Specialty Produce's app

... and in iTunes

Produce Briefs...

Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.

Tarragon

Inventory, lb : 14.31
This item was last sold on : 09/17/21

• 155 Featured Restaurants

• 28 Recipe Ideas

• 1 Shares

Description/Taste

Tarragon is a multi-branched shrub with a central root system that extends horizontally through the soil to develop a shrub-like plant. Each slender stem contains many pairs of elongated, lanceolate-shaped leaves. The green leaves are thin, semi-glossy, and pliable, averaging 2 to 8 centimeters in diameter, and taper to a point on the non-stem end. The stems are also narrow, pale green, and have a crisp, fibrous consistency when young. Fresh Tarragon emits an anise-like aroma and contains a bittersweet, acidic taste with licorice, mint, fennel, and sweet vanilla nuances. In addition to the leaves, Tarragon produces edible small white, yellow, or green flowers.

Seasons/Availability

Tarragon is available year-round.

Current Facts

Tarragon, botanically classified as Artemisia dracunculus, is a leafy, aromatic herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. The shrub-like perennial can grow up to one meter in height and has been naturalized throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Tarragon is also known as the Dragon Herb, Estragon, and Herbe au Dragon, and the leafy herb earned its dragon descriptor from its Latin name. Dracunculus roughly translates to mean “little dragon” and was given to the herb for the twisting and winding growth pattern of the plant’s roots. There are three main types of Tarragon, including French Tarragon, Russian Tarragon, and Mexican Tarragon. French Tarragon is the primary type utilized for culinary applications. The leaves have the most complex flavoring and can be incorporated into dishes, either fresh or dried. Despite its popularity, French Tarragon is not commonly grown from seed and must be propagated by dividing roots of existing plants. Russian Tarragon is a hardy garden plant but is rarely used for culinary preparations. Young leaves are sometimes used in salads, but the flavor is significantly different from French Tarragon. Mexican Tarragon belongs to a distinct genus from French Tarragon and is sometimes labeled as “False Tarragon,” but it has a similar flavor profile with a slightly sweeter taste. In the modern-day, Tarragon is sold both fresh and dried and is highly favored for its unique flavoring, incorporated into a wide variety of savory and sweet preparations.

Nutritional Value

Tarragon is generally used in small amounts and is not a significant source of nutrients. The leaves contain vitamins A and C to strengthen the immune system, potassium to balance fluid levels, and other amounts of iron, manganese, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, calcium, and copper. Historically, Ancient Greeks chewed Tarragon to numb the mouth to relieve toothaches. The leaves contain a compound known as eugenol, a natural anesthetic with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. The French also steep the leaves into a tea to induce sleep and to treat insomnia.

Applications

Tarragon is utilized worldwide in both fresh and dried forms. The herb is most flavorful when used fresh and is typically added at the end of the cooking process. If the leaves are cooked too long, their subtle anise-like flavoring will turn bitter. Fresh Tarragon can be mixed into potato salads, green salads, layered into sandwiches, or combined into casseroles, soups, and stews. The leaves can also be cooked into egg dishes such as omelets, frittatas, quiche, and deviled eggs, stirred into pasta, or added to marinades, sauces, and dips. Spreads and sauces with egg, tomato, mayonnaise, or sour cream bases complement the herb’s subtle flavoring, and the leaves can be infused into vinegar for salad dressings. In addition to savory dishes, Tarragon can flavor fruit-filled sorbet, tarts, pies, and popsicles. Dried Tarragon has a more concentrated flavor and can be utilized in any of the above preparations. Tarragon pairs well with meats including pork, beef, veal, and poultry, seafood such as clams, fish, crab, scallops, and shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus, peas, cauliflower, turnips, artichokes, beets, tomatoes, lemon, pistachios, and walnuts. Whole, unwashed Tarragon sprigs can be stored upright in a glass of water and covered with a plastic bag. The leaves can also be wrapped in a damp paper towel, stored in a sealed container, and kept in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. Dried Tarragon will keep up to one year, and frozen Tarragon will last for five months.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Tarragon is known as Estragon in French and is affectionately labeled as the “King of Herbs.” Fresh Tarragon is one of the most utilized herbs in French cuisine and is highly favored for its mild licorice-like flavor. It is also widely cultivated throughout the country, sold in tied, fresh bunches at local markets for soups, sauces, roasted meat dishes, and vegetables. Tarragon is one of the signature ingredients in poulet a l’estragon, a decadent one-pan dish composed of chicken thighs braised in white wine and mixed into a cream and Tarragon sauce. The fragrant herb is also a primary ingredient in Béarnaise sauce, a combination of butter, egg yolks, vinegar, shallots, and Tarragon. Béarnaise sauce was created in 1836 by Chef Jules Collinet and was named in honor of Béarn, the region in France where the famous monarch Henri IV was born. Béarnaise sauce was showcased at the grand opening of the Le Pavillion Henri IV restaurant and quickly became a staple sauce for grilled or broiled meats. In addition to using the herb as a stand-alone flavoring, Tarragon is frequently combined with chervil, parsley, and chives in fines herbes. The herb mix was developed in French markets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was officially recorded in recipes in 1903 by Chef Auguste Escoffier.

Geography/History

Tarragon is believed by experts to be native to regions of Mongolia and Siberia and was spread in the Early Ages throughout Asia and Europe. The leafy herb easily naturalizes in sunny, dry regions worldwide and has been found across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, to Asia. Tarragon was mentioned in the 13th century by Arabic Botanist Ibn al-Baytar, who studied in Spain and traveled to North Africa and Syria collecting and writing about plants. He wrote about Tarragon as a seasoning for vegetables and as a sleep-aid. The herb was also introduced to Italy sometime around the 10th century and was brought by invading Mongols. It wasn’t until the 16th century that Tarragon became a staple in European kitchens, and the herb was planted in the United States in the early 19th century. Today Tarragon is widely cultivated worldwide and can be found fresh through local markets, specialty distributors, and select grocers. The herb can also be found in dried form through online retailers and grocery stores.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Parq Restaurant and Nightclub	San Diego CA	619-727-6789
Fishery	San Diego CA	858-272-9985
Campfire	Carlsbad CA	760-637-5121
Cucina Sorella	San Diego CA	858-232-7808
Swagyu Chop Shop	Imperial Beach CA	858-822-8377
Pour House	Oceanside CA	760-730-5944
Little Frenchie	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Toast Cafe	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
International Smoke Del Mar	San Diego CA	619-331-4528
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Great Maple La Jolla UTC	San Diego CA	858-886-7403
Wayfarer Bread	La Jolla CA	805-709-0964
Food Made Fresh	Carlsbad CA	805-341-0149
Mr A's	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
Semola	La Jolla CA	858-247-9670
Cardellino	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
Swagyu Chop Shop-PB	San Diego CA	858-758-0357
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Miho (Production)	San Diego CA	619-867-4295

the other 135...

Sugar and Scribe	La Jolla CA	858-274-1733
La Costa Glen South	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
Jeune Et Jolie Bar	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Vagabond Sportfishing Inc.	San Diego CA	619-993-9575
Farm Fresh Meals	San Diego CA	760-707-2383
Eddie V's Prime Seafood	San Diego CA	619-615-0281
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Urban Kitchen at The Shell	San Diego CA	619-980-4807
AToN Center Inc.	Encinitas CA	858-759-5017
Extraordinary Desserts	San Diego CA	619-294-2132
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Shorehouse Kitchen	La Jolla CA	858-459-3300
JRDN Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-270-5736
The Rose	San Diego CA	619-572-7671
Morning Glory	San Diego CA	619-629-0302
Et Voilà! French Bistro	San Diego CA	858-610-8784
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	858-373-3184
The Wild Thyme Company	San Diego CA	858-527-0226
La Costa Glen North	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1436
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Azucar	San Diego CA	619-523-2020
Brigantine Imperial Beach	Imperial Beach CA	619-591-1350
Rare Society	San Diego CA	619-501-6404
Cucina Enoteca	Del Mar CA	619-239-2222
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
Coronado Yacht Club	Coronado CA	619-435-1848
Hotel Del Coronado Sheerwater	Coronado CA	619-435-6611
The Pearl Hotel	San Diego CA	877-732-7573
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
University Club	San Diego CA	619-234-5200
Nolita Hall - Bar	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Green Acres Campus 2020	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Sbicca	Del Mar CA	858-481-1001
Le Papagayo (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	949-235-5862
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	619-295-3173
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	808-868-8639
Oscars Brewing Company	Temecula CA	619-695-2422
Enclave	Miramar CA	808-554-4219
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Portside Pier (Brigantine)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crab House	San Diego CA	858-453-2583
Jake's Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-755-2002
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Wrench and Rodent	Oceanside CA	760-840-1976
The Corner Drafthouse	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Huntress	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy	San Diego CA	619-298-2337
InterContinental Banquet Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Golden Door	San Marcos CA	760-761-4142
SIE Culinary Management	San Diego CA	858-964-8677
Food of Joy	San Diego CA	858-531-6616
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens	Escondido CA	760-294-7866
Convention Center Shell	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Bleu Boheme	San Diego CA	619-255-4167
Andrew Spurgin	San Diego CA	619-277-6020
Hyatt Islandia	San Diego CA	619-224-1234
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Waters Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803 x4
InterContinental San Diego	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef	San Diego CA	347-277-1958
Chateau Lake San Marcos	San Marcos CA	760-670-5807
Copper Kings	Oceanside CA	323-810-1662
Hotel Del ENO Produce	Coronado CA	619-435-6611
Red Tail Catering	San Marcos CA	858-605-8219
Barbarella La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-7373
Drew Lopez	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Urban Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-239-2222
Red Bird Pantry	San Diego CA	619-253-5782
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	619-944-1631
Monarch	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District	El Cajon CA	619-644-7585
Farmer and The Seahorse 2020	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Shoreside Support Boat	San Diego CA	704-277-7929
Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Pete's Premade Paleo	San Diego CA	770-359-8274
Le Papagayo (Encinitas)	Encinitas CA	760-944-8252
Park Commons Sorrento Valley	San Diego CA	858-551-5105
Addison Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-350-7600
Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228
Cow by Bear	San Diego CA	415-565-9989
Craft House Sky Deck	San Diego CA	619-948-4458
Third Corner Ocean Beach	San Diego CA	619-223-2700
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Smoking Gun	San Diego CA	619-276-6700
Home Kitchen Culture	San Diego CA	619-302-7655
Bishop School	San Diego CA	858-459-4021 x212
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade	La Jolla CA	858-551-7500
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse	Alpine CA	800-295-3172
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
The Smoking Goat	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
San Diego Freedom Ranch	Campo CA	619-478-5696
Claytons Bakery & Bistro	Coronado CA	619-435-5425
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery	San Diego CA	858-551-5105
Paradise Point Resort Tidal	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
Searcher	San Diego CA	619-226-2403
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Oliver & Rose	San Diego CA	619-300-3395
Panama 66	San Diego CA	619-206-6352
Tartine	Coronado CA	619-435-4323
Catamaran	San Diego CA	858-488-1081
Blind Lady	San Diego CA	619-381-4475
Wolfies Carousel	San Diego CA	909-477-1291
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Fort Oak	San Diego CA	619-795-6901
Herb & Wood	San Diego CA	520-205-1288
My Yard Live	San Marcos CA	619-339-1686
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
insideOUT	San Diego CA	619-888-8623
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
The Clean & Colorful Kitchen	San Diego CA	858-775-9005
Pacific Coast Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-794-4632
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Pacifica Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-0505
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant	Coronado CA	619-435-6611

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Tarragon. One

is easiest, three is harder.

One Tomato, Two Tomato		Tarragon Pickled Eggs
Craving Something Healthy		Green Goddess Fresh Vegetable Dip
A Beautiful Plate		Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Tarragon-Shallot Butter
Feasting at Home		Spring Vegetable Pot Pie
Plain Chicken		The Ritz Carlton Potato Salad
Foodness Gracious		Baked Risotto with Sausage and Tarragon
Veganosity		Vegan Lemon and Asparagus Risotto
MM Good		Homemade Creamy Tarragon Dressing
I Breathe I'm Hungry		Roasted Artichokes with Lemon Tarragon Butter
The View from Great Island		Roasted Chicken Breasts with Tarragon and Mustard Sauce

the other 18...

Our Salty Kitchen		Kale Mushroom Pasta with Toasted Pine Nuts
A Family Feast		Green Beans with Tarragon
Sprinkles and Sprouts		Tarragon and Lemon Butter
Kevin is Cooking		Blackberry Tarragon Salad Dressing
Bake at Midnight		Tarragon Chicken with Chardonnay Cream Sauce
So, How's it Taste?		Shrimp Salad Rolls
Straight Up Food		Mushroom Risotto
Oh, Sweet Basil		Grilled Orange Tarragon Chicken
Primavera Kitchen		Mediterranean Mashed Potatotes
Baker by Nature		Creamy Tomato and Tarragon Soup with Black Pepper Parmesan Biscotti
Alexandra's Kitchen		Lobster Rolls with Tarragon Mayo
Scaling Back		Pomegranate Tarragon Detox Water
Feasting at Home		Asparagus Fennel Soup
Feasting at Home		Split Pea Soup with Tarragon
Flavor the Moments		Lemon Tarragon Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
White on Rice Couple		Grilled Artichoke Stems with Tarragon Garlic Butter
Cooking For Keeps		Tarragon and Lemon Lobster Rolls with Garlic Bread Hoagies
Happy Yolks		Spicy Potato Tarragon Soup

Recently Shared

Someone shared Tarragon using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

San Marcos Farmers Market

Carmi Vista Family Farm
Vista, CA

Near San Marcos, California, United States
About 4 days ago, 9/14/21