Tarragon
Tarragon suppliers and sourcing guide
Tarragon is the leaf and flowering top of Artemisia dracunculus, a perennial herb in the daisy family. French tarragon, which is propagated from cuttings because it rarely sets seed, has the stronger anise-like aroma; Russian tarragon grows from seed and is milder. The herb is harvested, dried and cut or rubbed for sale. Brands use it in sauces such as bearnaise, dressings, vinegars, mustards and seasoning blends, and tarragon oil is distilled from the herb.
- Also known as
- Artemisia dracunculus · French tarragon · Estragon · Russian tarragon
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of tarragon
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cut and sifted leaf
Dried leaf cut to a stated size, the standard form for seasoning blends and sauces.
Ground
Milled dried tarragon for dry mixes; it loses aroma faster than cut leaf.
Freeze-dried
Freeze-dried leaf that keeps more green color and fresh character than air-dried.
Organic
Certified organic tarragon from cultivated sources.
Tarragon oil or extract
Steam-distilled oil or extract (estragon oil) used in flavors at very low levels.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil content by distillation, the main measure of aroma strength.
- Moisture
- Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
- Total and acid-insoluble ash
- Ash and acid-insoluble ash, which flag soil and sand from harvest.
- Extraneous matter
- Stems, foreign seeds, insect fragments and other extraneous matter by visual and filth testing (for example AOAC or ASTA methods).
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella; many buyers require steam-treated or otherwise pathogen-reduced spice.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep dried tarragon in sealed, light-blocking packaging in a cool, dry place; its color and aroma fade quickly with light, heat and air. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and volatile oil, color and micro are the usual retests.
Lots and expiry dates
Record whether each lot is French or Russian type, origin and crop year, since aroma differs sharply between them. Check green color and aroma against a standard on arrival and rotate stock first in, first out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's spice definitions compliance policy guide defines tarragon as the dried leaves and flowering tops of Artemisia dracunculus.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists estragon (tarragon) among essential oils and natural extractives that are GRAS for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Tarragon suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking tarragon suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell tarragon? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of tarragon can brands buy?
Common forms include cut and sifted leaf, ground, freeze-dried, organic and tarragon oil or extract. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for tarragon include?
Expect volatile oil, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, extraneous matter, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should tarragon be stored?
Keep dried tarragon in sealed, light-blocking packaging in a cool, dry place; its color and aroma fade quickly with light, heat and air. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and volatile oil, color and micro are the usual retests.
What is the regulatory status of tarragon?
21 CFR 182.10 lists tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's spice definitions compliance policy guide defines tarragon as the dried leaves and flowering tops of Artemisia dracunculus. 21 CFR 182.20 lists estragon (tarragon) among essential oils and natural extractives that are GRAS for their intended use.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
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