E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Brick-tea.
The inferior leaves of the tea-plant mixed with sheep’s blood and
pressed into cubes; the ordinary drink of the common people south of Moscow.
1
“The Tartars swill a horrible gruel, thick and slab, of brick-tea, suet, salt, pepper, and sugar, boiled in a chaldron (sic).”—The Daily Telegraph, Friday, October 16th, 1891.
