Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), also known as estragon, is a species of perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread in the wild across much of Eurasia and North America, and is cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes.
| Tarragon | |
|---|---|
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Artemisia |
What does the name tarragon mean?
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 have another name?
tarragon, (Artemisia dracunculus), also called estragon, bushy aromatic herb of the family Asteraceae, the dried leaves and flowering tops of which are used to add tang and piquancy to many culinary dishes, particularly fish, chicken, stews, sauces, omelets, cheeses, vegetables, tomatoes, and pickles.
What is the origin of tarragon?
Most commercial Tarragon comes from dried leaves of the French Tarragon plant. 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.
What is Russian tarragon?
Russian tarragon is a perennial herb of the daisy family native to parts of southern and eastern Russia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and western North America; it was introduced via cultivation in parts of Central Europe and North America.
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 The use of Dragon for the herb or plant in German is outdated.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 does tarragon look like?
Tarragon is used for its leaves, which are long and slender with pointed tips. Look for stems of tarragon with bright green, perky leaves. Wilted, yellowing or black leaves or stems are a no-go. It is very difficult to differentiate Russian and French tarragon by sight — they look exactly the same.
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.
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 does tarragon do for the body?
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 called in India?
Artemisia dracunculus or Tarragon is called ਤਾਰਾਗਾਣ in Punjabi and is one of the great culinary herbs. It is a kitchen staple in French cuisine and fondly called the “King of Herbs”.
Can you eat tarragon flowers?
TARRAGON TEXAS
Small yellow flowers with flat petals that have a licorice flavour. Unlike the French and Russian tarragon, the flowers of this variety are edible and add a great little surprise in a salad.
What spice is tarragon?
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.
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.”
Is tarragon a French herb?
Tarragon is known as “the King of Herbs” in France, and in this case it’s a well-earned title. Tarragon is a mainstay in French cooking and an essential ingredient in both Béarnaise sauce and the combination of herbs known as fines herbes. But its royal status hasn’t carried over stateside—not yet anyway.
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.
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.
What culture uses tarragon?
Tarragon became the famous and distinct flavor in French cuisine lending its aroma and taste to such sauces as bearnaise, poulet a l’estragon and chaufroid, it is also a special ingredient in French made dijon mustard.
Is tarragon a rosemary?
Tarragon
It has a strong flavor, which makes it the perfect substitute for rosemary. If you want your dish to have an instantly recognizable flavor of spice and you’ve run out of rosemary, feel free to add tarragon to the recipe. You can add it in the same amount that’s required for rosemary in the dish.
Is tarragon good for hair?
Enhances Hair Quality
Tarragon has been proven to boost the quality of one’s hair. Some styling product, natural shampoos, and conditioners contain the extracts of tarragon. It is mainly helpful for dry hair because it provides luster to the dry hair. Regular use of tarragon product makes the hair vibrant and healthy.
Is tarragon good for skin?
Ninth, Tarragon is also a source of antioxidants and other nutrients beneficial for healthy hair, skin, and nails.