Tarragon (Estragon)

Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus L., has grown in popularity in recent years. It is a small perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. It has an erect stem up to 1.2 m tall and leaves are large (about 5 cm long), narrow and dark green. It is grown in France, Holland, Hungary and California.

Tarragon oil is produced by steam distillation of leaves, stems, and flowers. It is a pale yellow to amber liquid with a characteristic, spicy, delicate stragon odour reminiscent of liquorice and sweet basil.

The main components of tarragon oil are estragole (methylchavicol, up to 70%), ocimene, phellandrene, camphene and pinenes, among others.

Worldwide production of tarragon oil only amounts a few tons per year. It is used mainly in aroma compositions; smaller quantities are employed in perfumery.

It has a dark green viscous oleoresin.