sweet-tea

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Botany-Bay tea, or Australian tea.


(Called also Native Sarsaparilla.See Sarsaparilla.) A plant, Smilax glycyphylla,Smith., N.O. Liliaceae.

1788. D. Considen, letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Nov. 18, in`Historical Records of New South Wales,' vol. i. part ii.p. 220:

«I have sent you some of the sweet tea of this country, which

I recommend, and is generally used by the marines and convicts.

As such it is a good anti-scorbutic, as well as a substitute for that which is more costly.»

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 195:

«The sweet-tea, a creeping kind of vine . . . the taste issweet, exactly like the liquorice-root of the shops. Of thisthe convicts and soldiers make an infusion which is tolerablypleasant, and serves as no bad succedaneum for tea.»

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 203:

«`Sweet tea' . . . The decoction made from its leaves . . .is similar in properties, but more pleasant in taste, than thatobtained from the roots of S. officinalis, or Jamaicasarsaparilla. The herb is a common article of trade amongSydney herbalists.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

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