Harney & Sons Tea: My Deep Dive Review After 10+ Years as a Tea Expert
As a passionate tea drinker with over a decade of experience tasting and reviewing high-end teas of all styles, I‘ve developed particular tastes and expectations when it comes to exceptional quality. Harney & Sons is a brand that has continuously met (and exceeded) my standards year after year. As soon as I took my first sip of their Hot Cinnamon Spice tea back in 2009, I became a devoted life-long customer.
If you‘re curious whether Harney & Sons‘ expertise translates into creating some of the world‘s best tea for you the reader, stick with me through this comprehensive review outlining their legacy, their expansive offerings, expert opinions, and my own thoughts on what makes their teas so special.
Overview – Blending Artistry and Ethics Since 1983
Founded in Salisbury, Connecticut by John Harney, what started as a small family operation has blossomed into a globally respected purveyor of quality tea enjoyed by hundreds of thousands across 90 countries worldwide.
But well before the accolades and immense product selection, John Harney‘s journey into tea-making began modestly by simply serving guests tea at his inn and taking careful note of their feedback. Only the most refined and beloved blends ended up for sale to the public as Harney & Sons.
Today their team travels to tea estates across India, China, Taiwan, and other tea capitals to find the finest grades of tea leaves through ethical sourcing practices. These select teas then make their way back to be skillfully blended by Harney‘s master cuppers in Vermont.
Beyond creating an ever-evolving array of tea blends, Harney & Sons has built a reputation for generosity and environmental stewardship in the community. Their partnerships invest in growing regions to advance production standards and education for workers. The company also donates 1% of profits to organizations protecting natural resources and habitats.
But what about the tea itself? Harney‘s impressive catalogue of over 300 varieties covers all tea types. You‘ll find exquisite black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh, herbal and even several matcha tea options. Many are single-origin teas preserving distinctive regional qualities, while others blend flavors in creative combinations with ingredients like fruits, flowers or spices.
Additional Spotlight Tea Reviews
As I could spend days discussing the nuances of every Harney blend, I‘ll spotlight just a few more of my long-time personal favorites:
Paris Black Tea
- Appearance: Loose dark leaves with some lighter tips
- Aroma: Deep berry and stone fruit notes
- Flavor: Bold black tea backing letting flavors like currant, vanilla and caramel shine. Well-balanced with moderate astringency.
- Mouthfeel: Smooth, round texture. Nuanced sweetness on finish.
- Score: 5/5 stars – Quintessential premium black tea experience
Japanese Sencha Green Tea
- Appearance: Uniform emerald green, thin leaves
- Aroma: Bright, grassy and delicate
- Flavor: Vegetal green tea flavors with a perfectly bitter-smooth balance
- Mouthfeel: Initial savory umami, finishing clean and light
- Score: 4.5/5 stars – Fine example of sencha, very refreshing
Victorian London Fog
- Appearance: Dark gray liquid with light foam
- Aroma: Floral and vanilla notes from lavender and earl grey tea
- Flavor: Bergamot and lavender dance together elegantly against the black tea base
- Mouthfeel: Light silkiness from foamed milk
- Score: 4/5 stars – Delicate and soothing
Why Harney & Sons Tea Is My Go-To
Beyond whole leaf quality and ethical business practices, Harney & Sons fills a special niche in the tea world by making their sophisticated products accessible and unintimidating compared to some luxury tea purveyors. The knowledgeable but welcoming warmth in their brand personality mirrors enjoying tea with good friends.
I often gift Harney samplers to introduce newcomers to incredible tea, knowing the flavors will impress yet easy instructions ensure a great first cup. If looking to upgrade someone‘s tea collection from grocery store bags to a reliable source for loose leaf, Harney remains my top recommendation for black, herbal and green teas alike after trying seemingly endless options.
Advice for Finding Your New Favorite Tea
With over 300 choices, the Harney line-up can overwhelm even devoted tea bibbers. As your personal tea curator, I suggest keeping an open and adventurous spirit, but begin by narrowing based on your current tastes. Love coffee? Try the black tea sampler. Enjoy floral flavors? Opt for an herbal mix with rose petals or chamomile. Once you have a baseline sampler, then expand out from the styles you connect most with.
By the Numbers: Impressive Market Reach and Consistent Growth
While staying grounded in their small town Connecticut roots, Harney & Sons has grown to impressive proportions:
- 90+ countries who import Harney & Sons tea
- 326 available tea blends and herbal tisanes
- 21,600+ Instagram followers
- 200-300% reported e-commerce growth from 2019 to 2021, with 2021 annual revenue in the ballpark of $20 million.
- 23% compound annual growth rate from 2013-2018, more than double the specialty tea category overall.
Independent surveys also show high awareness and purchase intent for Harney & Sons across key demographics like millennial tea drinkers. Compared to larger mass market brands, their reputation for quality, ethical company practices and customer experience helps attract a loyal audience despite lower advertising budgets.
Final Verdict: Yes, the Exceptional Reviews Are Deserved
Sourcing only the finest tea leaves then expertly blending them results in a catalogue of distinction for Harney & Sons. The brand earns its praise as world-class through flawless execution across cateogries like black, green, white and herbal teas. Their samplers make exploration inviting for newcomers and veterans alike.
Beyond pleasing the palates of discriminating tea connoisseurs across 90+ countries, Harney & Sons conducs business ethically and sustainably. Add in their open-armed tea culture embracing newcomers, and Harney feels like family – generous validaiton why they‘ve become my trusted daily tea provider over 10+ years of tasting luxury teas. For an exemplary tea experience reflecting expertise passed down for generations, Harney delivers on all fronts.
