Shiso leaves (aka perilla, Japanese basil, beefsteak plant, ooba, ohba, rattlesnake weed) play an essential role in Japanese cuisine, but are also consumed elsewhere in Asia. Green shiso evokes basil, fennel & mint while purple shiso tastes like a mix of cumin, ginger, and cinnamon. They are prized not only for their flavor but for their beautiful shine & complex shape.
Purple shiso leaves (aka purple mint) are commonly grown with heavy use of pesticides elsewhere in the world, but this purple shiso has instead been grown in greenhouses using complimentary insects to consume & drive away any pests that might threaten them.