All About Tarragon

Natural History and Cultivation

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb, closely related to wormwood, which can be grown by division of plants or cuttings in March or April. When fully grown it reaches a height of 2-3 ft. It requires a dry, warm, and sunny position and is best divided and replanted each year if it is on damp or heavy soil. The leaves are the part most used. French tarragon is spicier and more favored than the Russian variety.

Character

John Evelyn, the seventeenth century diarist, describes tarragon as "highly cordial and friend to the head, heart and liver." Its flavor is distinctive with hints of licorice and anise. Its scent is sweet and aromatic at first, but carries bitter under­tones. Although it has uses in herbal medicine, it is mainly known as a potherb, and one of character.

How to Use It

Tarragon has a hidden strength which necessitates cautious use but it also has rewards. It tends to be associated with French cooking and is therefore regarded as rather a gourmet's herb, but in fact it has always been known and used in England. It is particularly valuable in sauces-Bearnaise, Hollandaise, Mousseline and others.

Plain tarragon sauce goes well with vegetables like artichokes, mushrooms, asparagus and other vegetables. It should be added to marinades for meat or fish, to boiled chicken and egg dishes and makes a good background for stews and meat soups.

Tarragon vinegar, which is tarragon leaves saturated in wine vinegar, makes an aromatic dressing for salads and its special piquancy goes well with fish. It can also be used to make mayonnaise, French Mustard or Sauce Tartare. A few tarragon leaves can be mixed with herb butter for steaks, fish or for biscuits as an appetizer with drinks.

Try a little tarragon in omelettes or scrambled eggs and experiment with it in stuffing for chicken or duck. It is excellent with game and should be included in any recipe requiring fines herbes and to make up any bouquet garni. It also gives warmth to the other ingredients if used in salads.

How to Buy It

Fresh tarragon can sometimes be bought at large supermarkets. It is included in nearly all ranges of dried herbs and can be bought at supermarkets and health stores. Tarragon vinegar is usually available at the same places.