I found another surprisingly good and full explanation of tael. It also
shows the character (same as Liang - "two or pair" in contemporary
mandarin).
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Tael

I knew it was different in different parts of China, and there are several
variaties of it.
So, basically tael is a Chinese ounce. But 37.5 is what is used in Chinese
pharmacies and teashops today.

Sasha.

>
> Tael in Mainland China equals 10 quan = 37.5 g (that is why many puerh
> cakes weight 375 g = 10 tael)
> In Hong Kong I think its 37.8 g.
> When you order shark fin soup in a good restorant they always say in the
> menu how many taels of dry fin was used.
> Also they use tael in traditional pharmacies.
>
>
> Sasha.
>