Home

Back

Arboretume Home Page

Genus:	Artemisia dracunculus
Common Name:	Tarragon 'French'
Description:	Tarragon is known for its slightly bittersweet flavor, with an aroma similar to anise. Tarragon is a leafy green herb widely used in French cuisine. Its distinctive yet subtle herbal flavor is particularly well suited to use with fish and chicken, and as part of vinaigrettes and sauces. The appeal of tarragon tends to come from its understated side, so a gentle hand yields more successful results and helps its unique flavor—which has hints of anise—from overwhelming all other flavors in a dish.
Bloom Time:
Size:
Growth Rate:
Exposure:
Hardiness:
Soil:
Uses:	There's no specific time to harvest tarragon. Once your plant reaches a height between 12 and 36 inches, it's ready for harvesting. Use kitchen shears when picking off the leaves because they are very delicate. If you use your hands, you risk releasing the aromatic oils inside the leaves. Once you have gathered enough, wash them with cool water and gently pat them dry. Storing tarragon is easy. Simply wrap a bunch of leaves in a damp paper towel and place it inside the refrigerator. You can also place the leaves inside a plastic bag or in a jar filled with water that's lightly covered with plastic. It's important that the leaves are not dried, because they will lose their flavor and nutrients.