tarragon

tarragon
/tar"euh gon', -geuhn/, n.
1. an Old World plant, Artemisia dracunculus, having aromatic leaves used for seasoning.
2. the leaves themselves. Also called estragon.
[1530-40; earlier taragon < MF targon, var. of tarc(h)on < ML < MGk tarchón < Ar tarkhun < Gk drákon lit., dragon; cf. L dracunculus tarragon]

* * *

Bushy aromatic herb (Artemisia dracunculus) of the composite family, the dried leaves and flowering tops of which are used to add tang to many culinary dishes.

Tarragon is a common ingredient in seasoning blends, such as fines herbes. The fresh leaves are used in salads, and vinegar in which fresh tarragon has been steeped is a distinctive condiment. The plant is probably native to Siberia; a French variety is cultivated in Europe and North America.

* * *

▪ herb
also called  Estragon 

      (species Artemisia dracunculus), bushy aromatic herb of the family Asteraceae (Compositae), the dried leaves and flowering tops of which are used to add tang and piquancy to many culinary dishes, particularly fish, chicken, stews, sauces, omelets, cheeses, vegetables, tomatoes, and pickles. Tarragon is a common ingredient in seasoning blends, such as fines herbes. The fresh leaves are used in salads, and vinegar in which fresh tarragon has been steeped is a distinctive condiment.

      The plant is believed to be native to Siberia. The French variety is cultivated in Europe, particularly France and Spain, and in North America. Tarragon leaves are bright green in colour, have a warm odour, and taste reminiscent of anise. Tarragon contains 0.3 to 1.0 percent essential oil, the principal component of which is methyl chavicol.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tarragon — Tar ra*gon, n. [Sp. taragona, Ar. tarkh?n; perhaps fr. Gr. ? a dragon, or L. draco; cf. L. dracunculus tarragon. Cf. {Dragon}.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Artemisa} ({Artemisa dracunculus}), much used in France for flavoring vinegar. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tarragon — 1530s, from M.L. tragonia, from Byzantine Gk. tarchon, from Arabic tarkhon, from a non Arabic source, perhaps Gk. drakon (from drakontion dragonwort ). Eastern European plant of the wormwood genus (Artemisia Dracunculus), whose aromatic leaves… …   Etymology dictionary

  • tarragon — ► NOUN ▪ a plant with narrow aromatic leaves, used as a herb in cooking. ORIGIN from Latin tragonia and tarchon, perhaps ultimately from Greek drak n dragon …   English terms dictionary

  • tarragon — [tar′ə gän΄] n. [Sp taragona < Ar ṭarkhūn < ? Gr drakōn, DRAGON] 1. an Old World wormwood (Artemisia dracunculus) whose fragrant leaves are used for seasoning, esp. in vinegar 2. the leaves of this plant …   English World dictionary

  • Tarragon — Dragon s wort redirects here. For other uses, see Dragonwort (disambiguation). This article is about the perennial herb. For the 1999 power metal album, see Taragon. For the Canadian theatre company, see Tarragon Theatre. Tarragon Scientific… …   Wikipedia

  • tarragon — vaistinis kietis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Astrinių šeimos prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Artemisia dracunculus), paplitęs Europos rytuose, Azijoje, Šiaurės Amerikoje. Naudojamas maisto priedams (kvėpikliams) gaminti. atitikmenys:… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • tarragon — tar|ra|gon [ˈtærəgən] n [U] [Date: 1500 1600; : Old French; Origin: targon, from Arabic tarkhun] the leaves of a small European plant, used in cooking to give food a special taste ▪ chicken with tarragon …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tarragon — tar|ra|gon [ terəgən ] noun uncount the leaves of a small plant that are added to food to give it a special flavor. Tarragon is an herb …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tarragon — [[t]tæ̱rəgɒn[/t]] N UNCOUNT Tarragon is a small European herb with narrow leaves which are used to add flavour to food …   English dictionary

  • tarragon — noun (U) the leaves of a small European plant used as a herb: chicken with tarragon …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”