confirms a particular oil, leaf colour or recipe in a finished perfume.