Herb
Mexican Tarragon
A tier
Mexican tarragon is Tagetes lucida—a marigold relative with anise-like leaves that thrives in heat where French tarragon sulks. Not true Artemisia, but a legitimate warm-climate anise herb for teas, chicken, and vinegars. Flavour is bolder and slightly different; works in many recipes as a heat-tolerant understudy. Golden flowers are edible bonuses. Excellent for southern US and Mexican herb gardens.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
ChickenTeaVinegarWarm Climate Sub
Traits
AniseAnise-likeAromaticHardy HeatHeat TolerantMarigold RelativeTagetes SpeciesWarm Climate
History
MX
Mesoamerican use of Tagetes lucida as a culinary and ceremonial aromatic.
MX
Mexican cookery kept pericón/mexican tarragon in regional foods and drinks.
US
Southwestern gardeners adopted Mexican tarragon as French substitute.
Chefs used Mexican tarragon deliberately for its own character.