Description

Botanical name: Smilax medica

Origin: Mexico

Mexican Sarsaparilla is a climbing vine native to North and South Americas, most notably Mexico and the Mesoamerica region.

The root of the plant has a sweet but slightly bitter flavor. At one time, the distinctive taste of root beer was due to the inclusion of Mexican Sarsaparilla in the original formula. The powdered root is usually used to make infusions and liquid extracts.