How to preserve excess fresh tarragon?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When harvested fresh, tarragon exceeds the needs for immediate culinary use; preserving it by proper means will help you maximize your herb garden investment. Various methods can cater to the different culinary usages, yet preserve unique flavor profiles. My kitchen tests show that proper methods of refrigeration (conditioning) can stretch shelf life by 8-12 months. To avoid waste, the preservation method should be followed within hours of picking.
Air-Drying
- Process: Bundle stems, hang upside down in dark location
- Duration: 7-14 days until crumbly
- Storage: Whole leaves in airtight jars for 1 year
Freezing Techniques
- Cube Method: Chop leaves in oil/water ice trays
- Flash Freeze: Spread leaves on tray before bagging
- Shelf Life: 6 months with flavor retention
Infusing Options
- Vinegar: Steep sprigs in white wine vinegar 3 weeks
- Oil: Combine with olive oil, refrigerate immediately
- Usage: Dressings, marinades, and sauces
Prepare herbs properly for preservation. Take care to wash the leaves gently, then thoroughly pat them dry. Discard anything that's discolored or damaged. To freeze the leaves, blanch them quickly to retain vivid color. I achieve the best results by processing herbs right after a morning harvest when the oils are most concentrated.
Preserve tarragon in best environment. Dried leaves go into dark glass bottles. Frozen cubes should be in vacuum-sealed bags. Infused oils must be refrigerated to prevent the growth of botulism. Label all with dates. My system features color-coded labels to easily identify each item.
Reinvigorating preserved tarragon is easy. Crush the dried leaves just before use to release the oils. On frozen cubes, thaw them right in the sauce. For infused vinegars, add as the final step to a dish. Properly preserved herbs add a layer to chicken dishes.
Play around with flavor pairings. Dried tarragon is wonderful mixed with lemon zest to create fish rubs. Frozen cubes blended with garlic make for easy marinades. Signature vinegar blends with peppercorns are also great. These can add flavor to your culinary work year-round!
Read the full article: How to Grow Tarragon: A Complete Guide
