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Brown Betty Teapot
Brown Betty Teapots
We are pleased that you went searching for the Brown Betty Teapot for you have found it.
The Brown Betty has been very popular since it's inception in the 1800s. I have read on other web sites all sorts of claims as to it's history and origins. Many web sites simply copy somebody elses comments embellishing them along the way and you end up with a rather skewed picture. I will give you my version based on the reading I have done on the subject.
The glaze on the teapot is based on a manganese brown glaze developed by the Marquis of Rockingham on his estate in England in the late 1700s. This Rockingham Brown glaze and the Betty shape was eventually shortened to the affectionate term Brown Betty which we use today. (How the shape got the Betty term I have not yet discovered.) The teapot was one made for the general public as a very utilitarian piece for daily use. It needed to be durable and cheap and so was made from a good terracotta clay which would hold the heat nicely. Todays teapots are still made out of a red clay visible on the unglazed portions of the lid and base of the teapot.
A single company is still licensed to make the brown betty design in England and it has had its ups and downs going in and out of business leaving a trail of creditors behind but continuing to make the teapot in each new incarnation and name. At first it was Caledonia Pottery, then Cauldone Vale, and now just Cauldon and you will find teapots for sale in the US with all those name tags depending on the date of the stores inventory.
As previously mentioned on this site the factory had some production problems that resulted in some crazing on small batches of their production. In speaking with US distributors I was told that the problem was not widespread and that reports of problems have dropped away in 2009. I will note here that in my latest batch of teapots I found inside the teapot a slip of paper with the following comment.
'Thank you for purchasing this authentic hand made English Brown Betty teapot. Whilst every care was taken in the manufacture of this teapot, in a hand made product some imperfection is inevitable, but the long term use of the product is not impaired and it will continue to make the best cup of tea.'
So many customers have requested these teapots that we now stock them again and offer them for sale with the understanding that you recognize their quality and glazing is variable and that we can only guarantee their safe arrival to you and give no guarantee as to their future performance.
You may select from the menu to the left to purchase them.
Making a perfect pot of Tea with Thanks to our friends at Zhi Tea
Where to begin:
To make a perfect pot of tea, start with one of your favorite loose teas. Then add cold water to your kettle and heat to the desired tempurature (see below). Fill your teapot with hot tap water to warm it. Before pouring in the hot water empty the hot tap water from the pre-warmed teapot.
Next, add approximately two teaspoons of tea leaf per 6oz cup to your infuser. Pour the water directly onto the leaves and steep the tea according to the directions below.
Steeping:
For Black Tea:
* bring your water to a full boil and remove from heat immediately (don't overboil).
* allow tea to steep approximately 3-5 minutes and strain.
For Green Teas:
* bring your water to a pre boil (appx. 180 degrees. 160 degrees for sencha)
* when little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the kettle, remove from heat.
* allow tea to steep 1 1/2 - 3 minutes and strain.
For Oolong Teas:
* bring your water to a pre boil.
* when little bubbles are coming to the surface (a bit hotter than you would need for green tea) remove from heat.
* allow to steep 2-4 minutes and strain.
For Green Teas:
* bring your water to a pre boil (appx. 180 degrees. 160 degrees for sencha)
* when little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the kettle, remove from heat.
* allow tea to steep 1 1/2 - 3 minutes and strain.
For White Teas:
* bring your water to a pre boil.
* when little bubbles start to form on the bottom, remove from heat.
* allow to steep 2-4 minutes and strain.
For Herbal Tea:
* bring your water to a full boil and remove from heat immediately (don't overboil).
* allow tea to steep approximately 3-5 minutes and strain.
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