If you’re looking for a delicious and aromatic way to flavor your foods, tarragon is a perfect choice. Tarragon (also spelled tarhana) is a member of the mint family. It’s a shrub found in Europe and Asia that grows in warm climates. Tarragon leaves are green and bitter, while the flowers are red and offer a sweet smell.
Tarragon is used to season food, drinks and is added to beauty products. In addition to its culinary applications, tarragon has been used as an aroma booster for centuries. In this article, we will learn what tarragon is, what it tastes like, and what tarragon tastes good with.
What Is Tarragon?
Tarragon is a shrub found in Europe and Asia that grows in warm climates. Tarragon is a perennial plant that grows up to 2.4 ft (75 cm). It has long, thin, light green leaves and tiny yellow flowers usually harvested from the beginning of June until August. The root is the part that is used for cooking, while the leaves are used for flavoring food and drinks.
Tarragon is used to flavor meat, fish, vegetables, soups, stews, or sauces. It can be used as an ingredient in stuffing or breading for chicken or fish. It can also be added to vinegar in salads or marinades for meat dishes. Tarragon is also used as an aroma booster for items like perfume and lotions because of its sweet smell. Tarragon’s uses extend beyond the kitchen and bathtub into herbal remedies. It has been used historically to treat stomach issues, colds, and infections.
What Does Tarragon Taste Like?
Tarragon has a slightly bitter taste and a sweet, pungent smell. Some say that tarragon has hints of licorice and vanilla. The spicy aroma and piquant, slightly tart taste of tarragon, somewhat similar to anise, makes dishes and drinks fresh, bright, and original.
What does dried tarragon taste like? Dried tarragon tastes a little like dill. Dried tarragon has a mild grassy flavor with notes of lemon and anise. It has a sharper flavor than fresh tarragon, but it’s still a milder flavor than most other mints. Sometimes dried tarragon can have subtle black pepper hints.
Dried tarragon is used in various dishes, such as chicken and fish. Dried tarragon is also used to flavor vinegar, tomato sauces, and egg dishes. When using dried tarragon, it should be added at the beginning of the recipe. If you’re using fresh tarragon, fresh herbs are best added at the end of the cooking process, so they don’t lose their flavor or texture. Tarragon is available year-round in dried form. It’s also available frozen in its fresh form, but it will only last a couple of months once defrosted.
Since tarragon is a sour, peppery herb, it is typically used in salads, pasta, and cocktails. It can also be used as a seasoning for meats and poultry. Some people believe that tarragon has a smoky flavor, which is true. Additionally, it can have a sweet and sour taste. Tarragon is also used to add flavor to wine, beer, and spirits.
Is tarragon a hot spice? Tarragon, with its complex sweet, bitter, and spicy flavor and aroma profile, can be used as hot spice. However, if you want to make the dish extra spicy, opt for better hot spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, curry, or ginger.
Tarragon Smell
What does tarragon smell like? Tarragon is one of the most used herbs in the world. It has a very sweet and sharp aroma, which makes it useful in cooking. Tarragon leaves contain a large amount of essential oil, making them so fragrant.
Does tarragon smell like licorice? Tarragon smells a bit like licorice – tarragon smells sweet and has lemon and vanilla notes, that is why tarragon is often used as an aroma booster not just in cooking but in beauty products and perfumes.
See also: What Does Sage Taste Like? A Beginner’s Guide!
Pairing Tarragon – What Does Tarragon Go Well With?
What does tarragon taste good with? Fresh and dried tarragon tastes good with vegetable salads, omelets with ham and tomatoes, beef steaks, veal, lamb, pork chops, grilled chicken, cauliflower, zucchini, artichokes, carrots. Tarragon also goes well with seafood (salmon, shrimps, crab) and is sometimes added to sauces (pesto, aioli).
Tarragon also goes well with seafood, chicken and pork, lamb, beef, and vegetables. You can also pair it with sour cream and cheese for a spread or dip. You can mix tarragon in your salad dressing for the best flavor. Tarragon is also great for making a simple vinaigrette or marinade.
Here is a list of foods that tarragon pairs best with:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Mayonnaise
- Mushrooms
- Mustard
- Pasta
- Potatoes
- Red wine vinegar
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Soy sauce
- Tomato sauce
- Veal
Most recipes will call for fresh tarragon. If you want to use dried tarragon, make sure it’s a high-quality product. Use dried tarragon that is minimally processed and free of additives and preservatives. Check the label to make sure there are no artificial ingredients or additives in your dried tarragon. Tarragon is a delicate herb, so it shouldn’t be overly treated with preservatives and additives.
Tarragon is great for various sauces and goes well with other spices: black and red pepper, ginger, mint, mustard, celery, parsley, dill, garlic, cumin, oregano, basil, cloves, coriander, sesame, bay leaf, marjoram, etc.
Tarragon Alternatives
What to do if you have forgotten to buy tarragon? Do not panic! You can still make dishes full of flavor using other herbs like basil or parsley as long as you have the fresh ingredients on hand. Use dried herbs as replacements if you don’t have fresh ones.
What is similar to tarragon spice? Even though tarragon’s flavor is unique, it is quite similar to basil, dill, and fennel. Some other tarragon substitutes include thyme, parsley, oregano, and rosemary.
Tarragon Taste FAQ
How do you describe the flavor of tarragon?
It is hard to describe the flavor of tarragon because it is unique. It has a sweet, spicy, licorice-like flavor and a fresh, almost minty aroma with lemon notes. It also has a hint of vanilla. Tarragon has a fresh, grassy taste and aroma that will add elegance to your dishes.
How do you use tarragon in cooking?
Tarragon is a versatile spice in cooking. It goes well with meat (beef, pork, lamb, veal, rabbit), poultry (chicken, duck, turkey), seafood (shrimp, crab, salmon), vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, asparagus), eggs, ham, rice, pasta, noodles. Tarragon can be added to soups and sauces (pesto, sauce gribiche).
What can I do with tarragon?
Tarragon is versatile and can be used with almost anything, from meat and seafood to fruits and berries like peach and cranberries. Here are some of the best dishes you can cook with tarragon:
- Pork chops with cranberry juice
- Carrot soup with orange
- Strawberry chicken salad
- Poached eggs with asparagus and tarragon
- Shrimp pasta
- Roasted cabbage and onions
- Tarragon tuna salad
