Green Tea and Shiso Granita with Fresh Cherries

Place the tea, shiso leaves, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the water, stir to dissolve the sugar, and set aside to steep for 5 minutes. Strain into a clean bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature.

Stir again and place the bowl in the freezer until the mixture begins to chill around the edges and across the top, about 1 hour. Whisk to break up and mix in the ice crystals. Return the bowl to the freezer and chill for 2 hours more.

Whisk again, breaking up the crystals and stirring to make an evenly granulated mixture. Return to the freezer until frozen again, but not hard as a rock. Use right away or cover and keep in the freezer (The granita may be frozen for up to several days).

When ready to serve, remove the bowl from the freezer and set aside at room temperature until the granita softens enough to spoon out, about 45 minutes.

Place 3 scoops of the granita in individual serving bowls. Divide the cherries among the bowls.

NOTE: To maintain the fresh herb flavor and aroma of the granita if you don't have shiso, you can substitute 6 large mint leaves.