I do have a "brown betty" look-alike teapot, shiny Rockingham glaze and unglazed ring on its bottom.
It does not, however, have any identification mark there. It does, using tea leaves, brew a good cuppa.
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Tea Time
Saturday, 1 March 2025
I have enjoyed a Devon cream tea in England. It was clotted cream and strawberry preserves that were the primary focus, though the tea was, of course, important.
I do have a "brown betty" look-alike teapot, shiny Rockingham glaze and unglazed ring on its bottom.
It does not, however, have any identification mark there. It does, using tea leaves, brew a good cuppa.
In Japan, tea was the center of a tea ceremony, which began with walking through the garden on irregular stepping stones to approach the tea house and bending, humbling myself to enter.
My nambu cast iron teapot should not be used to actually brew tea, but only boil the water.
A chilly day in winter. The nambu pot keeps water warm. And a simple mug warms my hands too.
Once, when I was in Japan, friends took me to a potter's studio. I saw a wide range of mugs
from which to drink tea. Some were - somewhat gaudy. But it was the plain ones spoke to me.
When making a cup of tea at home many people use tea leaves that come in bandages,
little bags with a string to dunk up and down. Even in restaurants. Colored water.
I have an assortment of teapots, used occasionally when I want to treat myself, such as
this matt glazed blue teapot from a potter, large enough for tea for both me and a guest.
For myself, there is this oxblood glazed teapot, from a potter I knew back in Connecticut.
And for a more casual afternoon cuppa, a small white commercial teapot. Makes a good cup.
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To brew a good cup (or pot) of black tea the water should be at the boil,
212 degrees Fahrenheit, and the tea allowed to brew for 3 to 5 minutes.
Green or white teas are brewed at lower temperature and for less time.
Described as having lighter, fruity and floral taste, Darjeeling is grown in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, while Ceylon comes from the highlands of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon.)
Often enjoyed with milk and sugar, English Breakfast is a blend of black teas, usually from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. Irish Breakfast tea is stronger and bolder when compared to English Breakfast, with a dominant Assam tea component.
Earl Grey is a black tea blend flavored with bergamot oil from the rind of the bergamot orange, a Mediterranean citrus fruit.
While Coffee Bean Direct ( https://www.coffeebeandirect.com ) is local for me, you are in luck because they have great mail delivery service. And while their name says "coffee" just take a look at their 2 pages of teas ( https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/collections/loose-leaf-tea )
If your teapot does not have a built-in integral strainer you may use one
like this handsome silver strainer that's designed to be held over the teacup.
Or use a tea ball that holds the tea leaves while it is brewing. Don't really
want to chew on tea leaves, before or after brewing. Pardon me, it's tea time.
If you have any comments or questions, you can e-mail me: jgglatt@gmail.com
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