An extract from the roots of some species – most significantly Jamaican sarsaparilla ("S. ornata") – is used to make the sarsaparilla drink and other root beers, as well as herbal drinks like the popular Baba Roots from Jamaica. Two species, "S. domingensis" and "S. havanensis", are used in a traditional soda-like Cuban beverage called pru. The roots may also be used in soups or stews. The young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and are said to taste like asparagus, and the berries can be eaten both raw and cooked. Stuffed smilax pancake, or "fúlíng jiābǐng" (), is a traditional snack from the Beijing region. "S. glabra" is used in Chinese herbology. It is also a key ingredient in the Chinese medical dessert "guīlínggāo", which makes use of its property to set certain kinds of jelly.