brick tea
Preserved but no longer current.
The inferior leaves of the plant mixed with a glutinous substance (sometimes bullock's or sheep's blood), pressed into cubes, and dried. These blocks were frequently used as a medium of exchange in Central Asia.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “brick tea” mean?
The inferior leaves of the plant mixed with a glutinous substance (sometimes bullock's or sheep's blood), pressed into cubes, and dried. These blocks were frequently used as a medium of exchange in Central Asia.
Is “brick tea” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.