Tarragon absolute (CAS 8016-88-4) — Green Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Tarragon absolute
CAS 8016-88-4
What Is Tarragon absolute?
Tarragon absolute is a rich, aromatic extract from the leaves of the tarragon plant, commonly encountered in gourmet cooking and high-end perfumery. Its distinctive anise-like aroma makes it a favorite in French cuisine and herbal liqueurs. In fragrances, it adds a sophisticated green-spicy character that bridges herbal and floral notes. This ingredient matters because it provides a unique bridge between foodie appeal and artistic perfumery, offering a natural complexity that synthetic alternatives struggle to match.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Tarragon absolute Smell Like?
Tarragon absolute bursts with an intense, licorice-like sweetness reminiscent of star anise and fennel, but with a sharper green edge. The top note is a vibrant dance of sweet herbaceousness with peppery undertones. As it evolves, a warm, slightly balsamic heart emerges with nuances of fresh hay and dried herbs. The dry-down reveals a sophisticated woody-anisic base that lingers with whispers of coumarin-like warmth. Unlike its essential oil counterpart, the absolute has greater depth with honeyed, almost animalic undertones that add intriguing complexity to fragrance compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Showcases tarragon’s spicy-anisic facets alongside citrus and oakmoss, creating a modern take on classic fougère structure with unexpected gourmet appeal.
Uses tarragon absolute to bridge cardamom and juniper notes, adding a sophisticated green-spicy accent to this woody aromatic masterpiece.
Features tarragon in a bright herbal accord with mint and basil, where its sweet-anisic quality prevents the composition from becoming too sharp.
The legendary perfume uses tarragon to enhance its herbal lavender opening, adding depth to the citrus top notes before the vanilla base emerges.
Tarragon absolute provides a subtle sweet counterpoint to the bitter gentian root, creating an intriguing bitter-sweet tension in this minimalist composition.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Tarragon absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of Artemisia dracunculus leaves, yielding a complex mixture of phenylpropanoids and terpenoids. The dominant constituent is methyl chavicol (estragole, 60-75%), responsible for the characteristic anise-like aroma. Other significant components include elemicin, eugenol derivatives, and various sesquiterpenes. Unlike steam-distilled tarragon oil, the absolute retains heavier molecules that contribute to its richer, more rounded scent profile. The composition varies significantly based on growing conditions, with Russian tarragon containing less methyl chavicol than the prized French variety.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark green to brown viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Specific Gravity | 0.895-0.925 (20°C) |
| Refractive Index | 1.504-1.520 (20°C) |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methyl chavicol | 140-67-0 | 148.20 | 215-216 °C | 2.8 | 0.15 mmHg at 25°C |
| Elemicin | 487-11-6 | 208.25 | 156-158 °C (15 mmHg) | 2.9 | 0.0006 mmHg at 25°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds sophisticated green-spicy accent |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides fresh herbal character |
| Gourmand Fragrances | 1-3% | Up to 4% | Enhances sweet-anisic effects |
| Aromatherapy | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Used for digestive focus blends |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with citrus oils to brighten the anisic character, or use small amounts to add dimension to lavender-heavy compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar sweet-herbal character with less anisic dominance and more fresh green notes. Prefer when a lighter, more garden-fresh effect is desired.
Pure methyl chavicol provides the core anisic note without the complex background. Useful when precise dosing of the key aromatic is needed.
Delivers a sweeter, more candied anise effect with less green bitterness. Better for gourmand applications requiring softer herbal tones.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions apply specifically to tarragon absolute, though methyl chavicol content should be considered under IFRA 49 (maximum 0.5% in leave-on products).
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains methyl chavicol (estragole) which requires declaration under EU allergen labeling regulations when present above 0.01% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers tarragon absolute safe at current use levels, with methyl chavicol content monitored due to potential sensitization concerns at high doses.
Sustainability
Tarragon absolute is typically sourced from cultivated plants in France and Eastern Europe. The solvent extraction process is energy-intensive but yields more material per plant than steam distillation. Some producers are implementing CO2 extraction methods to reduce solvent use. As a perennial herb, tarragon has relatively low environmental impact compared to annual crops. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the complexity of natural extracts.
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References
- Pino et al. (2012). Chemical composition of tarragon essential oil. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. DOI:10.1002/ffj.2108
- EMA (2010). Assessment report on Artemisia dracunculus L., herba. European Medicines Agency. EMA/HMPC/137426/2010
- Tisserand & Young (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Elsevier. ISBN 9780443062414
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8016-88-4Odor & Flavor
| The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of leaves, stem and flowers of the plant, in yields varying from 0.3 to 1.4%. The oil has a delicate, spicy odor similar to licorice and sweet basil, but characteristic of tarragon oil.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
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