Tarragon

Tarragon is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, just like wormwood or mugwort. Its Latin name “artemisia dracunculus” explains why it is sometimes called pungent mugwort. The term “dracunculus”, which could be translated as “little dragon”, was given to it because for a long-time tarragon was used to treat snake bites. If tarragon has been used since Antiquity for its therapeutic virtues and for its taste in cooking, perfumers do not hesitate either to throw a nose at this plant with many powers. By distilling its leaves, its flowers and its stems, we obtain an herbaceous, aromatic and aniseed essence. The essential oil of tarragon also gives off peppery and bitter tones. It thus reminds us of fennel, aniseed or even licorice. Tarragon is generally found in aromatic olfactory facets in which it brings much freshness and body to the fragrance.