Tarragon

Estragon

What it is

Its name means “little dragon” — medieval healers claimed it cured serpent bites, and its roots do coil like one. France adopted the orphan of the steppes and built béarnaise sauce around its quiet anise breath.

In the kitchen

It overwhelms fast: a few leaves perfume a whole chicken. With eggs and mustard, it is the most French of accents.

Goes with

Chicken Egg Mustard Button mushroom Cream Lemon

Same species

Absinthe Dry vermouth Génépi Mugwort Sweet red vermouth Wormwood

Also used with

Aiguillette baronne American lobster Nantucket bay scallop Lobster coral Dungeness crab Fairy ring mushroom

In season alongside

Angelica Basil Chervil Grayling Hoja santa Kkaennip (Korean perilla leaf)

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