First, Let’s Talk About Matcha
Matcha tea, originally used for the Japanese Tea Ceremony, has been around for thousands of years but has only gained popularity in the U.S. over the last few decades. People often ask, despite its color, if matcha is green tea…and the answer is a resounding yes! Matcha is a green tea powder made from Tencha leaves and contains all the attendant benefits of green teas. While Tencha can be brewed on its own, it is most commonly used to create matcha. To learn everything there is to know about matcha, see our aptly named “Everything You Want to Know About Matcha” page.
We offer a range of thin, thick, and extra thick matcha grades depending on your taste and purpose. We also offer an Organic Matcha, Organic Everyday Matcha, flavored matchas, White Peach and Very Berry, and our newest flavored offering, Earl Grey Matcha. Then there are these two delightfully different matchas, Roasted Buckwheat Matcha, and Matcha iri Genmaicha, a special tea made with Bancha leaves and brown rice coated in matcha powder.
We’re please to be able to offer our customers several types of matcha:
To determine the type of matcha you might prefer, take our Matcha Quiz! Once you’ve decided which matcha you want to brew, you’ll need the right tools – they’re key to making matcha sing.
Must-Have Matcha Tools
Every matcha master has these tools at the ready for preparing traditional matchas.
To make this even easier, we’ve packaged these tools in a convenient Matcha Set.
Once you’ve selected your matcha powder and have the best quality water on hand – it is said that water is the mother of tea – you’re ready to get whippin’!
How to Brew Matcha Tea
You can also watch this video to gain some added confidence in your matcha-making skills.
Note that this method is for making matcha with matcha powder. Our flavored matchas as well as Roasted Buckwheat Matcha and Matcha iri Genmaicha are steeped more like your “regular” cup of tea.
That’s it! Employ your new matcha master skills on different varieteas of matcha to expand your horizons and explore different flavors and grades. We hope you take these easy tips and spring into action! Enjoy the wonderful world of matcha!
]]>Where Does Lavender Come From?
Lavender is native to the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, where it grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, lavender can be found growing in southern Europe, Australia, and the U.S. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to see the iconic lavender fields in Provence, France, knows firsthand of their beauty.
The word “lavender” comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash.” The ancient Romans used lavender oil in their baths, one of many uses this herb – a member of the mint family – would come to be prized. The ancient Greeks used lavender to treat insomnia and ease back pain, while the ancient Egyptians employed lavender during their mummification process, embalming the corpses with perfume.
Are There Different Types of Lavender?
There are, in fact, 47 different types of lavender, or lavandula (its species name). The five most popular types are English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Lavandin.
English lavender (lavandula angustofolia) is the most commonly cultivated type. Its oils are used to perfume soap, oils, potpourri, etc. This type of lavender is also used as a culinary lavender due to its lighter floral flavor than the other types. It’s the type of lavender most often used to make lavender tea.
What Are the Benefits of Lavender?
Because of its soothing fragrance, lavender is extremely popular in essential oils, perfumes, lotions, potpourri, candles, teas, and more. It is often used in aromatherapy products that help promote sleep as it is believed to reduce stress and ease insomnia. It has also been associated with helping alleviate joint and muscle pain as well as headaches. It has been used to treat eczema, acne, and other skin conditions like wounds and burns. It can help ease digestive issues and is thought to help promote hair growth. (Please keep in mind that none of these claims have been approved by the FDA, however, so before you rely on lavender to address any medical issues, please consult with your physician.)
One known benefit of lavender is its use as a bug repellent! Having a pot of it on your patio or planting it in your garden can help keep mosquitos and other bugs at bay, which makes sitting outside and sipping your lavender tea that much more enjoyable! If you have lavender plants in your garden, they can also help protect other plants from bugs and possible foragers like rabbits and deer from using your garden as a snack bar.
Let’s Talk About Lavender Tea!
Lavender has long been a popular herb used in tea. It is said that Queen Victoria’s tea of choice was lavender tea – she appreciated its ability to ease her stomach, something people still enjoy it for today. Lavender tea is also a great way to relax before bedtime or to help reduce stress during the day.
Lavender’s taste has hints of mint and rosemary. Its floral flavor is calming and makes a lovely cup of tea. We offer the following lavender tea blends.
In summary, lavender smells great, tastes great, helps reduce stress, aids in sleep, and keeps bugs in check. What’s not to love? Add some lavender tea to your pantry today, and let us know what you like best about this beautiful herb.
]]>Butterfly Pea Flower Origins
The butterfly pea flower comes from Southeast Asia. It grows on a vine and is regarded as a healing plant, boasting a long list of Ayurvedic properties. In case you aren’t familiar with Ayurveda, it’s one of the world’s oldest holistic, alternative medical practices with centuries-old roots in India that focuses on cleansing the body and restoring balance to the mind, body, and spirit. The plant was frequently grown in temples, used in Hindu worship rituals, and is a highly respected pretty blue flower.
What Are the Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower?
As previously mentioned, this flower has long been prized for its medicinal properties. Like green teas, it is rich in antioxidants and is naturally caffeine-free. It is also packed with the catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) along with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting elements such as flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols. It also contains collagen-like properties that are beneficial to your hair, skin, and nails. In other words, stuff that’s good for you!
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, however, it is recommended that you avoid butterfly pea flower due to the lack of studies on the effects of the plant on these groups. Also, the flowers have been known to cause uterine contractions.
What Does Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Taste Like?
Before you can taste it, you need to brew it! Steep your Butterfly Pea Flower Tea with 212° F water for five minutes. Your brewed cup of beautiful blue tea will have a mild, earthy flavor with an aroma akin to whole wheat pancakes and maple syrup … in other words, delicious! It has a medium body and, because it is a tisane, is naturally caffeine-free.
If you want to branch out and try other teas with butterfly pea flower, our Indigo Punch is a great option. We blend the butterfly pea flower with hibiscus, lemongrass, lemon peel, rosehips, apple pieces, raspberry, and honey flavors. We also have a totally refreshing Butterfly Flower Lemonade, as well as our Rest Butterfly Lemonade from our sister company, The Hemp Division. It contains 15 MG of CBD for an extra wellness boost.
I Say Blue Tea, You Say Purple!
Butterfly pea flower tea is everyone’s favorite tea party magic trick. When you add some acid – lemon juice is the most common – to the brewed tea, the beautiful blue hue turns purple. Tah dah!
Another fun fact: the mineral content of your water source will also affect the color of your brewed butterfly pea flower tea. If you compare the color of your brewed butterfly pea flower tea to the pictures of ours on our website and it doesn’t look the same, try a different water source. We used locally sourced spring water from the Berkshires for very clean, crisp, clear water.
Ready to whip up something fun and delicious? Try this mouthwatering, eye-pleasing, lovely latte.
Ingredients:
Instructions
We collaborated with the staff at The Met to create the artwork on these collector-worthy tins. The first three blends we launched for the opening of the British Galleries were Hot Apple Spice Black Tea, Garden Therapy, and a Taste of British History. In addition to enjoying the teas, we thought you might like to know a bit about the artful tins they’re housed in!
Since that initial launch, we’ve added several teas to The Met Collection:
The mission at The Met is to highlight effective storytelling, whether through paintings, murals, or sculptures. We are thrilled to partner with them as we truly connect with The Met’s message, as art and tea are timeless traditions shared by many.
]]>Mornings
My day starts around 6AM when I try to work out. I like to have a healthy breakfast, and being pretty old school, I’ll often have Shredded Wheat cereal. There’s tea, of course! My breakfast tea is a tippy Assam without milk or sugar.
Work starts at 8AM. In addition to the weekly operations meeting and other mundane procedural stuff I won’t bore you with, there’s the interesting tea stuff, like tasting the daily tea production with Elvira Cardenas, our tea purchaser, and taster. We taste teas that have arrived and compare buying samples. We also taste possible teas depending upon the season, and if we need to buy supplemental teas later in the year.
Prime tea season starts at the end of March with Chinese green teas and First Flush Darjeeling. It continues through Senchas and Oolongs in May and ends up with Second Flush Darjeelings and Assams in late June and July.
We also spend time coming up with new teas. Right now, we are focusing on French Macaron, the winning blend from 2023’s Happy Blendings contest. It will be a delicious Mutan White tea with almond, vanilla, caramel, and lavender flavors. We can't wait for you to try it later this year!
Also, at some point in the morning, we have regular calls with our German tea brokers, HTH. We catch them in our mornings, which is their afternoon. Chinese and Japanese colleagues are done by email because of the time difference.
Afternoons
For lunch, I generally go to our little Millerton shop and get some soup and maybe something else yummy, plus a glass of iced tea. Our people make special blends of iced teas like Queen Catherine, which is quite delicious.
Then we taste more tea! We will taste the afternoon tea production as well as any hot samples – decisions that cannot wait until the next day. I’ll also go see William, our head blender, and his staff once a day. That’s where the magic happens! I also like to go out and see what’s shipping that day – it’s always amazing to see who gets what.
A quick aside here on some current exciting happenings: we recently bought a complete 20-foot container of matcha. That is a first. People cannot get enough of matcha! Also, we’re buying 35 metric tons of Spanish orange peel that will show up next November. We find that there is an almost caramel flavor with the orange flavors from this supplier. It is destined for our number 1 tea, Hot Cinnamon Spice. You heard it here first!
I also make sure to visit our Millerton store a couple of times a week and say hello to any customers I encounter, and I get down to our flagship SoHo store at 433 Broome Street about once a month. They have a fun staff, and it is always interesting to see what customers love.
Finally, I do some work with our sister company, The Hemp Division. I help plant the hemp in May and watch over them all summer until harvest in September. I assist in determining the correct time to roast the hemp flowers – we roast them to make them bioactive and available for our consumers. I also taste the production, but when it comes to The Hemp Division, my brother Paul is more involved than me.
Evenings
I typically try to go home between 6:30-7PM. I’ll have wrapped up my tea drinking for the day around 4PM, since I’ve had quite a bit all day between the tastings and regular enjoyment. Because of that, when people ask me what tea I like to unwind with at night, my answer is wine! I’ve had plenty of tea all day and am a little bit of a “BurgHound” after visiting Burgundy, France, in 2023. So a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay is always welcomed.
And that, my friends, is a day in the life of a tea business owner, or this tea business owner at least! Basically, it’s full of delicious tea, amazing employees, and is about the best job in the world. As always, it’s our privilege to work to bring you teas that make you smile!
]]>Many types of teas can help boost your immune system so that you are less likely to get sick in the first place. Just like an apple a day really won’t keep the doctor away, we can’t promise a cup or two of these teas will 100% safeguard you against illness – but it’s real science that many teas have health benefits. Check out these types of teas with ingredients that can play a role in helping you have a healthier cold and flu season.
Green Teas
All tea buds and leaves contain antioxidant compounds called flavonoids. Because of how green tea is processed, however, it undergoes less internal change – which means it contains the largest quantity of intact catechins, making it something akin to the Superman of teas. Green tea catechins – a substance that protects our cells from damage by free radicals – consist of four antioxidant compounds, which is why green tea has long been believed to have many health benefits.
The antioxidant levels in green tea have been reported to be 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times better than vitamin E in protecting our immune systems (see what we mean about Superman?). While you can explore our entire lineup of green teas, here are some specific green teas you might want to try. Also, to learn more about these amazing teas, visit our Green Tea 101 page.
Ginger
Ginger is a flowering root plant with a host of nutritious elements. In addition to its best-known benefit of easing digestive issues – pregnant women love it for its anti-nausea properties – it can also help ease muscle pain and reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. And thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, it can aid in boosting your immune system. Ginger also contains some vitamin C as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties. In other words, instead of reaching for the tissue box, reach for a cup of one of these ginger teas.
Turmeric
Known best for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help with several issues, including muscle or joint pain and digestive ailments, research has shown that turmeric has some unique properties that allow it to regulate the immune system. These protective properties can aid in keeping colds, flu, and other viruses at bay.
Echinacea
The echinacea plant, also known as coneflower, has been used as a medicinal herb for over 400 years. Many elements in echinacea are antimicrobial, which means they help kill or slow the spread of microorganisms, like viruses. Some research shows that the echinacea plant contains chemicals that help your body create white blood cells, which in turn may strengthen your body’s immune system. Here are two Harney teas with echinacea to try.
Moringa
Also called the “drumstick tree” or “miracle tree,” moringa is an Ayurvedic herb lauded for its many medicinal uses. This superfood is packed with nutrients (it has three times more iron than kale) and anti-inflammatory properties. Its high antioxidant content also boosts the immune system with help from its high iron content and vitamin A. Moringa is also a natural antibacterial and antifungal – you see why it’s classified as a superfood! Add this amazing herb to your wellness arsenal with these teas.
Goji
Antioxidants are clearly a theme with these immunity-support teas, and goji berries are no exception. As Asians have known for over 2000 years, goji berries have many health benefits. In addition to antioxidants, goji berries have significant amounts of vitamins C and A. And we love their unique taste – a mix of cranberry, cherry, and tomato.
Hibiscus
This plant is more than pretty. Beyond the beautiful flowers, you’ll find a plant that is blooming with nutrients like vitamins C and A, along with nutritional minerals. Hibiscus also contains chemical compounds called phytochemicals that can help prevent disease. Enjoy these flavorful teas along with their hibiscus goodness.
Citrus & Lemongrass
Boost your morning glass of OJ and vitamin C supplement with these teas blended with citrus or lemongrass ingredients. Again, antioxidants, vitamins C and A play a role in helping boost your immune system, while the flavor of the teas gives you positive vibes that are part of your wellness routine as well!
]]>Whole Leaves
After tea leaves are fired, which is part of the flavor fixing process that most teas go through, tea makers sort the teas by leaf size by agitating the leaves through a series of screens. Whole leaves impart the fullest array of flavors; they are separated out first for the best-quality teas.
[If you’d like to take a deep dive into how tea is made, read my dad’s “From Tree to Tea” articles, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.]
If you’re a tea connoisseur, there simply is no other way to make a cup of tea than with loose leaves. There’s science behind this. Tea leaves need room to expand for full-bodied flavor; loose teas, when placed into a tea strainer or infuser, are free to bob up and down in the water, which surrounds every part of the leaves and creates a fuller flavor experience.
To give those beautiful full tea leaves plenty of room to “swim,” you’ll need a nice roomy infuser like the ones we carry. Many of our cups and mugs, as well as teapots, come with their own infuser to make brewing loose leaf tea even easier. Tea balls like many of us used back in the day – and which are still in existence now – are not ideal for brewing loose leaf tea because they don’t allow enough room for the tea to expand to its full delicious potential.
Another benefit of loose tea that probably didn’t occur to you is that it’s economical. Tea leaves can be steeped multiple times, which means you’re getting more brew for your buck. Brewing loose leaf tea also allows you to make a cup that’s unique to your individual taste – you can use more or fewer leaves depending on how strong you like your tea. Finally, loose leaf tea gets sustainability points for its lack of packaging, for which our environment is grateful.
If you’re picking up what we’re putting down about the benefits of full loose tea leaves but still don’t want to deal with infusers and measuring leaves, etc., there’s no need to worry! Many of Harney & Sons sachets contain full tea leaves. This is because our pyramid-shaped sachets – most of which are now made from a sugarcane-based material – allow for better flow of water to surround the tea leaves and expand. Sachet bonus: we’ve already done the measuring for you, ensuring you get an amazing cup of tea every time.
Broken, Fannings & Dust
After full leaves, the next smaller particles are called “broken.” Broken tea leaves make strong, brisk cups of tea. This is because they infuse faster than whole leaves.
Fannings and dust are the smallest particles of the tea leaf. Fannings get their name from the fans that were once used to sort them – before the age of machines, tea makers sorted the leaves by tossing them into the air from a large bamboo fan. The leaves that were light enough to blow off onto the floor were separated as fannings, and the ones large enough to fall back into the fan were reserved as the best tea. Fannings and dust are set aside for teabags and instant teas, the latter of which we do not make for what we hope are obvious reasons. You’ll find fannings in Harney teabags, but never dust.
Many people prefer teabags for their convenient size – and there’s nothing wrong with that! At Harney, we source only the finest teas, so if teabags are your jam, know that you are getting high-quality teas that will always deliver a great sip.
How to Brew Your Tea
No matter if you wonder how to brew loose leaf tea, or brew tea in sachets or teabags, we’ve got it all covered in our Making the Best Cup of Tea of Your Life. Ready to dive into brewing loose leaf teas? You can get started here, but if the choices are overwhelming, we might suggest some classics like Organic Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Chamomile, Japanese Sencha, Orange Pekoe, or Dragon Pearl Jasmine. Whichever tea you pick, enjoy exploring the tasty world of loose leaf teas!
]]>First, if you find yourself asking, “What is Galentine’s Day?” here’s a little history. It came from Season 2, Episode 16 of the series Parks and Recreation. The main character, Leslie Knope, gathers her gal pals around her every February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, to celebrate the awesomeness of women’s friendships. That fictional gathering in 2010 has since spawned an actual celebration marked by
thousands of women and their besties every year.
This year, we propose (no pun intended) that you host a Galentine’s Day Tea Party for you and the women in your life who are special to you. Gather up your favorite tea-time treats, like scones, dainty sandwiches, colorful macaroons, and of course chocolate, and put the kettle and some Queen Bee on – it’s Galentine’s Day time!
To make the tea choices extra fun, we’ve put together some teas under a few categories so you can make it a themed party as well. Happy Galentine’s Day!
Teas for Besties
There’s nothing like a bestie! A pairing so perfect, even if you haven’t seen each other for a long time, you slip right back into conversation and finish each other’s sentences in a heartbeat. These “bestie” teas have flavors that go together, like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong (for all those girls who love Grease!).
Blends Inspired by Women
Why not invite some girl teas to your Galentine’s Day Tea Party?
Floral Teas
Just because it’s Galentine’s Day and not Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you can’t flower it up!
Chocolate Teas
It’s Galentine’s Day. ‘nuf said.
Teas for Places You Wish You Were Spending Galentine’s Day
No matter your budget, you can take yourself and your posse to one of these great locations when you brew up these location-inspired blends.
Revenge Teas
For those former Valentines who did you wrong.
What Is Chai Tea?
What is “chai,” you ask? Well, the origins of it go back either thousands of years ago to a king in either India or Thailand. The king mixed together what are now known as chai spices as a healing Ayurvedic medicine. At the time, black tea was not part of the mixture.
Jump ahead to the mid-19th century when the British East India Company had begun smuggling tea plants out of China and creating tea plantations in their colony, India. While black tea began to be more available in India – even though India did have a native Assamica tea plant available for production – it was still quite expensive for the average citizen. To lessen the amount of tea needed per cup, they began adding chai spices and milk to it, making it a more affordable beverage. Also, the India Tea Company began promoting tea breaks for workers as a vehicle for selling more tea. Adding to tea’s rise in popularity was the fact that in the 1930s, there was an oversupply of Indian tea that the British tea companies began selling to the Indians.
The true game-changer for making chai wildly popular was the introduction of CTC teas, a much more efficient method of processing the black tea that results in a far more affordable tea. It became the perfect storm for making chai India’s national drink.
What Does Chai Mean?
The word “chai” is the Hindi word for “tea.” It was derived from “cha,” the Chinese word for “tea.” (See our Tea Etymology blog to discover how a tea’s geographical source location played into how the variations on the word “tea” evolved.) “Masala chai,” another phrase you’ll hear, means “spiced tea,” which is what “chai” has become synonymous with.
Chai recipes vary by region and personal preference. Traditionally, chai is a black tea mixed with strong spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and black peppercorns. When folks around these parts say “chai,” they are generally referring to what is known as “masala chai.” As you’ll have seen in our Tea Etymology post, to say “chai tea” literally translates to “tea tea.” It’s okay to be an American and say that here, but in other parts of the world, they might look at you a little funny.
Speaking of other parts of the world, in India, most citizens consume three to four cups of chai daily. Chaiwalas, or chaiwallahs, either spelling meaning “tea person,” are ubiquitous in India. They prepare, sell, and serve chai from corner stands and small shops. Chaiwalas and others generally prepare chai from scratch with fresh ingredients. Here in the U.S., we’re more likely to prepare chai with a premade blend of black tea and spices.
Harney offers several chai tea options:
How to Make Chai Tea
Whether you prepare it using loose leaf, sachets, or teabags, brewing chai is no different than brewing other teas unless you choose to make it with all fresh ingredients instead of using a tea with the spices already blended in (like we offer). You can use milk if you wish (your favorite kind will work just fine) and add the sweetener of your choice (or don’t!). Or you can use a combination of milk and water to steep your chai leaves. If you prefer an iced chai, steep your tea in hot water, but don’t heat the milk and pour it all over ice.
Chai Tea Recipes
In addition to simply enjoying wonderful chai on its own, with all its wonderful spices, chai is a natural for using in recipes. We’ve come up with a couple of new chai recipes for you to try and in case you missed them, you can also check out our Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte, Chai Tea Pumpkin Pie, and Pumpkin Chai Muffins recipes.
Ingredients:
Instructions
Download the recipe.
Equipment:
You’ll need a symmetrical-shaped 1 tablespoon capacity silicone mold.
Ingredients:
2 C chocolate candy melts
2 C hot chocolate mix
2 C mini marshmallows
2 C colored sprinkles
4 Chocolate Chai Supreme sachets
8 oz (1 C) water
½ C white chocolate candy melts
Instructions
Download the recipe.
]]>For those folks who are getting on the Dry January wagon, or for those who prefer mocktails to cocktails in general, we’ve put together a list of mocktail drinks incorporating that most wonderful ingredient of all: tea!
Simple Syrup Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
Instructions
Download the recipe.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Download the recipe.
“Limoncello” Simple Syrup Ingredients:
Ingredients
Instructions
*To make a larger batch, use our Organic Green With Citrus & Gingko Fresh Brew Iced Tea Pouches. Each pouch makes two quarts of iced tea, so you can increase the recipe to create as many Green Tea Mockaritas as you wish!
Download the recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
Download the recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
Download the recipe.
]]>If you’re one of those people who prefers to taste the tea as it is with no additional additives, like a traditional green tea, a black tea, or even a butterfly pea flower tea, then you’ll love the following list of some of the teas we carry that are not blended with additional ingredients at all – they’re simply tea. And while the tea itself may be simple, the flavor and experience are anything but.
Organic Rooibos. Rooibos is a South African herb with a host of beneficial properties along with a lovely red hue and delicious earthy flavor.
]]>Tea clubs are a great way to introduce your favorite teas to others and to, in turn, be introduced to teas you’ve never tried. We’ve put together some tips for starting a tea club to help make it easy for you to begin brewing up good times. Hopefully, you and some friends will be sipping and slurping your way to discovering some great teas to add to your pantry. Don’t forget to invite that “I only drink coffee” friend to come see what they’re missing out on!
First, Make a Plan
How is your tea club going to be structured? One thing you don’t want to do is make the tea in advance and let it get cold while everyone does the obligatory chit-chat. So set an arrival time, and then start the tasting after everyone shows up and has settled in.
In addition to tea, everyone loves snacks! We suggest having typical tea-time snacks like finger sandwiches, tea cookies, or scones and cream. If you want to tailor the foods toward the flavor profile of the tea being served that evening, even better. Maybe a little sushi and Japanese Sencha? Mini sausages and English Breakfast? Why not!
To help structure the tasting, we suggest having small individual notebooks where everyone can keep their notes on the tea or teas tasted at each gathering. A great guide for this is what we call Mike’s Ratings on harney.com. My dad, Mike Harney, rates each tea in the following categories on a 0-5 scale, with 0 being the lowest and 5 the highest:
While it may take some time and several tastings to get a feel for briskness, body, and aroma, you can certainly make note of whether you enjoyed the tea and why or why not. Have everyone jot down their thoughts and then take time to share them with each other. We’ve made it super easy for your tea club to make notes with our Tea Club Journal – just download, print and voila! (We also made a downloadable Tea Club Run of Show to make the experience as smooth as a cuppa Earl Grey Supreme!)
To help you get the most out of your tea tasting, there’s a method that professionals like us at Harney use to get the full range of flavors and aroma. More on that later in the last of our upcoming “Three Ts of Tea Tasting Tips!”
Tip 1: Tools
It will help if you have the proper tools to prepare your tea. They’re fairly basic, but necessary.
Find tips for brewing the perfect pot of tea on our Tea 101 page.
You’ll want a set of teacups or mugs washed and ready, of course, along with spoons, creamer/milk/milk alternatives, and sweeteners. We recommend, however, that everyone try the tea without additives for tasting; if folks prefer adding something after they’ve had their initial tasting, let ‘em have at it!
Tip 2: Teas
Just like you make book selections ahead of time, it’s good to plan out which teas you’d like to try at each tea club gathering. You can, of course, let everyone select the teas they’d like to try each month and have it be totally random, but if you’d like some theme ideas, we have the following suggestions.
Okay, one last idea: simplify the choice by using the tea from our Monthly Tea Spotlight. Every month, we shine a light on one or two of our teas, so we’ve done the choosing for you!
Tip 3: Tasting
There is a proper way to taste tea that will add an element of fun to your tea club. Do not rule out giggling as well as possible filming and social media posting. That said, to get the most out of your tea-tasting experience, I am proud to personally demonstrate how to sip, inhale, swish, and slurp your way to the best practice to enjoying tea in our Proper Way to Taste Tea blog. You’ll get a lot of other great tips on how to taste tea in that article as well.
I hope you are inspired by these tips and ideas to start your own tea club! Need more inspo? How about this – the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party is this year. While we certainly don’t want to encourage that type of tea-throwing-into-the-harbor activity, it could be just the “oh what the heck, let’s start a tea club” push you need to get started. Finally, if you already are in a tea club, let us know if there are other inspirations or experiences you have to share.
]]>Last year, we wrote a blog covering the history and unique aspects of Chinese New Year, which we invite you to read again (or for the first time) to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the symbolism of this celebration. In it, we talk about interesting facts like why the color red plays such an important role, what foods are typically part of the festivities, and why cleaning your house is a crucial part of the preparations. It has more to do with getting rid of ill will and making room for good luck than it does with impressing the in-laws.
The flavors of our Lunar New Year tea don’t change from year to year as it’s based on the profile of Nian Gao, a Chinese New Year cake made of rice flour, brown sugar, coconut milk, and other ingredients to create a caramel-like sweetness. So we have also made our 2024 Lunar New Year tea with toasted rice, coconut pieces, sesame seeds, coconut flavor, and caramel flavor as a nod to Nian Gao. We left out the gooeyness but kept all the taste!
As for the 2024 Lunar New Year animal, the dragon – specifically the wood dragon in 2024 – is regarded differently in Chinese culture than in other cultures, where a dragon represents evil and destruction. In Chinese culture, a dragon represents wisdom, authority, good luck, strength, and health. It is believed to shower rain, good luck, and prosperity. The wood dragon combines those beneficial characteristics with nurturing wood elements, a combination expected to bring growth, progress, and abundance.
The dragon is unique because it is the only mythical creature of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac and the most popular. More babies are born in the Year of the Dragon than in any other year as parents plan to have children during that time period. Those born during the Year of the Dragon are thought to be good leaders and very fortunate in life.
In homage to the Year of the Wood Dragon, we wanted to focus on one of our many Chinese teas, Dragon Pearl Jasmine. We’ve done a deep dive before into the fascinating and intricate process used to create jasmine tea, but we thought it would be fun to explore why it has this intriguing moniker in the first place.
There’s a Chinese legend that goes back hundreds of years about how this tea got its name. While the details in versions vary, the main story remains intact. It goes like this:
One winter, a young boy in a small village near Fuzhou, Fujian (Fujian is most closely associated with jasmine tea, and it’s where we source ours) became very ill. He lived with his sister; their parents had died, and they were very poor. No doctor or treatment could help the boy get better.
The sister had been told about a mystical dragon who helped people in need, and she decided to search for the dragon. After walking through the mountains for some time, she found a cave surrounded by jasmine bushes. Inside the cave was the dragon. The girl told the dragon about her brother and asked for help.
In response, the dragon flew into the sky, and a beautiful pearl appeared on his neck. A tiny drop of water fell from the pearl onto the ground, and a tea bush sprouted and started growing instantaneously. The dragon told the girl to take care of the bush no matter what, and it would save her brother’s life. Soon, it began to pour rain, but the girl steadfastly stayed by the bush’s side. Soon, small leaves began to grow on the bush; the girl picked them and dried them next to jasmine flowers. She then made delicate beads, like the one that had been on the neck of the dragon.
When she got home, the sister brewed tea from the balled-up leaves, filling their home with the smell of jasmine. Her brother then drank the tea and miraculously recovered.
This story has been passed down from generation to generation in Chinese families. And while it’s a legend, anyone who has had Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea knows it to be something of a magical experience as well as a potentially effective herbal remedy for many ailments. If nothing else, it makes an excellent story for your Year of the Wood Dragon party!
]]>Q: So, this year was Harney & Sons Fine Teas 40th anniversary. Tell us how your dad got started in the tea business.
MH: John Harney was managing a country inn in Salisbury, CT: The White Hart Inn. There was an old British tea man who lived in the area, and he talked my father into offering loose teas in the restaurant. John learned much about tea from that tea man, Stanley Mason. Several years later, John went on his own and started Harney & Sons Fine Teas.
Q: Why did your dad choose to name the company Harney & Sons Fine Teas rather than just Harney Fine Teas? Did he have any idea that two of his sons, and then two grandsons, would end up being part of the family business? Or was it just wishful thinking?
MH: I think it was wishful thinking on his part. I was running a hotel in Chicago 40 years ago and had no children. Paul was in high school.
PH: Dad was an optimist by nature. And it’s got a better ring to it! Harney Tea might not be so exciting…Harney & Sons kinda rolls off the tongue!
Q: What were the first teas Harney carried? Where did John source them?
MH: There were just six teas that Stanley had helped John source: Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Formosa Oolong, Gunpowder, and Irish Breakfast. Stanley introduced John to an American tea supplier: Bill McMelville of Foremost Friedman. We still have his tasting table in the front of the factory.
Q: How quickly did the company grow? Was there one big event or decision that caused the company to go from being run out of your family’s basement to a larger business with employees, a warehouse, etc.?
MH: Paul, when you were first working for Dad, did he pay you?
PH: No, he didn’t pay me.
MH: He didn’t pay me for the first year, either! There wasn’t a lot of business in the early days.
PH: No, there wasn’t a lot of business in the early days, and it was a long, slow climb out.
MH: When I joined in 1988, they were still working out of the garage of the family house. Quickly, we moved to the current house my mom still lives in. We continued to grow, so we thought of expanding on that land. Luckily, the local authorities did not allow it. So we moved to a series of garages in nearby Lakeville. When we outgrew that, we bought a neighboring house. That is where the first retail shop was launched.
Williams Sonoma and the Ritz-Carlton hotels kept giving us more business. So we decided to move to a larger space in Millerton, NY, just five minutes away. Barnes & Noble bookstores switched to us, so we needed more and more space – we bought the current headquarters in 2003. Originally we only filled half of the building and just used the empty space as a skateboard area!
We had the opportunity to buy the building that is the current tea shop about 14 years ago, and Brigitte made that into a delightful and elegant store. Then Emeric developed the SoHo store on Broome Street about 12 years ago. I felt that we needed a NYC presence, a flagship store.
Paul had long thought that ready-to-drink tea in bottles was a great opportunity; he had seen the success of Honest Tea and thought he could do better. So, eight years ago, we bought a place up in Hudson, NY (about 45 minutes away). Paul installed the complex bottling machinery (learning all the way), and now that is a success.
PH: A friend told us about the opportunity of industrial hemp. It was newly legalized, and there was “money in dem hills.” So we started The Hemp Division about five years ago, growing our own hemp and creating all-natural, from-the-roots-up CBD products. We are still looking for the gold, but it has been a lot of fun.
MH: We have close to 300 employees. Many have worked more than 15 years at Harney & Sons. We have seen them as they go through their lives and are happy that we can help them. Of course, they help us and you!
Our future looks bright, even as the tea business gets to be difficult for many of the actors.
Q: What was the first tea that your dad blended? What was the first tea each of you blended?
MH: I would have to say that Palm Court is the first tea that my dad blended. That was for the Plaza Hotel almost 40 years ago. Do you remember what your first tea was, Paul?
PH: Supreme Breakfast was the first tea I think I blended. What about you, Mike?
MH: Unfortunately, I can not remember my first tea. But I’m a lot older than you, and I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years.
Q: How many teas does Harney carry now?
MH: We used to say that we offered 300 teas, but I think a more accurate estimate would be 500 teas. So many!
PH: We can’t seem to kill a tea! The list does not shrink.
MH: Everybody has something they like.
Q: What are the pros and cons of running a family business and working with a sibling, wife, and sons/nephews?
MH: Well, working with family can be challenging, but it has been rewarding. Everyone has a different take on life and business. That allows us to offer many options to our customers, so someone might like what teas I create and source, and someone else might like what Emeric brings in. All of us are bound by the same core principles of great teas, pleasant packaging, and hospitable service. Of course, sometimes we grate on each other, but that does not happen that often.
PH: It’s a lot of fun to have a family business. I’d recommend it highly to anyone who has a family and a business idea!
Q: What legacy did John pass on to you and Paul? Is there a strong stamp of your dad’s entrepreneurial spirit or personality that has shaped the company?
MH: Dad said that he wanted to make tea an everyday luxury. And that any tea company could buy great-tasting teas, they just don’t. Also, persistence is a great virtue. And to treat employees like they were family. So, that is what our core values are.
PH: I have a letter to Dad in my office from a guy he kept calling at St. Paul Hotel, Minnesota. He wrote, “Thank you for all your persistence.” Pops did not ever give up, he was a bulldog. I think that’s something that we learned from both our parents. Persistence is something that you’re certainly going to need if you’re going to have an entrepreneurial business.
MH: And you have to treat the employees like family.
PH: Absolutely.
Q: What legacy would you like to pass on to your sons and the company?
MH: I would say I will pass on down what my dad did for me. It seems to me that it will allow them to adjust to changing times.
Q: What would surprise your dad the most about Harney & Sons Fine Teas today?
MH: I think he would be happily surprised by how busy we are and how big we are; the company is more than double the size than when he left us. He would be happy to see some of the same smiling faces.
PH: Absolutely, he loved all the employees and would love to see a lot of them are still around. I think he had a great belief in the business so he probably wouldn’t be surprised, but he would be happy to see that we’ve kept going in the direction that he set off in.
MH: We do keep his office open in case he wants to come back.
Q: What makes Harney different from the competition? Why should someone feel good about choosing Harney teas?
MH: Like my dad said: We buy good tea – no one else does. Treat customers with respect. Buy teas that make you smile. Those are a few of the reasons we continue to grow.
PH: We put our heart and soul into buying teas that make you smile.
Q: What does the future hold for Harney? What would you like to see stay the same, and what would you like to see be different? Or think will be different?
MH: We plan to keep mostly in the tea business. Of course, there will be a few non-tea ventures, but we love tea. There are still many people who have not chosen Harney & Sons, so opportunity is everywhere. The past has been fun, and we are surprised at our successes. We humbly will work to make the future even brighter.
PH: It’s a mine that’s still out there, and we’ve got some untapped veins that we don’t even know where they are yet. It’s hard to see, hard to predict. But we’re excited to find out and keep rolling.
We’ll keep making teas that make you smile as long as you keep drinking them! Thank you for your support, whether you’re new to our teas or have been around as long as we have. Cheers!
If you’d like to see Mike & Paul’s video version of this dive into the 40th anniversary of Harney & Sons, scroll to the bottom of this blog (stopping to see the great pics, of course!) to watch their conversation.
Family
When it comes to gift ideas for families, we think the perfect gift is a tea chest that can be passed down to future generations, along with the memories of selecting teas from the chests and sharing them together.
Neighbor
Neighbors are a lot like family – while we don’t get to pick them, we still have to live with them! Whether your neighbors have become your indispensable best friends or you’re still struggling to make that connection, these neighbor gift ideas will tell them they’re lucky to have you next door!
Coworker
Gift ideas for coworkers can be some of the most challenging and also some of the most fun! Delight those folks you spend a lot of time around with one of these gifts for tea drinkers.
Teacher
Teachers give so much of themselves beyond the classroom. Show your appreciation for their dedication with a thoughtful present. Find even more gift ideas for teachers on our Teacher’s Gifts page.
Tea Lover
Tea lover gift ideas are our specialty! While we have over 300 varieties of teas as well as wonderful tea wares, here are four sure-to-please-tea-lovers suggestions.
New to Tea
“I don’t like tea, I’m a coffee person.” How many times have you heard that? And while it just may be the plain truth – we all have our preferences, of course – it could be that they just haven’t tried really good tea. Broaden their horizons (and maybe change their life) with these great starter gifts.
Matcha Lover
You know who they are. Give them what they want.
Gadget Geek
Who says tea’s just a boring kettle on a stove and a mug? Make a tea lovin’ gadget geek’s day with these fun tea toys!
Disney Fan
Yep, there’s even Disney gift ideas on our list! Disney meets tea in our collaboration with Mickey Mouse’s company – are you all ears?
Art Lover
For those who appreciate fine art, we have teas for that! Enjoy these art lover gift ideas.
Wellness Enthusiast
Whether they simply must buy organic, drink healthy smoothies, or are just always mindful of being their best selves, your wellness folks will embrace these gift ideas.
CBD Craver
For the swears-by CBD fan on your list, we’ve got you covered there too. Here are some CBD gift ideas they’ll love.
Hard-to-Please
There’s one (or more) on every list. That’s why we made Harney & Sons Gift Cards. Maybe not as fun as shopping yourself, but a sure way to have a win-win for everyone!
We hope this guide has helped make your holiday shopping a bit easier and maybe even a bit more creative. Happy holidays!
]]>The characteristic flavor of vanilla comes from the compound vanillin, which is described as tasting like a marshmallow – up to 85% of vanilla essential oil is vanillin. As anyone who has ever baked a cookie from scratch knows, vanilla is commonly sold in liquid extract form. If you want to go next-level with your vanilla, you can buy vanilla pods and scrape the vanilla seeds right out of the bean. When you eat really amazing vanilla ice cream and see tiny black flecks? Those are vanilla seeds – not something the food inspector missed.
What Is Vanilla and Where Does It Come From?
Vanilla grows on vines that climb trees and shrubs in tropical forests. It’s part of the Vanilla species, which is a member of the orchid family. The vines usually take three to four years to flower, and then only flower once a year. After the flowers are pollinated, they develop for eight to 10 months into long pods resembling string beans, which is how the name “vanilla bean” came into being! As we mentioned earlier, the pods contain thousands of tiny seeds that are responsible for the main flavors of vanilla.
Harvesting vanilla is not a simple process, because the fresh vanilla beans haven’t developed much flavor – that occurs during a three-to-six month curing process. Between the curing and the manual pollination processes, vanilla is one of the most expensive spices – now you know why that tiny bottle of vanilla extract costs so much!
Vanilla originated in southern Mexico. For hundreds of years, Mexico was the only vanilla exporter, because only insects native to Mexico could pollinate the plant. In the 1830s, however, Europeans discovered a method to hand-pollinate vanilla, and by the 1870s, the French island colonies of Madagascar and Bourbon (now called Reunion Island) became the major world producers. Even now, vanilla produced in this region is often called “Bourbon vanilla.” Today, Madagascar is the major producer of vanilla, followed by Indonesia with Mexico (a distant third) as well as a smattering of other countries producing minor amounts.
Fun vanilla fact: if you ask people what color vanilla is, it’s not unusual for people to say “white.” It could be because vanilla ice cream is white, vanilla cupcakes are white, vanilla icing is white, etc. In truth, vanilla seeds are very dark brown/black (remember the flecks in your vanilla ice cream?). Because vanilla is a very strong flavor, you only need a little, which means the color is diluted.
Ready to Explore Vanilla Teas?
Vanilla is a wonderful addition to many different types of teas. Whether it’s taking center stage in our best-selling Decaf Vanilla Comoro or playing an important supporting role in our popular Paris tea, vanilla is an ingredient we couldn’t imagine living without. Here are some Harney & Sons teas that use vanilla to great effect (which means they taste amazing!).
Kava, also known as kava kava and used in kava tea, is an herbal remedy made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant found in the Pacific Islands. It has been used as a ceremonial drink for hundreds of years. Kava is known for its relaxing qualities, with some people reporting that its effects are similar to alcohol. The meaning of its name, translated to English, is “intoxicating pepper,” so there may be some truth in how it makes some people feel when taken in large quantities.
What Is Kava Used For?
If you aren’t in the habit of holding ceremonies for dignitaries, you can still incorporate kava into your life! The kava kava root used in our kava tea is said to elevate your mood, support feelings of well-being and contentment, and produce an overall sensation of relaxation. The findings from several studies indicate that kava may be helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, stress, and providing pain relief. Drinking kava tea can be beneficial in alleviating these feelings and helping you relax.
What Does Kava Do?
The root of the kava plant contains nutrients and organic compounds, including chemicals known as kavalactones. Just like tea plants, the compounds in kava plants are affected by their growing conditions, and different varieties of the kava plant can have varying effects on the strength of the kavalactones.
Kava is a central nervous system depressant. While there is no alcohol in kava, it can mimic symptoms of intoxication when taken in large quantities, so the answer to the question “Does kava give you a buzz?” could be “yes” for some. The effects are dependent on the strength of the kava mixture, as well as an individual’s body size, general health, strength, amount taken, and if you are taking other drugs. You should never drink alcohol while taking kava. Before drinking kava regularly, check with your physician, especially if you have any health conditions. Kava is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Do I Prepare Kava?
Traditionally, the roots were either chewed into a pulp or ground into a powder and added to cold water. Sometimes, compared to the social equivalent of wine in France, kava was served up to guests and people of importance who visited Pacific Islands like Fiji and Tonga.
At Harney & Sons, we make enjoying kava much easier than chewing or grinding your own kava roots! We offer three different types of kava and kava tea:
Kava Root. This is kava root in convenient ground powdered form. Simply add to hot water and enjoy the relaxing benefits. My uncle Paul enjoys this regularly and says he’s a better man for it! If you’re wondering what straight kava tastes like, it is often described as earthy, spicy, and a bit bitter. Quite frankly, kava on its own isn’t enjoyed for its taste but for its effects.
Turmeric Spice With Kava. This powerhouse tea has both relaxing and anti-inflammatory benefits, the former from kava and the latter from turmeric. The benefits of turmeric are enhanced when taken with black pepper, which is also included in this spicy black tea flavored with cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves.
Holiday Kava CBD. Made by our sister company, The Hemp Division, this flavorful black tea with kava, CBD made from all-natural hemp grown on our farm, and flavored with orange, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and safflower will have you chillin’ during holiday mania.
Is Kava Tea Safe to Drink?
While we are not qualified to make that specific determination for every person, when taken in small doses, kava is proven to help create feelings of relaxation with no negative side effects. When taken in large doses over a long period of time, some people have experienced mild side effects such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, and depression, and some studies have shown it may cause issues with the liver. If you have any concerns, talk with your physician. But as with all things, taken in moderation, kava can help lessen anxiety and stress, something we can all use from time to time!
]]>While pregnant women should closely monitor their caffeine intake, nearly all the teas we have listed below are caffeine-free, making them an even better choice for those pregnant ladies who are craving their daily cups of tea! As with anything, enjoy in moderation, especially while pregnant, and always consult with your doctor.
Ginger Teas
Ginger is one of pregnancy’s best friends! Well known for its anti-nausea properties, a cup of ginger tea can help ease morning sickness or that sudden aversion to whatever it is your co-worker brought for lunch. Try keeping one or more of these naturally caffeine-free ginger teas near you, and open tin in case of emergency! The ginger powder is especially great for adding to any of your favorite decaffeinated hot teas for an anti-nausea boost.
Peppermint Teas
Since tummies can get upset a little more often than usual during pregnancy, peppermint tea can be another digestive aid for the mother-to-be. Like ginger teas, peppermint teas are widely used during pregnancy not only for their ability to soothe an upset stomach, but because herbal teas are totally caffeine-free. The only exception to that in our list below is the green tea, which contains caffeine, so consume only if your physician has indicated you can have caffeine in moderation.
Chamomile Teas
Chamomile is like the lullaby of teas. Soothing, calming, and great before bed. Let’s face it, those nights before your baby is born may be the last chance you get for a full night’s sleep for a long, long time! So make the best of getting your zzz’s with a relaxing cup of chamomile.
Raspberry Teas
Raspberry leaf teas during pregnancy are a popular notion, as it is thought that raspberry leaves may help shorten labor by toning uterine muscles and promoting more efficient contractions. Experts say that drinking red raspberry leaf teas during the latter part of pregnancy may be beneficial, but again, please consult your physician. We can’t even come close to promising that these herbal teas will make your labor shorter, but we can promise they’re delicious… and that’s worth something!
Rooibos Teas
When it comes to tea drinking during pregnancy, rooibos tea has got it goin’ on. This naturally caffeine-free herb is well known for its beneficial properties, such as being rich in antioxidants. But for pregnant women, it also contains several minerals that are important for pregnancy, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. It has calming properties that can help reduce stress and improve sleep. Finally, rooibos tea is full of flavonoids, compounds that have been shown to stimulate milk production in lactating moms. It’s a great alternative to caffeinated teas and is full of deep, rich flavors. And finally, for those die-hard fans of best-selling Hot Cinnamon Spice and Paris, they come in a rooibos blend, too!
We hope some of these teas bring you enjoyment and a little relief during those more difficult times of pregnancy. Congrats, enjoy, and remember, our little Harney tea bundles of joy are always delivered to your home with free shipping!
]]>First, “matcha” in Japanese consists of two words. “Ma” means grinding, and “cha” means tea, so together they mean “ground tea.” The tea plants used to make matcha are shaded with dark black cloths, traditionally with straw, when flushing in early spring. After two to five weeks, the tea leaves become darker and richer with amino acids and are finally harvested by farmers. The harvested leaves are steamed right away to stop the oxidization, and they are then dried in a heated oven. This rough, dried tea leaf is called “aracha.” These teas are taken auction or to the tea factories where, after stems and other byproducts are taken away, we are left with “tencha”. Then, tencha leaves are ground into matcha with a particle size of 10 microns.
Now that the tencha has been ground into matcha, it has to be graded. The different grades of matcha are determined by a few different factors. Tea tasters and purchasers take into consideration how young the tea leaves are, how soft the tea leaves are, how fragrant the tea leaves are, and finally, how much umami the tea leaves have. (“Umami” is often called the fifth sense of taste. In Japanese, “umami” means “essence of deliciousness.”) Early in the season, tea leaves tend to have higher quality, but this judgment is made by experienced tasters/buyers only. Much of this is subjective, however, so there is not a true grading system, unlike other Japanese products like Wagyu beef.
Thin Grade Matcha
The most important thing to understand about our use of the terms thin/thick/extra thick grade is that it simply refers to how you could prepare your tea into liquid. Only very high-grade tea is appropriate to make into thick tea; otherwise, the tea is too bitter and cannot be drunk.
So, thin grade means the tea is appropriate to make into thin liquid; however, this does not necessarily mean the tea is lower in quality. Our Matcha Jobetsugi is classified as thin grade. As Jobetsugi is harvested later in May, it may taste slightly lighter. It has some umami, less astringency, and a very refreshing taste. In Japan, thin tea is called “usucha.”
Thin grade matcha is great for drinking, just mixed with water. Of course, you can use it with smoothies, lattes, cold brew, and as part of a pre-workout drink.
Our Organic Matcha falls into the thin grade matcha category as well. Organic Everyday is made with ingredients harvested during summertime; thus, it is rich in catechins and has a refreshing taste. In Harney’s matcha selections, this tea is harvested last in the season.
Thick Grade Matcha
Contrary to thin grade, thick grade means the tea has the quality appropriate to make into thick tea (less water per gram of tea used). The tea is full of umami/amino acids, so you can drink in thick liquid and enjoy the full umami experience. A cup of thick tea can sometimes be as little as two ounces and is a bold, memorable experience. Our thick grade is Matcha Senjunomukashi. The Japanese term for thick tea is “koicha.”
Wondering how to best use thick grade matcha? When tea ceremony masters make thick tea in a tea ceremony, they make it into an almost paste-like liquid. However, this is not realistic in everyday life, so we recommend using an extra scoop of matcha or less water than your usual preparations so that you can enjoy the extra rich umami of the tea.
Extra Thick Grade Matcha
Matcha Unjonotomo is our extra thick grade matcha. Unjonotomo has the top quality found in limited supply, with very rich amino acid umami along with delicate flavor. At Harney, we call this special quality appropriate for very special tea ceremonies as it is good for preparation into “extra thick” tea. There is no Japanese term for this grade of matcha – it’s a grading term we use to delineate amino acid and sweetness levels.
This tea has strong umami, but it is very delicate and sensitive. Try to use less water and an extra scoop of tea to make it into a thick, high concentration so that you can enjoy its delicate flavor.
Ceremonial Grade Matcha
The term “ceremonial grade matcha” gets thrown around a lot. Let’s talk about what it really means—first, a little history.
Matcha has a long history along with the history of Chano-Yu, Chado, Sado, or The Way of tea. The tea ceremony is held according to the traditional manners, even though details differ slightly in the different schools of Chado, where the organizer/host welcomes the guests following the manner, and the guests enjoy the ceremony following those basic manners of Chado. There are also many schools of tea using Sencha and Gyokuro. We discuss here about the Chado using Matcha.
At a very formal tea ceremony, they offer a bowl of thick tea (koicha), and guests share a cup, sip by sip, even though the COVID pandemic is changing this manner. At most other ceremonies, a bowl of thin tea (usucha) is offered. “Ceremonial tea” actually does not explicitly indicate anything other than simply “tea used for tea ceremony,” and many brands use this term to indicate the tea has good quality. However, a caveat for the purchaser is that there is no grading process that companies must adhere to in order to call their product ceremonial. So, if you buy “ceremonial grade” matcha thinking it’s the best matcha on the market, just know that the terminology is not indicative of quality.
Matcha Miscellaneous
Some other helpful information you should know about this wonderful powdered green tea.
The best way to know you’re buying quality matcha is to look at it. It should be bright green in color, and when you slide it between your fingers, it should be very smooth as the particle is under 10 microns. The other best way to know you’re buying quality matcha is to buy it from Harney & Sons, as we only source the finest quality matcha available from a family producing matcha for nearly 400 years!
]]>If you’re wondering exactly what decaffeinated means versus caffeine-free or herbal teas, we’re here to make all those terms crystal clear as well (hopefully as crystal clear as the water you use to brew your tea!).
What Does Decaffeinated Mean?
All teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant contain natural levels of caffeine (and all black, green, white, and oolong teas come from the Camellia sinensis mother plant). Caffeine is one of many self-defense chemicals a tea uses to keep bad things at bay while the plant grows. We use caffeine to repel sleep; a tea plant uses it to repel bugs.
Decaffeinated tea is tea that was naturally caffeinated until put through a process to remove the chemical that helps wake you up. Some of our most popular decaf black teas include Vanilla Comoro, Decaf Earl Grey, Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice, Decaf Paris, and Decaf Darjeeling. Caffeine-free "teas" are not teas at all but blends of herbs, flowers, spices, and dried fruit – herbal teas. Our popular decaf chai tea, Organic Rooibos Chai, falls into this category. When there is only a single ingredient, such as our Chamomile or Peppermint Herbal, these are referred to as pure tisanes.
So, when it comes to taking tea with caffeine and making it decaffeinated, there are two ways to extract all or almost all the caffeine. Here are the decaffeinated tea processes we use at Harney to make sure you have all the quality and flavor you want without the caffeine.
The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Tea Decaffeination Method
The carbon dioxide (CO2) tea decaffeination method is how we decaffeinate our loose teas. Choosing to use this process ensures that we don’t lose the flavors and health benefits you love in our caffeinated teas. When put through this process, our tea leaves are placed with naturally occurring gas, CO2, at a high pressure and high temperature. The carbon dioxide reaches a “supercritical state” where CO2 becomes almost a liquid solvent, and it attracts the caffeine molecules and removes them from the tea. Since flavor molecules are larger than caffeine molecules, they remain intact, and the flavor of tea remains the same.
The Ethyl Acetate Decaffeination Method
The second method we use is ethyl acetate. This method is used to decaffeinate the tea found in our teabags. During this process, the molecules of caffeine bond to the molecules of ethyl acetate and are removed. Our customers prefer this method for our teabags.
Other Decaffeination Methods
There are two other decaffeination methods used for hard coffee beans, but these methods do not work for fragile tea leaves - the water processing decaffeination method, also known as the Swiss water method, and the methylene chloride decaffeination method.
A final DIY method that we do not recommend is double-steeping your tea. Many tea lovers believe that if they steep their favorite caffeinated tea, dump the water, then steep again it will decrease the amount of caffeine in the cup. Unfortunately, this is a bit of an old wives’ tale. Studies show that tea keeps giving off caffeine for about eight minutes. This method is not recommended as it dilutes the flavor of your tea.
What About Decaffeinated Green Tea?
Many people assume that because green tea is so healthy, it is caffeine-free. Actually, green tea, in general, has more caffeine than black or oolong tea. This doesn’t diminish the many health benefits of green tea, it simply means that if you need to watch your caffeine levels, you should drink your green tea in lovely moderation.
Currently, we do not carry any decaffeinated green tea or decaf matcha options, but in addition to the many caffeine-free herbal options with healthful benefits, with rooibos teas being a leading example, many best-selling customer favorites come in decaf form, such as Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice, Decaf Earl Grey, Decaf Paris, Decaf Darjeeling, and many more.
No matter your reason for drinking caffeine-free tea, whether it’s doctor’s orders or wanting a good night’s sleep, you can find a decaffeinated tea you’ll love at Harney & Sons.
]]>In honor of Mad Hatter Day, our new Wonderland blends, and all things tea party, we thought we’d update our Mad Hatter blog from 2020! Below, you can read about the history of this spirited, fun-loving national day, glean some Mad Hatter trivia, check out our Disney’s Alice in Wonderland tea pairings, and get ideas for throwing a “mad” tea party! Enjoy!
The Mad Hatter is, of course, one of the main characters from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Disney’s classic Alice in Wonderland movie. The Hatter is a whimsical character drawn by the book’s illustrator, Sir John Tenniel, as wearing a tall top hat with “10/6” written on it, which refers to the cost of a hat in those days-- 10 shilling and 6 pence. Thus, 10/6 is the perfect day to celebrate National Mad Hatter Day.
You can understand why we are all for never-ending tea parties, of course. National Mad Hatter Day is generally celebrated by the wearing of outrageous hats, throwing fun, Alice-themed tea parties, and just general madcap silliness! If you haven’t any idea why a raven is like a writing desk, enjoy saying things that are vexing and maddening to your guests, wish with all your heart to wear outlandish headgear, and can’t get enough of tea, we invite you to celebrate National Mad Hatter day with us.
For starters, we’ve put together a pairing of our existing Harney teas with some of the main Disney’s Alice in Wonderland characters:
With your Alice in Wonderland-themed teas in hand, throw together a tea party that is festive and anything but refined. While all that is mentioned about the Mad Hatter’s tea party is tea and bread and butter (along with no wine, even though it was offered), here are some ideas inspired by the story and its characters:
Whatever you drink or eat or wear, raise a cup to a reason to be silly and childlike again! Happy National Mad Hatter Day!
]]>Let’s look at which teas are good for digestion so the next time you have a troublesome tummy; you’ll know what teas to reach for to ease the pain.
1. Peppermint
Used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years, peppermint is well known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach and improve digestion. Even people with issues like IBS can find symptom relief by ingesting peppermint, thanks to menthol, a compound in peppermint that improves digestive problems. If your stomach issues are caused by stress, there’s something about a cup of peppermint tea that is calming, helping reduce anxiety and the physical ailments that can come along with it. Peppermint tea is one of the best teas for digestion.
Some peppermint teas:
2. Ginger
A true superpower in the world of herbal and Ayurvedic medicine, ginger’s weapon against digestive issues is its anti-inflammatory properties. A cup of ginger tea is many a pregnant woman’s go-to for nausea and morning sickness, and it’s a friend to those who suffer from motion sickness as well.
Some ginger teas:
3. Chamomile
From helping you relax and sleep to helping calm a churning, burning stomach, chamomile is well known for its beneficial properties to both your physical and mental well-being.
Some chamomile teas:
4. Cinnamon
In addition to its well-known anti-inflammatory properties and helping control blood sugar by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, cinnamon can increase the secretion of digestive fluids. This process helps your body digest food, and the better your body digests food, the less chance you will experience gas and bloating (yes, those topics again!).
Some cinnamon teas:
5. Rooibos
Rooibos, an herb native to South Africa, contains antispasmodic properties that can aid in digestion and provide relief for stomach cramps and abdominal pain. It can also help with symptoms of IBS.
Some rooibos teas:
6. Lemon
It is said that the sour element in lemon is said to stir up your “agni,” which in Samskrita means “fire.” In Ayurvedic medicine, “agni” is the entity that is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in humans. In other words, lemon is the trigger for setting good things in motion! In addition to helping to keep you moving, you’ll boost your vitamin C levels with more lemon in your diet.
Some lemon teas:
7. Licorice Root
One of the variety of health benefits that licorice root is known for is promoting digestive health and easing the symptoms of digestive problems. Another good reason to drink it after dinner? Its sweet taste. We offer a Ginger Liquorice tea that has the one-two digestive punch of licorice root and ginger.
8. Pu-erh
The fermentation process that makes pu-erh a unique tea also imparts it with antimicrobial properties, which act much like yogurt cultures, serving as a probiotic to enhance digestive health. It’s a great idea to drink Pu-erh teas after having especially rich or fatty foods to help improve digestion.
Some Pu-erh teas:
9. Dandelion
That’s right. That “weed” growing in your yard is one of the most insanely nutritious plants around, on par with kale and spinach for nutrition density. Dandelions are packed with a host of minerals and vitamins, and all parts of a dandelion are edible. Just make sure to source your dandelions from areas that have not been treated with chemicals. This little yellow flower that could has been used for centuries in herbal medicine to improve digestion, fight colds and improve health in general. Next time you get out your weed whacker, think twice about how you treat those dandelions!
You can steep dandelions in hot water and strain to make a straight-up dandelion tea. Or, for more flavor, you can steep them in other teas that also have digestive benefits. In addition to the ones listed above, studies have shown that oolong teas aid in digestion. Green teas, already superstars in the health benefits category, can also help soothe a tummy ache. And finally, good ol’ black teas, which contain thearubigins and theaflavins – both of which act as antioxidants – provide additional digestive benefits such as helping prevent bloating, upset stomachs and could provide some protection against stomach ulcers.
]]>There are several types of sinus soother teas that can help tame the effects of ragweed and other allergens that have your sinuses on the fritz. Many of them have other properties that can also help soothe a sore throat, aid in getting a better night’s rest, and just boost your overall health. Let’s take a look at the winners of the Teas Most Likely to Provide Sinus Relief!
1. Ginger Teas
While it may be best known for its wonderful anti-nausea abilities, ginger tea is also an excellent anti-inflammatory, which is what makes it a perfect antidote to aid in reducing sinus congestion. It also helps thin mucus, which allows you to expel it from your body and breathe easier. Ginger tea has been known to come to the rescue of sinus headaches and is just generally your sinus’ BFF tea.
Some ginger teas we suggest you try when sinus congestion comes a knockin’:
2. Peppermint
Remember when your mom would rub Vick’s Vapo Rub into your chest when you had a cold so you could breathe? That’s menthol working its magic, and that’s the ingredient in peppermint that helps open those nasal passages and relieve congestion. Peppermint does many wonderful things, like soothe a sore throat, and it has a natural calming ability that comes in handy under any circumstance.
Some peppermint teas to keep on hand for allergy season:
3. Chamomile
You already know that chamomile can help you get a good night’s sleep, but if your sinuses are congested, sleeping becomes more difficult. Fortunately, chamomile can help there too! It contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help open those nasal passages so you can breathe. Chamomile can also help relax your muscles as well as help with sinus headaches.
In addition to the teas listed above that contain chamomile, here are a few more sinus-sipping options:
4. Turmeric
Another major anti-inflammatory spice, turmeric has been proven to be an all-natural aid for all kinds of wellness issues. If you’re not a fan of the flavor, doctor it up with some honey (which is also soothing on a throat that is suffering from post-nasal drip).
While we’ve included teas with turmeric here and there in the lists above, here are a few more golden options:
5. Green Tea
What can’t green tea do? So far, it can’t create world peace or solve climate change, but it can do a lot to change your world. The Chinese knew long before we did that green tea is good for your health. When it comes to sinus relief, it can help reduce inflammation so those sinus cavities can stand down and be at ease.
When it comes to green teas, the options are too long to list individually. So, we invite you to choose your favorite green tea for sinus relief. Take that, fall allergy season!
Smoky teas are the perfect fall sip and a great way to easily scratch that smoky itch. We offer several popular smoky tea options with varying degrees of smokiness to suit your tastes. So put away the matches and get ready to light up your taste buds and olfactory senses – let’s steep some smoke!
Lapsang Souchong. The king of the smoky teas, Lapsang Souchong is an ancient black tea from the Wuyi Mountains in China. Because wood was abundant in these heavily forested mountains, it was only natural to smoke the tea like bacon. The leaves were slowly withered to create a complex tea, then the leaves were slowly dried in rooms with a smoky fire below. To fully appreciate all that Lapsang Souchong has to offer – and indeed all teas – try tasting it like we taste teas here at Harney. It’s not pretty, but it allows you to experience all the tastes and smells that this treasured tea has to offer. Get all the tea tasting knowledge you need on our The Proper Way to Taste Tea blog, including a video demonstration by yours truly!
Russian Country. This tea is my grandfather’s take on a classic Russian tea. It’s a blend of four great teas (Keemun, Assam, Ceylon, and Formosa Oolong) with a touch of Lapsang Souchong, giving it a softer smoky flavor than the classic Lapsang. When tea was exported from China, a small portion of it went by boat southeastward from Canton to Europe. The other route was to follow the silk road to the northwest to Russia. The teas that went through Russia were plain and had to survive many months through searing deserts on the backs of camels and mules. Along with the smoky flavor you’ll enjoy muted notes of malt, citrus and stewed peaches.
Gunpowder. While Gunpowder’s hallmark is its sharp, charred flavor, rest assured it doesn’t get its name from how it tastes! Gunpowder tea’s leaves are green and tightly rolled, like a pellet that might have been fired from a musket. Gunpowder is produced almost entirely for export, and for many years it was one of the only green teas available in the U.S. It has an aroma of burnt wood, even ash. It is definitely charred, though it lacks the piney smokiness of Lapsang Souchong. For centuries, Gunpowder has served as the base for Arabian mint tea, sweetened with plenty of sugar. Its strong, charred flavors taste wonderful with mint, but the tea is also delicious on its own.
Black Cask Bourbon. This wonderfully layered blend builds with a base of black tea and – wait for it – Lapsang Souchong for its smoky notes. We added bourbon flavor for a result that is simple and stunning: prominent bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel and smoky oak-cask layered atop a smoky black tea base. It has all the full body and intense aromas of black tea with the rich flavors of a finely aged bourbon, which means you should sip it slowly and savor the experience.
Japanese Whisky. When we got the chance to carry this tea, we got all fired up! Japanese Whisky tea is a rare tea that comes to us from Shizuoka Prefecture. It’s made using the same cultivar as most senchas, Yabukita. During its extensive processing, it is finished with an eight-hour smoking over wood chips made from Japanese whisky barrels. It’s a special tea with mild peat notes and sweet honey undertones, perfect for enjoying outside on a crisp fall evening next to a backyard fire pit.
Murder on the Orient Express. We very much enjoyed bringing this murderously wonderful tea to life! Inspired by the Agatha Christie whodunit and 2017 movie based on the classic novel, this smoky and citrusy black tea also contains oolong tea, jasmine tea and bergamot oil for an exotic cup. It’s no crime to love this smoky tea!
]]>To help you discover new blends, we’ve put together a list of “Like This? Try That!” teas. We started with 10 of our best-selling teas and paired each of them with a tea that has some similar quality we think might appeal to you. Look at it like, “Hey, if you like U2, you might enjoy The Corrs!” (FYI, the Corrs are another Irish band, and they’re really good, just not as famous as Bono and the boys, which makes this a perfect example!)
So, without further ado…here’s our list of “Like This? Try That!” teas that we think you’ll enjoy! Happy exploring!
1. Like Hot Cinnamon Spice? Try Mulled Plum Cider!
Our perpetual best-selling tea year after year, Hot Cinnamon Spice is loved for its bright cinnamon, orange, and clove notes as well as for its all-natural sweetness that is truly all-natural – we don’t add any kind of sugar to this beloved blend.
If you are an HCS devotee, we encourage you to try Mulled Plum Cider. Think of it as a dark-and-stormy night version of HCS – a deeper, richer, and complex experience. The elements of HCS are there – cinnamon, orange, and cloves – but layered with plum, black currant, hibiscus, ginger, cacao pieces, apple pieces, and black pepper, all on an earthy rooibos tea base. It’s a little bit sweet, a little bit smoky, and a whole lotta plum delicious!
2. Like Hot Apple Spice? Try Snow White!
Another awesome spicy best-seller, Hot Apple Spice takes a page from HCS’ flavor menu with its black tea, cinnamon, orange, and clove flavors…but then adds some fruity flair with apple pieces and apple flavor that our customers love to the core!
If apples are your thing, then you’ll love our Snow White tea. This white tea is so full of apple flavor you’ll want to take a bite! We added cornflowers and marigold petals for a bit of Disney’s Snow White forest nostalgia and a nice touch of sweet balance (plus a nod to Snow White’s sweet personalitea!).
3. Like Peppermint Herbal? Try Chill!
Not only is our Peppermint Herbal incredibly refreshing with its brisk peppermint flavor, but it’s also a great tea to relax with. Customers swear by its ability to help them unwind, feel less stressed, and just chill. Speaking of which…
Our sister brand’s Chill tea takes the relaxation factor up a notch. We’ve taken peppermint and added chamomile, an herb known to help you relax, and added 16 MG of CBD made from our home-grown hemp. This is a great cup of tea to enjoy before bed or anytime some chill is called for.
4. Like Paris? Try Tower of London Blend!
Paris is consistently one of our top three best-selling blends, and fans are quick to tell you why. Like the city it’s named for, it is an elegantly complex tea, with a black and oolong base starring vanilla and caramel flavors while bergamot oil and black currant flavor play supporting roles. Go ahead, you can say it: ooh la la!
Just across the pond from Paris, you’ll find the Tower of London…while here at Harney, you’ll find its namesake blend. Our Tower of London tea has a nearly identical recipe to our Paris tea, only in slightly different proportions and with an additional touch of honey. Because we blend it with stone fruit, it has more berry flavor than its French counterpart. The amethyst-inspired tin is reminiscent of the crown jewels housed in the Tower of London. You don’t need to don your jewels to drink it, but then again, why not?
5. Like Chamomile? Try New York Blend!
Chamomile tea is synonymous with relaxation. Also known to help with tummy troubles, chamomile has long been a go-to for just plain ol’ feeling better. Seems like at some point in old classic southern movies, some mom or grandmother can be heard saying, “There, there. Let me put the kettle on and make you some chamomile tea.” It’s no surprise so many people love this classic brew.
So, it made perfect sense to utilize chamomile in our New York Blend…because even in the city that never sleeps, there are lots of people who want to! If any herb can help you shake off the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, chamomile can, especially when paired with the soothing effects of ginger and peppermint. It’s like the superhero triplets of calm. If this tea can work there, it can work anywhere!
6. Like Earl Grey Supreme? Try Murder on the Orient Express!
It’s not just Star Trek’s Captain Jean Luc Picard who loves Earl Grey tea; it’s one of the most popular teas on the planet (and possibly beyond!). Our Earl Grey Supreme elevates this classic with the addition of white tea silver tips, an elegant touch that makes this a very special Earl Grey.
If you’re an EGS fan, might we interest you in a little Murder? Our Murder on the Orient Express blend, inspired by the movie/novel of the same name, takes the same basic elements of a classic Earl Grey – black tea and bergamot oil – and adds in oolong and jasmine teas. These ingredients combine to make a tea that is elegant like the train, a bit exotic like the setting, and a li’l smoky like the shroud of mystery surrounding the murder on board.
7. Like Chai? Try Chai Hara!
The unofficial official beverage of India, Chai has grown in popularity in the U.S. over the past few years and is now a ubiquitous offering on café menus. A black tea with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla, it is most often served as they serve it in India with milk. It’s wonderful hot or iced. There’s really nothing like it.
Or is there? Chai Hara is chai in a green tea version (“hara” means “green” in Hindi). We did season it a little differently, however, to pair nicely with its green tea base. The usual suspects are there – cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg – but we also added coriander seed, fennel, and some ginger flavor to round out this unique Green Chai. If you enjoy the lauded benefits of green tea, this chai’s for you!
8. Like English Breakfast? Try Eight at the Fort!
Fans of English Breakfast tea don’t want teas that mess around. Just high-quality black tea, please. No added anything, just the way the Brits like it (unless they add milk and sugar, of course). Our English Breakfast tea uses Ceylon and Kenyan black teas to create what some consider to be something like the ring in Lord of the Rings: one tea to rule them all.
Eight at the Fort, on the other hand, is a blend of eight teas – again, no added flavors – that we think English Breakfast lovers can appreciate. This tea incorporates eight types of black tea, oolong tea, and white tea to create a classically simple yet unique brew. It was commissioned for a meeting of the G8 at The Fort in Denver and was meant to signify the harmonious coming together of eight different world leaders for a more-than-agreeable outcome.
9. Like Organic Ginger Turmeric? Try Ginger Liquorice!
Organic Ginger Turmeric is another perennial customer fave. Is it because it tastes delicious? Is it because the ingredients are beneficial to your health and well-being? How about both?! In addition to organic ginger and turmeric, this blend has organic apple, lemongrass, hibiscus, beetroot, and nutmeg for a powerhouse cup of flavor.
A different (and delightful) twist on ginger turmeric is Ginger Liquorice. The spice of the ginger is complemented by the sweetness of the liquorice for a pleasing sip. Both ginger root and liquorice root are known for their ability to help aid digestion, which makes this another great option for adding to the wellness section of your tea pantry.
10. Like Pomegranate Oolong? Try Royal Pomegranate Green Tea!
Our final “Like This? Try That!” pairing starts with our popular Pomegranate Oolong tea. Bursting with bright pomegranate flavor, this is a simple tea with only two ingredients yet provides complex layers of flavor and aroma. It’s like drinking an oolong with sparkle.
You can probably guess what the difference is with our Royal Pomegranate Green Tea. We swapped green tea for oolong to create a lighter brew in both color and taste. If we could put the flavor of spring in a cup, this might be it. Enjoy all the benefits of green tea along with antioxidant-rich pomegranate in this blend. Why is it called Royal? Because we decreed it so!
]]>This year’s candidates vying for a place in the Harney lineup are:
If you haven’t voted yet, go to our form to vote and be entered to win our Happy Blendings Sweepstakes. Five random entrants will win a Harney & Sons $50 gift card and all six of our past Happy Blendings winners (must enter by 11:59PM EDT on Sept. 3). What are those teas, you ask? Read on to find out!
2022: Berry Cobbler
Who doesn’t love a fresh berry cobbler, especially in the summer? This winning blend is a naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea with blueberry, raspberry, vanilla, and cinnamon. Delicious. If you want, add a little cream to take the place of the ice cream you’d put on a warm piece of cobbler. Now it’s creamy AND delicious!
2021: Garden Party
It’s easy to see how this winning blend won the hearts of our voters. This wonderfully unique tea was inspired by summer parties in lush English gardens and starts with a green tea base to which we added rhubarb flavor, raspberry flavor, elderflower flavor, rhubarb, cornflowers, and lemon flavor. The only thing missing is the parasols, butlers and croquet mallets – that’s up to you!
2020: Bee’s Knees
Break out the flapper dresses and brush up on your Charleston dance moves, this Roaring Twenteas-inspired tea is a play on the eponymously named 1920’s gin cocktail. A great tea to enjoy when it’s too early for happy hour, it’s a playful blend with a lovely botanical aroma that brews up into a silky smooth cup. It’s a blend of white tea, juniper berries, lemon peel, gin flavor, honey flavor, and lemon flavor.
2019: Raspberry Mojito
Our 2019 contest winner offers a refreshing, caffeine-free brew full of bright, fruity notes. Flavors of juicy raspberry mingle on the palate with tangy, almost tart hibiscus and sweet apple, plus a squeeze of tart lime and eye-opening fresh mint. The result is a unique blend that’s equally refreshing hot or iced.
2018: Chocolate Chai Supreme
An instant favorite, our Chocolate Chai Supreme combines the flavors of a classic chai with rich chocolate and vanilla. We begin with a base of blended Chinese and Indian black teas, then add all the necessities for a delicious chai—ginger root, cardamom seeds and pods, cinnamon (ground and in chips), and nutmeg. Finally, we swirl natural chocolate, cardamom, and vanilla flavor through the blend, creating a one-of-a-kind tea experience you won’t soon forget.
2017: Victorian London Fog
This tea was the winner of our inaugural tea-blending contest. The beverage called London Fog is traditionally an Earl Grey served with steamed milk. With steam power originating during the Victorian Era, we felt it appropriate to add it to the name. This wonderful tea is a blend of black and oolong teas along with bergamot oil, lavender and vanilla flavors.
Which of the teas at the beginning of this article will be the 2023 Happy Blendings winner? If there’s a tea in that list you’d like to put in your cart one day, make sure you vote!
]]>We embarked on a nighttime tour by a local monk of the Okunoin Cemetary, home of the template of a thousand lanterns and a place of profound peace veiled in mystery under the moonlight. The air hung heavy with the scent of ancient Japanese cedars. Countless gravestones (our guide said 200,000!), each bearing a silent testament to lives lived and the passage of time, were tucked in amongst the trees. The next day, as dawn broke, we joined the temple's monks in their morning chant, a ritual as invigorating as it was tranquil, before revisiting the cemetery under the soft glow of morning light.
The call of Kyoto and tea friends, however, couldn't be ignored. After a four-hour journey involving a cable car and three trains, including the iconic Shinkansen, we arrived in Kyoto, hungry and eager. Katsukura, a renowned Kyoto restaurant, provided a hearty welcome.
The next day, April 28th, began with an early pick-up by Tsuyoshi. We set off on a road trip to Wazuka Valley, home to our long-time tea friend, Matsuda. Upon arrival, Matsuda and his wife were busy in the fields, harvesting tea. Rob and I had the exciting opportunity to join them in this labor of love, traversing a couple of rows before returning to Matsuda’s home, tucked into the hillside.
As we sipped tea with Matsuda, he shared that he would complete his harvest by month's end, an optimal timing given the unusually cold spring. The tea had flushed early, and now farmers were waiting for more growth, but unfortunately, the leaves could become too thin with the progression of the season. He also expressed his disappointment that his son showed no interest in joining the family business. Rob and I offered to help him next year, a proposal welcomed with gratitude.
Our visit culminated with heartfelt thanks to Matsuda for his time, his hospitality, and of course, his excellent tea. We then journeyed back to Uji, stopping for udon at a local spot where the noodles were freshly prepared to order. I added a topping of beef and onions, a decision that turned out deliciously.
We also visited a farm owned by Mr. Fukawa, the producer of our Unjunotomo Matcha, a blend of Asahi and Samidori cultivars. These tea plants are grown side by side and at first glance, look identical. As we got closer, though, we could see the serrations of the leaves differed, as well as the leaf size. The factory where this matcha is made is owned by 4 different families, and because of an ongoing disagreement, we weren’t able to visit it firsthand.
Tsuyoshi's factory, standing for decades if not centuries, was our last stop. There we tasted the exquisite Wazuka Guricha, a unique, partially withered tea with curly leaves, contrasting with the standard flat leaves of Gyokuro and Sencha. Its luscious body and sweetness made it an irresistible addition to our tea collection. This will be available for purchase shortly! Our day concluded with a hearty meal with Tsuyoshi before we resumed our journey toward Tokyo. A delightful detour took us to the charming mountain town of Hakone, famous for its hot springs and intriguing black hard-boiled eggs.
Japan, with its lush tea fields, centuries-old tea traditions, and the indomitable spirit of its tea makers, continues to be a source of inspiration for us as we continue to source teas to make you smile. We look forward to sharing more of these incredible experiences and the flavors they bring to Harney & Sons with you, one cup at a time.
And now, for the final 20 things we love about tea…
21. Lots of words rhyme with “tea.”
As you just witnessed, there are lots and lots of words – or should we say “plentea” – that rhyme with “tea,” and we aren’t afraid to take advantage of that! It makes for a lot of fun wordplay, and we think we could all use a little extra silliness in our often too-serious days.
22. Kombucha!
Thank goodness we don’t have to try to rhyme words with ‘kombucha!” Other than that, we are fans of this wonderful fermented tea. Have you tried making it yourself? If you have patience, you can create your own kombucha and save a lot of money over the pre-bottled, store-bought stuff. Check out our kombucha blog, or read about one of Teafluencers, Angelica Kelly, creator of You Brew Kombucha.
23. You can make tea cocktails.
Incorporating tea into cocktail recipes is next-level mixology. To save you the trouble of searching through our blogs for recipes, we’ve put a few here for you to enjoy or for inspo to try out your tea cocktail mixology chops: Harney Happy Hour, The Art of Infusing for Cocktails, Drinks for the Holidays, Tea Mocktails and Cocktails, Cranberry Autumn Cosmopolitan, Holiday Mixology and Coconut Butterfly Pea Bubble Tea Cocktail.
24. Tea inspires memories.
Since the founding of this family-owned company 40 years ago, you can imagine how many memories our family has created over the years sitting around enjoying tea. We’ve been privileged to enjoy the finest teas in the world, and to share them with our family and friends. That’s why we love what we do – we want to make those teas – and the times that tea makes possible – something that you also incorporate into wonderful memories. Tea is perfect for sharing and being part of memorable moments.
25. Wellness teas.
When it comes to living a healthier life, turns out tea is a mightea good thing to have in your daily wellness routine. In addition to the health benefits recently reported by Advances in Nutrition, we’ve incorporated lots of beneficial ingredients into our Wellness Teas, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, adaptogens, and more great stuff that begins with letters other than just “a”!
26. Tea is the perfect excuse to eat scones.
Honestly, we can’t think of a better excuse. Scones are delicious, and having tea without one is almost like eggs without bacon, spring without birdsong, or The Voice without Blake Shelton. Whip up some warm scones anytime you feel the need for scone speed with our vanilla or chocolate chip scone mix.
27. Bubble tea, baby!
Sooo many good things to say about bubble tea. It’s delicious. It’s fun. It comes with big straws. It’s tea and dessert all rolled into one. Learn all about bubble tea, or boba tea, and watch my uncle Paul show you how it’s done on our bubble tea blog. We’ve also got super fun bubble tea recipes for more slurping pleasure!
28. Tea has cool phrases.
That’s right, we’re here to spill the tea on cool tea phrases! “Spill the tea” is just one of several phrases or idioms that have made their way into our language that incorporate the word “tea.” Check them out and discover how they came into being.
29. Matcha matcha matcha!
Did you know that the word “matcha” comes from the Japanese “ma” which means “ground” and “cha” which is one of the words for “tea?” Whatever the origins of the words are, fans know that “matcha” means “yummy, good-for-you, powdered green tea!” Discover everything you want to know about matcha, including the proper way to prepare it, on our matcha blog, and check out this awesome Strawberry Iced Matcha Latte recipe.
30. Tea ceremonies.
When it comes to beverages and ceremonies, once again, tea rules. Whether it’s an ancient Chinese gongfu ceremony, as described in our Chinese Tea Traditions blog, a beautifully choreographed Japanese tea ceremony, or your personal version of a tea ceremony, only tea lends itself so perfectly to the art of preparing, pouring, serving, and enjoying.
31. Pee pee boys!
Speaking of Chinese gongfu ceremonies…one special element of those events is the inclusion of tea pets. In the Chinese tea traditions blog we linked to above, you’ll see a section on tea pets – small clay figures that let you know when your water is hot enough to make tea. Pee pee boys are one of the classic tea pet figures, and, as we say in the blog, if the water poured over the pee pee boy is the proper temperature, he will do as his name indicates, providing entertainment and proper water temperature all in one adorable little package!
32. Tea lattes are tealicious.
Move over coffee, there’s a new latte in town. While most might think “coffee” when they think “latte,” tea lattes have grown in popularity, and for good reason: they’re delicious. Plus, they generally have less caffeine than coffee and, if made with green tea especially, can have more health benefits. Get some tips on how to whip up tea lattes at home.
33. Tea makes great gifts.
Whether it’s for a die-hard tea drinker or someone who’s never really tried tea, the gift of tea is one that will rarely go unused or unappreciated. Let’s face it, with over 300 varieties of Harney teas, you can hardly go wrong. Then there are gift sets, teacups and mugs, teapots, tea gadgets, tea gizmos, tea treats, and even t-shirts! Oh, and did we mention free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S.? Somewhere, something is being checked off a wish list right now…
34. Global connections.
We’ve been so fortunate to meet wonderful tea growers, blenders, merchants, and tea lovers from all around the world. They have educated us, inspired us, and helped us grow as tea professionals and as humans. We’re honored that our tea is sold around the globe – 40 years ago, when my grandfather started this business in his basement, he could never have foreseen his company’s global reach. And because we believe in taking care of the planet that provides us with tea plants, we’re part of 1% for the Planet, which allows us to donate 1% of our total sales to many worthwhile environmental organizations of our choice.
35. Tasting tea involves slurping!
We were all raised not to slurp when drinking or eating soup, but when it comes to tasting tea properly, go ahead and tell your Mom you’re sorry in advance…because slurping is required. Properly tasting tea involves not only taste but smell, and getting air into your mouth and allowing the aromas to float into your nasal passage is essential to really understanding and appreciating the nuances of your tea. You can see yours truly demonstrating this technique in our Proper Way to Taste Tea blog. You might not want to invite me to your next party after you watch it…or maybe you will so I can teach you all how to get the best out of your brew.
36. Tasseography.
Tea isn’t only delicious, it can tell your fortune! Tasseography is the art of reading tea leaves, something my grandfather John Harney was very fond of doing. See our short primer on the art of tea-leaf reading and watch a video of my grandfather in action!
37. Tea science is cool.
There is so much fascinating science that goes into influencing how teas taste. From the obvious, like weather, soil, and climate, to behind-the-scenes science of how elements like caffeine, polyphenols, sugars, fatty acids, amino acids, and color pigments also shape the taste of tea. Then there are chemicals that teas produce to protect themselves from insects that also play a role in the flavor of your tea. Take a deep dive into what makes tea what it is in our From Tree to Tea series: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
38. Tea is comforting.
Bad day at the office? Tea. Finish a book you loved and feel a little lost without it? Tea. Feeling a little under the weather? Tea. Find out your best friend is moving away? Tea (maybe with a little brandy). Tea can’t fix the world, but it can make it a little easier to bear.
39. Tea time is anytime.
Tea doesn’t demand a special occasion, but it also is absolutely comfortable as the star of a classy afternoon tea. It tastes just as good when you’re wearing a t-shirt and sweats as it does when you’re wearing a suit and tie. There’s a tea for every time of day and a tea for every person. Because tea time is anytime.
40. Good tea always makes you smile!
My dad, Mike Harney, got some valuable advice early on in this business from our friend and renowned German tea broker Bernd Wulf. As my dad was tasting teas in order to decide what to purchase, Bernd said, “Only buy teas that make you smile.” We have adhered to that rule because when we buy tea on your behalf, we want to ensure that when you drink it, it makes you smile!
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Our next stop was Nagoya, home to our store in the grand Takashimaya department store. From lively meetings with our Harney staff to engaging discussions with the Takashimaya executives, every interaction further solidified our deep-seated bonds with our Japanese partners.
Boarding the Shinkansen, we traveled back east, stopping at Kakegawa, where we were warmly greeted by Kohei Sugihara, a member of the Otsuka team. A meal was the first order of business - simple, satisfying soba. Despite the warm weather, Rob insisted on a hot meal, but I enjoyed the refreshingly cool soba.
Our anticipation escalated as we headed to the Otsuka tea factory, a 20-minute drive from Kakegawa. The crew at the factory had already been up working since 3 am; however, they were kind enough to have saved some tea to finish in their machinery until after we had arrived. The smell of roasting green tea was welcome in our noses.
The Otsukas introduced us to a delightful newcomer, Asanoka Sencha. With a sweet aroma reminiscent of ripe mangoes, this wonderful tea hails from the Miyazaki region, a new addition to our tea origins. We were also treated to an advanced tasting of Ichiban Sencha, a tea we've regularly sourced from the Otsukas. Freshly completed that very morning, its delicate aroma and full-bodied flavor brought a certain tranquility to our day.
Kohei informed us that this year's harvest had been abundant, thanks to a refreshingly rainy March. The harvesting season in Shizuoka had kicked off just six days prior to our arrival, and the first flush was expected to last until the first of May. The first flush is an important season in the tea world - it marks the time when the leaves are at their freshest and most flavorful. Our other Otsuka favorite, Sencha Scent of Mountains, would be produced in mid-May from tea fields nestled higher in the mountains.
Following our factory visit, we traversed into the countryside, exploring the thriving tea fields. The locals were racing against an incoming rain forecast, eager to harvest while the leaves were still dry. As tea enthusiasts, we felt their urgency – knowing all too well how the weather could affect the flavor profiles of teas.
After a day steeped in the beauty of the tea fields, we joined the Otsuka family for an exquisite Sushi-style Kaiseki dinner. The warmth of tea makers, coupled with the intoxicating aroma of the fields and factories, filled our senses. It was a reminder of why we do what we do - for these extraordinary, irreplaceable experiences that bring us closer to our teas and their creators.
This marked our first visit to tea fields since 2019, and the joy of being back was indescribable. We left Kakegawa with full hearts, full bellies, and reinvigorated for our craft. With the taste of Asanoka Sencha still lingering on our palates and the excitement of our next adventure - a visit to Studio Ghibli Park - we look forward to the rest of our tea journey in this wonderful country.
]]>Bastille Day has been a major celebration in France almost every year since 1880. The festivities begin with a jaw-dropping military flyover and continue with the oldest and largest military parade in Europe, which takes place on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. After the parade, the French people typically celebrate with picnics, concerts, dance parties and fireworks, much like we do for our Independence Day. Well, except they have fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. Like we said: cooler.
A truly unique party component of Bastille Day takes place the night before and also the night of July 14. Firemen’s balls, or bals des pompiers, are big parties held at Paris fire stations. A typical firemen’s ball would include food trucks or buffets, live bands, dancing and firefighters in full uniform serving champagne and beer to guests. It’s a wonderful tradition that has been around since the late 1930s.
If you’d like to start getting some French vibes going for this holiday, we’ve got just the thing! Brew up some of our lovely French-themed or inspired teas and get in the Bastille Day spirit! You could even share some with your local firefighters. They may not be throwing you a dance party, but they certainly deserve some wonderful tea!
Paris. A perennial best-seller, our Paris tea is c’est magnifique! My dad, Mike Harney, was inspired to create this blend in homage to Paris and the many pots of tea he enjoyed there. Paris is a black tea with creamy vanilla and caramel flavors with a hint of bergamot. Pairs well with episodes of Emily in Paris!
Brigitte’s Blend. Named after my mom, Brigitte’s Blend is an elegant mixture of silvery Ceylon and golden Assam. As we always say about this tea, like my mom, this blend is perfect in many situations! Fun fact: this tea is served at the Dorchester Hotel in London as Dorchester Blend.
French Super Blue Lavender. If you’ve ever seen the lavender fields in Provence, you’ll understand the inspiration behind this blend. Our French Super Blue Lavender, a traditional herbal sourced from the perfume capital of the French Riviera, has a deep blue hue, intense floral taste, and captivating aroma.
Provence. Speaking of Provence…one of our newest teas was inspired and created by our French intern, Marine! She wanted to transport you to her native region of Provence where you’ll find the aforementioned fields of lavender as well as apricots and lemons common to the French towns that border the Mediterranean. Provence is a white tea base with lavender and lemon, apricot, vanilla, and honey flavor.
French Verveine. Also known as Lemon Verbena, Verveine has been appreciated for more than a thousand years. An herbal tea, people enjoy its clear lemon flavors and lack of caffeine. The French developed an affinity for it and made it into a much-beloved tisane.
Fruits d’Alsace. Chef Jean Joho, originally from Alsace, asked us to create a dessert tea. Using fruits found in many Alsatian desserts, this black tea is full of apricot, cherry, and plum flavors. My dad, Mike, describes it as “Paris on steroids.”
Garden Therapy. Part of our Met Museum collection, Garden Therapy’s tin features a beautiful Claude Monet landscape. Because Monet is French, this tea is invited to our Bastille Day party! A soothing herbal blend of chamomile, peppermint, and lemon verbena, this tea is perfect for the morning after you’ve danced with the firefighters!
Tilleul. As I mentioned, because my mother, Brigitte, is French, we are always on the lookout for traditional French teas, and one does not get more French or more traditional than Tilleul. Another lovely offering from Provence, Tilleul is a light and lively blend of the linden tree’s fragrant flowers and leaves. This naturally caffeine-free herbal is prized for its subtle floral quality as well as its mild digestive and sleep benefits. This is the tea that Proust dunked Madeleine cookies in that created fond memories in Swann’s Way, which makes this even more French!
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