Why is the Brown Betty teapot any different from any other teapot? The teapot dates back to 1695 and is from an area in Britain named Stoke-on-Trent. It’s round, shiny, and brown. It has a bit of history and a following. There is a reason the Brown Betty teapot was sought after and desired. It was beyond its looks and style and had more to do with how the teapot was created.
Consider before buying a Brown Betty Teapot
If you are looking for a Brown Betty teapot you have to know that they are rare. Because the original Brown Betty teapot is a rare item, it is hard to find. But when you do find one, hold the one you will know the difference. There is a certain feel to a handmade classic.
An original Black Betty will have this glossy brown finish. The brown finish is called Rockingham Brown. It’s unique and I’d love to say you will know when you see them. The teapot is fragile, so handle it with care. On the bottom of the teapot will state”. Cauldron Original Betty, Made in England”. You find that and you are handling an original Brown Betty Teapot.
These are fragile and I expect one of the reasons the teapot is so rare. They are also made by hand so there will be no two alike. The finish reminds me of a ceramic piece. But the Brown Betty is made of clay, clay found only in the area of Stoke-On-Trent. It adds to the rarity of the teapot.
If you are a collector of teapots, make room for the Brown Betty Teapot. It should be something you are looking for to enhance your collection. Finding an antique Brown Betty is possible. Look under several names like Alcock, Lindsey & Bloore, Sadler, and of course Cauldron. I’d be looking at thrift stores, eBay, and grandma’s pantry to see what you can find. You can buy genuine teapots from Cauldron today.
The Brown Betty
The Brown Betty teapot originated in 1696. She is made of red clay that excluded Stoke-on-Trent in Britain. The teapot is still made in Stoke-on Trent today using the same clay. That clay is called Etruria marl. It’s extracted from the clay and processed at Valentine’s clays. The pots are molded at Cauldon Ceramics, one of the oldest Brown Betty manufacturers.
One of the special features of the teapot is the glaze. The glaze used on the teapot is called Rockingham Glaze. Once it’s fired it gives a streaky finish making a unique finish.
People believe this type of teapot is the best because of its shape and the clay that is used. How The Brown Betty got her name, we will never know. There are many stores but all are speculation and not fact. Today we will wonder at the creation and hope one day my path with cross the Brown Betty Teapot.
Pros
Taste – The taste of the tea brewed in this type of pot is considered to be excellent. Because of the shape, the tea leaves are swirled in a circle.
Pureness – There is nothing like drinking from a clay vessel. The taste is beyond comparison to anything else.
Water Temperature – Because of the properties of the clay your water is kept warm longer.
Cons
Fragile – The clay once fired will be fragile, the glaze helps to protect it a little but if dropped it will surely break.
Replica – Because of the rareness of the teapot watch many replicas. Below we discuss how to tell a real Brown Betty.
Microwave/Dishwasher – do not microwave this will destroy your teapot. Likely do not put your Brown Better in the dishwasher either. Hand washes and dry only.
Some of the Outstanding Features & Benefits
So, here is one story that seems to make the most sense as to the name of the Brown Betty teapot. We can all speculate that the name “brown” comes from the beautiful Rockingham glaze and finish. That finish a beautiful dark brown glaze. So I can see brown. Next, Betty.
One explanation that I like is that the name Betty came from the name Elizabeth. Because it was such a popular name among baby girls in the Victorian era the name was often shortened to Betty. Because many servants could have been named Elizabeth (shortened to Betty). Servants served tea. Are you following me here?
Brown Betty teapot – a servant by the name of Betty served tea with the brown teapot.
During Queen Victoria's reign, tea became a symbol of Britain's greatest period of expansion and stability. Every home owned a teapot, even if it was a basic "Brown Betty"
It’s a long shot but it’s a very enjoyable and somewhat logical explanation.
The size of the Brown better is 8.5 inches long, 6.5 inches high and its width is 3.75 inches long. It can hold 36 fluid ounces which is about 6 cups. Its shape is rather simple. It’s shaped like a globe. The shape is thought to be the best design for the infusion of the tea leaves as well as to keep the tea warmer longer. The name itself does not necessarily represent a teapot but rather a design or style of an era of tea.
The Brown Betty teapot was made in a small town just 160 miles from the midlands of England. A town called Stoke-on-Trent. That is where the glaze and clay were found and used to create this beautiful teapot.
In 1600 the teapot was molded by hand on a potter’s wheel. The handle and spout were made separately and added at some point later. Currently, the teapot is made of mold, once set the mold is removed and then left on shelving to dry naturally. Finally, it is placed inside a kiln and fired. It is then covered with Rockingham glaze. Finally, it’s fired again to give the glaze that amazing Brown Betty finishes.
That clay was better at retaining heat than other clay. That same clay is still used today. Some things are still kept pure and the way they were intended to be. Sometimes with just a little bit of updating, but other than that, same clay, same pot.
Water is an important part of tea making. Water can change the way the tea tastes and so can the teapot. Brewing tea with the Brown Betty has been said to create one of the best cups of tea you will ever taste. That taste can be acquired only with the Brown Betty. The boiling water is poured into the kettle and the tea leaves swirl around and around. The minerals contained inside the clay are released into the water, infuse with the tea, and give us the most amazing taste.
Oh and that brown color…. tea won’t leave its stain, because it’s already brown as well as the glazing that allows the tea to just bead and rolls off.
Moving forward to the 21st century. The Brown Betty teapot is still being manufactured, with a little update. The teapot is still made the original way by Caultron Ceramics. There is also a re-engineered design. The lid is inverted and locks into place, making the spout tip downwards similar to a faucet. An infuser has been added as well. All this with the same Rockingham brown glaze and Ehuria Mari clay. It is limited.
A teapot that can stretch through time. A teapot that remains today with the same popularity and inquisitive nature. People ask questions about the Brown Betty teapot.
An alternative to the brown better can be a teapot made with rare “zi sha” clay (“purple sand”). It’s not a brown better for sure but still a complete joy to own.
A handmade work of Chinese art, with a tradition going back thousands of years. This pot is made from rare "zi sha" clay ("purple sand"), which is found only in the city of Yixing, in Jiangsu province.
Conclusion
Not much is known about the designer or the history of the Brown Betty teapot. What we do know is that it is an absolute wonder. It’s an inexpensive wonder. The teapot gives us an incredible cup of tea and a beautiful look. A product design that brews the best cup of tea we may ever know and keep it warmer longer.
From the simple means of clay. The hands of a potter create a most unique, treasured, and mysterious teapot.
15 thoughts on “Secrets About The Brown Betty Teapot You Need To Know”
I bought my brown “Betty” in England at a thrift store 20yrs ago. The lid has a wide rim, and it says Made in England, but only with a number. Is it a true Brown Betty? Please advise?
Thanks, Adriana
Hi Adriana, Thanks so much for asking and supporting My Tea Vault. Can you send me an image of the Brown Betty pot? both the lid and the bottom. I will let you know.
Hi Lisa,
I have a dark green ceramic tea pot that belonged to my grandmother. It LOOKS like a Brown Betty but I’m fairly certain it’s not. I’m just curious because I’d like to know if she brought it over when her family came from England at the turn of the century. There are no readable markings on the bottom. There is a black circle but the printing inside of it is no longer readable. Any help you can give me in identifying this would be great. Thanks!
Hi Edie,
Do you have a picture you can send me? I will see what I can find out. It may be interesting just to research it.
Hello, so this week I got a Brown Betty, it looks really old and I did research on line and found this fine text here. thanx. I ama curator at The Asia Museum and teapot collector, mainly China and Japan, but this one is so special!
Regards, MMG
Ohhh Mag, that is thrilling! I’d love to see it.
I’d love to know more about your collection as well. Thank you so much for reaching out, I love connecting with the tea community!
What’s your favorite tea? Today I am drinking a Black Honey Oolong. Love it’s flavor and refreshing after notes.
Yesterday found an intact old
genuine Brown Betty at Goodwill, no damage whatsoever. Was it a bargain at $2.99? It doesn’t appear to ever have been washed inside, with the decades of tannins buildup it was literally flaking off…on the bottom It says “Made in England” and has a dime sized unglazed spot in the center. Can’t wait to get it cleaned up. Any way to determine age of this pot?
Jo! That is wonderful. Interestingly enough there was one at a local online auction this past week. If you can, can you send me a picture of it and the bottom? I will try to identify it for you and find an age. Are there any numbers on it?
Either way, how exciting and an honor to possess.
Feel free to email me at; [email protected]
More than fifty years ago there were in Italy some black earth tea sets with the inner side of the tea cups of a gourgeous ivory, and on the external two circles also of the same colour ivory. Do you know if its related to brown betty manifacture? I will send some photos but in this page there isn’t way.
Ahhhh, now I see what you were talking about, I thought there was an error in my article. Ha. Oh yes, please send me images to: [email protected]
I think it’s probably not if it’s made in Italy, but I love a good mystery and trying to figure things out.
better to say two stripe banded (ivory) on brown
I saw a cobalt in cup on eBay, it doesn’t say original on bottom just cauldron. I suspect it’s fake then.
I’d not call it a fake, but possibly a wanna be? 🙂 It’s still probably very beautiful. Did you get it? Were they offering it as a Brown Betty?
Yes, I got it for $10 plus shipping. I confirmed with Cauldon it was one of theirs.
That’s the best news I heard today!!! ENJOY it!