Tea Blog

In memoriam – John Harney (August 20, 1930 – June 16, 2014)

The English Tea Store, owner of this blog, has long been proud to offer Harney & Sons premium tea collections and specialty tea blends, products from one of the most respected tea companies in the United States. In June 2014, the tea community lost John Harney, the founder of Harney & Sons. While he will be greatly missed, he leaves behind both a remarkable legacy and a family dedicated to continuing the company he built.

The Beginning of John Harney’s Tea Journey

A brief history of Harney’s tea career appears in his own words in a TeaTime Magazine interview with Harney & Sons founder John Harney, published in 2009:

In 1960, Stanley Mason, an English gentleman and owner of Sarum Tea, met with me at the White Hart Inn, where I was general manager and a partner, and asked me to serve his tea in the inn. People asked daily where the tea could be purchased. I sent guests to Stanley’s home, where Stanley could be found packing teas. In 1967, Stanley convinced me to serve only loose-leaf tea at the inn, then unheard of in the United States. Again, people wanted to purchase the tea. I knew I was on to something. In 1970, I bought Sarum Tea, and Stanley Mason became my mentor. The apprentice period lasted 10 years, until Stanley passed away in 1980, at the age of 80. In 1978, I sold tea to my first hotel, the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. They purchased English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Assam, Gunpowder, and Chamomile—the full Sarum Tea line!

Today, Harney & Sons teas can be found in tea shops, hotels, restaurants, and retail stores throughout the United States and beyond. While bagged versions are easier to find in many locations, tea enthusiasts often appreciate the company’s loose-leaf offerings, which showcase the character of the leaves more fully.

Classic Harney & Sons Teas Worth Exploring

• Harney & Sons Earl Grey Imperial black tea – Part of the company’s distinguished collection of traditional English tea blends created for the Historic Royal Palaces of England. This blend combines quality black teas with rich natural bergamot flavor.
• -sons-hrp-cinnamon-spice-tea.html”>Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice black tea – One of the company’s most popular flavored teas, featuring black tea blended with three varieties of cinnamon, orange peel, and sweet cloves without added sugar.
• Harney & Sons Vanilla Comoro decaffeinated black tea – A smooth vanilla-flavored black tea that offers full flavor without the caffeine, making it an excellent evening tea.
• -tea/harney-sons-indian-black-tea-english-breakfast.html”>Harney & Sons Royal English Breakfast tea blend – A robust blend featuring Kenilworth Ceylon and Kenyan Milima black teas, producing a full-bodied breakfast tea that pairs well with milk and sugar.
• sons-tea/harney-sons-peppermint-herbal-tea.html”>Harney & Sons Peppermint Herbal tisane – Crafted from Oregon peppermint leaves, this refreshing herbal infusion offers a crisp aroma and cooling flavor.
• Harney & Sons Chinese Flower green tea blend – A visually attractive blend of green tea and floral ingredients accented with citrus notes, offering both beauty and flavor.
• -tea/harney-sons-green-tea-coconut.html”>Harney & Sons green tea with coconut, ginger, and vanilla – Inspired by the flavors of Thailand, this blend combines green tea with lemongrass, coconut, vanilla, and ginger for a unique tropical profile.

A Lasting Legacy in American Tea

John Harney helped introduce generations of American tea drinkers to quality loose-leaf tea at a time when specialty tea was far less common than it is today. Through education, innovation, and a dedication to quality, he played an important role in shaping modern tea culture in the United States.

His influence continues through Harney & Sons, the company he founded, and through the countless tea enthusiasts who discovered new teas because of his efforts.

Our thanks to Mr. Harney for his many years of dedication to the beverage he loved.

And our best wishes to those carrying his legacy forward.

See more /author/accargill/”>tea articles and tea culture commentary by A.C. Cargill.

© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog, 2009-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this article’s author and/or the blog’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.