I hope these help:

Herbs Forum: Tarragon threads

FataMorgana

If you know its obvious taste ahead of time, and pluck a leaf off to taste it, and find its lacking any taste, it may be the fake one grown from seeds. I was given a sick looking Tarragon plant from a no name plant seller nearby. I was not aware of it being true or not, but was given the plant for free. It turned out to be true tarragon, as it had the definate taste, died out in fall, and resprouted all new shoots theb following spring. It didn't survive a second year however, so I a not 100% sure that true Tarragon will reliably come up every spring. I'll know for sure next year spring when mine doesn't show up again.

The leaves and plant itself have no strong odor-as a lot of herbs do. However, I tasted one of the leaves and it had a strong liqorice(sp?) tpye flavor to it. What about that? Also, the plant is growing downwards, around the pot, not straight up. Does this mean anything? Thanks ksrogers!

They will branch and bush out when mature. Anise or licorice flavor I don't think so, as Basil usually has that as a predominent taste. Tarragon has a flavor that some people may not like. I would compare it to cilantro, as that is also one herb that has a taste some people say is like soap. If you have any dried tarragon leaves give them a taste and see if they are similar to yours in flavor. The 'fake' Tarragon has very little taste. Tarragon has very narrow leaves about 1-2 inches long, and can droop over the edges of the pot. Mine is outside and next to my greenhouse where its just about 2 inches tall right now after a total winter of being dorment. Got mine from Richters last spring.

Thanks ksrogers. You guys are all so helpful on this forum. The tarragon does droop over the pot, and is quite bushy(mounding but trailing) if that makes since!
By the way, I LOVE cilantro. It seems most either love it or hate it.

When you taste a leaf of a true tarragon plant, not only do you get the plant flavour but also your tongue will actually go "numb" for a few minutes. That tells you that you have the real thing.