The English word tarragon is a corruption of the French word estragon, or little dragon , derived from the Arabic tarkhun. Various folklore beliefs were that tarragon was good for treating the bites of venomous snakes, while others thought the name was due to the coiled serpent like roots of the plant.
Does tarragon mean dragon?
Name. In Swedish and Dutch the plant is commonly known as dragon. The use of Dragon for the herb or plant in German is outdated. The species name, dracunculus, means “little dragon”, and the plant seems to be so named due to its coiled roots.
What nationality is tarragon?
Tarragon is native to southern Russia and western Asia. Today, its primary producer is France. Tarragon is commonly known as a flavoring for vinegar and is used in pickles, relishes, prepared mustards, and sauces.
Is tarragon and French tarragon the same?
There are two types of tarragon — Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides) and French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa), both in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.
How was tarragon discovered?
Tarragon has only been cultivated for around 600 years. It is thought to have been brought to Italy around the tenth Century by invading Mongols who used it as a sleep aid, breath freshener and seasoning. It is believed St. Catherine, on a visit to Pope Clement VI, brought tarragon to France in the 14th century.
Do Italians use tarragon?
Dragoncello, or as we know it, tarragon, is a herb more often associated with French cooking than Italian, but pops up in many recipes from Siena in Tuscany.
Is tarragon good for your health?
Tarragon has many impressive health benefits, including the potential to reduce blood sugar, inflammation and pain, while improving sleep, appetite and heart health. Not to mention, it’s versatile and can be added to a variety of foods — whether you use fresh or dried varieties.
What is tarragon used for in medicine?
Tarragon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, tarragon is used as a culinary herb.
Why does tarragon smell like licorice?
The pungent, bittersweet flavor of tarragon is often compared to licorice, anise, and fennel, thanks to the presence of methyl chavicol, a naturally occurring compound found in many plants and trees with a distinct licorice-like taste and fragrance.
What tarragon means?
ˈta-rə-, also -gən. : a small widely cultivated perennial artemisia (Artemisia dracunculus) having aromatic narrow usually entire leaves. also : its leaves used as a seasoning.
Why is tarragon not available?
“It’s all to do with our light levels,” McVicar explained. “It’s a plant which grows beautifully outside. “It needs the sun, because the sun brings its oils to the surface of the leaf, which accentuates that anise taste.”
What are the 3 varieties of tarragon?
The herb is characterized by its bright green, thin, glossy leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. There are three varieties of Tarragon: Siberian or Russian Tarragon, Mexican Tarragon and French Tarragon.
Is tarragon safe for dogs?
As mentioned, tarragon is listed by the ASPCA as being poisonous for dogs, and that includes both fresh tarragon and dried tarragon. This is due to the presence of certain essential oils in tarragon. Ingesting these oils could lead to common symptoms such as vomiting, salivating a lot and diarrhea.
Is tarragon a insect repellent?
Tarragon Repels Insects
This tall growing herb that’s very useful in the kitchen, is also very useful in the garden, and in the war against pests. Tarragon repels almost all insects, so it’s a good plant to spread around the garden to keep pests away.
Does tarragon smell like rosemary?
Tarragon has a more subtle flavor than many other herbs, including rosemary. Still, it has a lot in common with rosemary, with a similar level of earthiness. Tarragon has a subtle aniseed flavor and smell.
What part of tarragon is edible?
The flowers are edible and can be taken apart and petals sprinkled on salads or soups. Add the leaves at the end of the cooking time for best flavor.
Does tarragon smell like licorice?
At the first smell, tarragon has a pleasant fragrance of mint and vanilla. However, one bite will reveal its sweet but peppery qualities. Tarragon tastes like licorice with a faint resemblance to fennel and anise though it is much more intense.
What herb goes on top of spaghetti?
What herbs are good for spaghetti? Basil, Cilantro, and Parsley would work very well for a brighter tasting tomato sauce. For a deeper, more woodsy tasting tomato sauce, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, and Sage would work well. Try experimenting with use of multiple herbs as well as salt and pepper to build flavor.
What’s tarragon taste like?
Tarragon is a leafy green herb that is highly aromatic with a subtle licorice flavor. It adds a fresh, spring taste and a bit of elegance to a variety of recipes, including salad dressings, sauces, and fish and chicken dishes, and is commonly used in French cooking.
Can I drink tarragon as a tea?
How can you make tarragon tea? Just boil a tablespoon of fresh tarragon in eight to 10 ounces of water. Steep for five minutes and enjoy!
What are the side effects of tarragon?
Possible Side Effects of Tarragon
Tarragon can cause rashes, coughs, and irritation in the mouth in rare cases. In addition, there is some evidence that tarragon may even be toxic in the long term due to compounds like estragole and methyl eugenol.