Tarragon: What is it & How to use it

If you know me, you know that I love spices and herbs since they are such a multi facet product you can use in your home. I especially love using tarragon as a flavoring in my food products while also using it as herbal medicine.

WhaT IS tARRAGON?

Tarragon is a perennial herb that is prominent in Europe, Asia and North America. There are prominently three varieties of Tarragon, which are the: French, Russian and Mexican variety. All three have distinct flavors and can be used in a variety of dishes. 

The flavor profile for all three are as followed. For the French variety, it has a bittersweet and slightly sweet taste with an overall strong flavor. The Russian variety is very bitter but has a lighter flavor taste than the French variety. The Mexican tarragon, or more prominently known as Mexican Marigold,  has a similar taste profile than the French variety, but its overall taste is lighter. So if you want a mild tarragon, the best recommendation would be the Mexican variety. ​

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Cooking with Tarragon

​Tarragon adds a complex flavor to any meats, fish, salad dressings and breads. I recommend using tarragon in Chicken dishes, since it pairs well with wine-based sauces. For salads and veggies, tarragon pairs beautifully with vinegar-based dressings, since it gives a sweet balance to vinegar's acidity. It also works great with lemon or limes as well for butters, fish dishes and bakes. For breads, you can add it to any Focaccia, homemade crackers or Lemon-Carrot Breads.

We also recommend adding tarragon to soaps and potpourri since it has an aromatic fragrance 

Medicinal Benefits of Tarragon

Please note: I am not a doctor and these suggestions are not scientifically proven. These are recommendations to try and see if they can assist you with your ailments. Talk with your doctor if anything is serious and needs attention with proper medication.

Tarragon has been used for its medicinal properties throughout the centuries. A primary example is during the Roman Empire and the use of tarragon to assist with nerves of battle. Since we do not live in such a chaotic world as the Romans, we use tarragon for a plethora of other medicinal benefits. You can consume tarragon either through brewing as tea, by itself or as a supplement. 

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Tarragon can assist with:

Insomnia
Anxiety
Increases Hunger
Relieves Osteoarthritis
Manage Inflammation
Relieves Toothache
Prevent Food-borne Illnesses such as E. Coli

​Tarragon Tea

If you prefer drinking Tarragon tea to assist with the symptoms above, here is how you can make a perfect cup:

Add 1 Teaspoon Dry Tarragon or 1 Tbsp fresh Tarragon in a tea sachet
Boil water and pour water over the tea sachet.
Brew for 3 to 5 minutes. 
Enjoy!

Optional: To assist with Insomnia, you can add 1/2 tsp of chamomile. To assist with nausea or hunger, you can add a few slices of ginger. For flavor, you can add lemon slices. 

​Thank you for reading!