Selection and storage
French tarragon leaves can be available fresh during the late spring and summer season. Its terminal growing tips may be gathered for fresh use. Oftentimes, the herb is grown in the backyard so that its fresh leaves can easily be gathered for immediate use in cooking.
Tarragon leaves may be harvested at the flowering time for drying slowly, either under sunlight or gentle heat. Dried tarragon can be available in the herb stores year-round.
To choose, try to buy fresh leaves whenever possible for better flavor and nutritional benefits. Look for the herb that is rich in fragrance. Avoid those with shriveled, discolored old stocks.
Once at home, wash the leaves in clean running water, pat dry with absorbent paper, and store inside the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for immediate use. Dried tarragon, however, should be stored inside an airtight container and stored in a cool dark place where it will stay for up to six months.
Preparation and serving methods
Fresh tarragon herb should be washed before use in cooking. In general, the herb is added in small amounts to recipes at the last moment in order to retain flavor and taste.
Culinary uses
Generally, the herb is added at the final moment to the recipes in small amounts in order to retain flavor and taste.
Here are some serving tips:
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Fresh tarragon is used in green salads.
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Fresh as well as dry leaves may be used as flavoring base (in marinate) to fish, lamb and poultry.
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Tarragon herb is one of the main ingredients in French béarnaise sauce, a hot emulsified butter sauce made of clarified butter, egg yolks, shallot, chervil, peppercorn, and tarragon vinegar.
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Furthermore, it is used as flavoring base in traditional Christmas breads called, potica.
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Tarragon herb is also used to infuse vinegar and olive oil
Safety profile
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Tarragon essential oil, estragole, may cause skin irritation in some individuals.
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Furher, according to the “European commission scientific committee on food” estragole and its metabolite 1′-hydroxyestragole may induce hepatic tumor in laboratory animals. Therefore, it is recommended to use in to small quantities. (Medical disclaimer).
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