I always wanted a Brown Betty teapot and was curious to know if it’s the special clay that makes it so unique. Taking the advice I read online, I make sure the teapot is tempered properly before adding hot water, I don’t wash the interior with soap but just rinse it and let it drip dry after each use. What you’re left with is a layer of tea residue hidden by the dark brown color and the interior of the pot basically becomes seasoned. Oh, my goodness! My tea has never tasted so delicious! Even my friends have noticed how much better the flavor is! I just love it! By the way, Customer Service is super responsive when I had an issue with a different teapot. No regrets at all.

Until I received this board for Christmas, I was using my kitchen counter and was always worried about scratching it whenever I used a knife or metal bench scraper (which is why I also have a plastic one). This gorgeous board has a lipped edge so it doesn’t slide all over the counter and is the perfect size. It makes cleanup easier, too. Great Customer Service.

If you’re like me, I have a large assortment of mugs collected over the years from travel holidays and gifts from friends. The only matching set I owned at the time had white snowflakes on them and for some reason, my husband wasn’t particularly fond of them. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, but I wanted a clean, classy look. This set from Crate and Barrel works for any type of occasion. And if one breaks, you can purchase just the cup or just the saucer individually. They are microwave safe, dishwasher friendly and economical so what’s not to like?

I love my electric kettle, but after moving to an older home that couldn’t take the extra electrical strain in the kitchen, a stovetop kettle was necessary. My husband bought this kettle because it doesn’t scare the pants off you when it screams like a banshee. Instead, it’s a deeper, more harmonic whistle. The handle does stay cool, but feels warm closer to where it’s attached to the kettle. It’s perfect if you like a more modern look.

You probably already have a favorite tea brand, but I absolutely love this tea. I’ve tried a variety of brands and blends from the US and the UK and this one is my favorite for balance. While it seems a bit weak at first, just let it steep long enough for the best flavor. Of course, it’s heavenly in my Brown Betty. My daughter loves it with sugar, my best friend loves it just plain and I love it with sugar and milk. I have a subscription to ensure I will never run out!

There are many brands of digestive biscuits, but the one that always comes out on top in our home is McVitie’s. Even my son is picky when it comes to digestives. They have a denser texture with a graham-like flavor although not as crisp like an American graham cracker. Everyday my husband has one to dip into his morning tea. You can find McVite’s at Amazon, Cost Plus World Market and smaller grocery shops that sell British food.

While my husband and my son prefer digestives, my favorite are the McVitie’s Rich Tea biscuits. They are lighter and crispier and goes so well with my morning tea. They have almost a cracker-like texture with just a hint of sweetness. I have had other brands of Rich Tea biscuits but they just don’t compare in texture. These are more difficult to find, but I’ve been able to purchase them on Amazon since very few of the local shops carry this brand.

Before I started baking scones from scratch, I tried a variety of store mixes and thought they were okay, but not particularly great. However, one of the tea rooms I visited used and sold Iveta scone mixes so, of course, I had to buy it because I really enjoyed the scones at that afternoon tea. You can purchase the mixes online or if you are near Santa Cruz, you can visit the cafe/store and pick some up in person. While they are more expensive than the typical mix, I think it’s a nice splurge if you’re not really into baking and they do make great gifts. They offer a variety of flavors and it’s a snap to have a quick, easy and very tasty scone with your next cup of tea.

I get irritated when I go to put milk into my teacup and the milk runs down the front of the container instead of pouring into the cup. I’ve experienced this at restaurants and at home. For several years, I used the same little milk/creamer jug I received as a gift and always dealt with the mess it would leave. I finally decided I had had enough and searched online until I came across this set by Le Creuset. The way the spout is constructed totally makes a huge difference with no dripping. I love the little bit of color I normally wouldn’t have at my table. The set also comes in white and red through many retail sights but the link below is from Le Creuset.

When we were in lockdown, I did a lot of baking. I especially made a lot of scones. Most of the recipes I use call for baking powder for leavening. But suddenly, my family and I noticed a distinct metallic/bitter taste in my scones. I bought a new container of baking powder thinking maybe it had gone off. However, when my baked goods continued to have a bitter taste, I decided to research if anyone else experienced this. To my surprise, it’s not unusual. I learned many brands of baking powder contain aluminum which some people, but not all, can detect. Rumford Baking Powder is one of only a couple brands in my area that does not contain aluminum. A friend of mine mentioned having this bitter taste in her baking, too, so I shared with her what I had learned. Ever since I changed to this brand, I’ve not experienced that unpleasant taste again! If you can’t find it at a store near you, Amazon does have it as well.