Herb. No. 105 · Asteraceae
Eurasian wormwood cousin. True French tarragon is a sterile clone; Russian types seed and taste harsher.
Native · Central Asia · West Asia · Europe
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
French tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Anise-leaf of French kitchens — a sterile clone you buy as a plant, then tarragon-vinegar the rest of your life.
True French tarragon almost never flowers usefully and must be divided. Russian tarragon from seed is a different, grassier, less anise plant. Traditional use of the leaf is as a digestive aromatic after rich, fatty food. Culinary amounts are the path. Essential oil is another, stronger drug. Asteraceae allergy is the usual caution.
Flavor
Sweet anise, faint vanilla, green bite. Dried is a pale shadow of fresh.
Parts used
Leaf
Helpful
- One plant lasts years
- Vinegar keeps the flavor
Cautions
- Seed is the wrong plant
- Hates wet winter feet