Somerton Green Fine Bone Porcelain and Fancy That in Walpole MA

Firstly, when you see this picture, you just have to ask out loud - "beautiful, aren't they?"....and of course the answer is "they are simply stunning."  These beautiful teapots and matching cups and saucers are the introduction line of Somerton Green from Australia into Fancy That's Tea Room.  And soon, carried in our Gift Shoppe.  When you have Tea in our Tea Room, you may be served your tea selection in these wonderful Somerton Green tea pots.  Keep an eye here and on our Facebook Page for more information about ordering one these beautiful tea pots, cup and saucer sets, for your own collection and more items of Australia's Somerton Green line.  Thrilled!  We are just absolutely thrilled to have Somerton Green in Fancy That's Tea Room and Gift Shoppe.  Thanks for stopping by!

Fancy That in Walpole, MA announces "Cream Tea To Go"

Fancy That is pleased to announce our Cream Tea To Go!  You can call ahead and in two hours or less, we will have your Cream Tea ready in a box, to go!  Don't quite know what Cream Tea is?  Cream Tea is a scone or scones, served with clotted cream, strawberry jam and English Breakfast tea.  Cream Tea is also known as Devonshire Tea, Devon Cream Tea or Cornish Cream Tea.   Very popular in the South West of England, Cream Tea is served in many of the tea rooms in the UK, and now is catching on in the USA as well.

Of course, we do have to mention the different ways of preparing your Cream Tea.  (said with a grin, of course).  In the USA, it is "as you wish."  But if you are Cornish, or having Cornish Cream Tea, your jam goes on the scone first, and the "cream" (or clotted cream) goes on top of the jam (sometimes also called the Cornish Split).  The Cornish are very, VERY proud of their cream and like to ensure that it is the top of the heap when it comes to the scone.  "Devon Cream Tea" is the method of preparing the scone with the "cream" on first, and the jam on top.  The scones should be split in two, either with fingers or a spreader, and each half prepared.  Butter is rarely ever present since the clotted cream serves that purpose and much better at that!  Milk, whole, is what is put in the English Breakfast tea.  After all, cream is for coffee and milk is for tea.

So there you are!  You know what Cream Tea is.  And now you also know that Fancy That has Cream Tea to Go - Thursdays through Sundays.  Call ahead toll free (888-32-32-TEA) and we will have your cream tea ready to go when you are!  Cream Tea To Go - now available at Fancy That!  Thanks for stopping by!  :)

Author of "Great American Tea Rooms" stopping by for Book Signing

We are very excited to welcome Bruce Richardson to Fancy That for an Afternoon Tea, a presentation of his new book "A Social History of Tea" and a book signing.  While the tickets for the Afternoon Tea and presentation are SOLD OUT, Bruce will be available on December 6 2013 from 2pm to 3pm to sign books.  This book signing is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  And if you don't have your new "A Social History of Tea" book or "Great American Tea Rooms of America" you can purchase them at Fancy That then have Bruce sign them....all at the same time!

So set your timer, and make a note in your calendar....December 6th 2013 from 2pm to 3pm, Bruce Richardson will be at Fancy That in Walpole, Massachusetts to sign his new book and his older books.  You may bring your book you already purchased or purchase one or three of his books at Fancy That.  The book signing is open to the Public so just stop by!  :)  See you on December 6th!

Stop By Our Open House December 1, 2013!

(c) Jamie R Doyle Photography

Save the date of Sunday Dec 1st (from 1:30-5pm) for our Holiday Open House! Sample Holiday Tea (black tea spiced with citrus, almond, clove and cinnamon) and our delish cinnamon tea bread! Also, we're super excited to have Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, Lisa Lee at our open house this year! You'll have a chance to shop for gift sets or stocking stuffers, learn a glamorous new holiday look or book a pampering appointment for yourself or your loved ones. This event is open to the public, so no need to RSVP Just stop by between 1:30 and 5pm on Sunday December 1st .

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

The Posset Cup or "Loving Cup"

Fancy That recently acquired a cup with two handles.  We have been asked what is the reason for a double hand, so we thought we would share some ideas.

A cup with two handles, or double handles, is not really a tea cup at all.  In European circles, tea cups have one handle.  In Asian circles, there are no handles as the cups are a little more squat making them a little more adept at capturing the smell and nature of the brewing tea leaves.

Double handled cups are often thought of as consomme or bouillon cups.  You may see soup bowls that have saucers or underplates and a handle on each side.  They may be called bouillon cups or cream soup cups.  They are usually larger in size and utilitarian.  If the hostess wanted to serve soup without lugging a tureen from the kitchen (or she had no staff to lug) she would fill the double handled cup with an underplate and deliver the soup straight to the table.

Then there is the "loving cup."  Shaped after a winner's cup or trophy cup, these were decoration or keepsakes for a significant event - christening, birthday, birth, et cetera. (The picture above is similar to a "loving cup" done in a "Fragonard Style.")

The double handled cup was a cup also made for the weak, infirm or those drinking a warm ale, curdled milk, or warm wine.  British will call that a Posset Cup.  After all, Posset is a drink that warms the hands as well as the soul.  Why not take it in a double handled cup named after the warm beverage...the Posset Cup.  Posset Cups were given as hostess sets especially during the "big wet" or damp season when common colds were as prevalent as the rain drops.

Loving cup, Posset Cup, Consomme or others, but rarely a tea cup.  Now you know!  :)  Thanks for stopping by!