Stoke-on-Trent Brown Betty, 4 cup

The Brown Betty teapot has its origins in the 17th century when English potters copied the spherical shape of Ming Dynasty Chinese porcelain imports. Unfortunately the white clay available at that time would crack with repeated exposure to boiling water, but there was discovered at Bradwell wood, near Stoke-on-Trent, a red clay that would happily withstand such use. So the Brown Betty was born, at first unglazed, but later as today made with the addition of a traditional Rockingham brown glaze. They are reputed to make the finest cup of English style tea, as the shape of the pot causes the tea leaves to be gently swirled around as the water is added, thus producing an exquisite infusion. Made in Stoke, as they should be.