A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: The Enduring Family Story of Harney & Sons

In the annals of American specialty tea, few names carry as much weight or evoke as much warmth as Harney & Sons. Founded in 1983, the company began as a humble endeavor in the basement of John Harney’s home. Today, that operation has blossomed into a global leader in the tea industry, yet despite its expansive reach, the company remains rooted in the values and personal touch of a multi-generational family enterprise. As the Harney family continues to grow—with the "sons" of Harney & Sons now raising their own children—the brand serves as a testament to the idea that business is best conducted when it is treated as a personal labor of love.

To understand the modern identity of Harney & Sons, one must look at the individuals who steer the ship. The company’s story is a tapestry woven from the dedication of its founders and the innovative spirit of the generations that followed.

The Matriarchal Foundation: Elyse Harney

At the helm as President is Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein Harney, the true matriarch of the family. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse graduated from Brooklyn’s St. Joseph’s University in 1952. Her academic journey continued at Columbia University, and in 1953, she married John Harney. Together, they formed a partnership that would define both their personal lives and their professional legacies.

Beyond her foundational role in co-founding Harney & Sons in 1983, Elyse established herself as a formidable entrepreneur in her own right. In 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). While John Harney was busy navigating the burgeoning tea trade, Elyse’s real estate venture provided crucial stability, eventually growing into a premier agency serving the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The legacy of this second business has also become a family affair; her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, joined the firm in 2005 and currently serves as the lead broker and owner. With her husband, Scott, serving as an Operating Broker, and their daughter, Brittany, also employed by the firm, the family’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to bridge the worlds of real estate and tea.

For those curious about the palate of the woman who started it all, her preferences are as refined as the brand itself. Her "Elyse Harney’s Selects" collection offers a glimpse into her daily rituals. She often begins her morning with Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha. As the afternoon wanes, she leans toward oolongs, typically concluding her day with a calming cup of Jasmine, Yellow & Blue, or Chamomile—a tradition of drinking the latter that her late husband, John, initiated years ago.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the second generation of the family. His path to the tea business was marked by a detour into the hospitality sector. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike managed the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. He returned to the family fold in 1988, bringing with him a dedication to quality that would become the hallmark of the brand.

As Master Tea Buyer and blender, Mike’s role is central to the company’s mission. He travels extensively, cultivating relationships with tea producers across the globe to ensure that only the highest quality leaves make it into Harney & Sons tins. His expertise was formalized in his 2008 book, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, which draws on his years of sampling and evaluating hundreds of varieties. For Mike, the defining characteristic of a superior tea is its "terroir"—the unique expression of the natural environment in which the plant is grown.

Working closely with the family is Mike’s wife, Brigitte Harney, who serves as a Manager and Buyer. Born in Suresnes, France, Brigitte first arrived in Connecticut in 1977. It was during a chance encounter while working as an au pair that she first met the Harney family. She later reconnected with Mike while he was interning in France, sparking a partnership that would become integral to the company’s operations. Brigitte’s taste is famously nuanced; while she is the namesake for "Brigitte’s Blend"—a combination of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—her preferences shift with the seasons. In the crisp autumn months, she might favor Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos, while the arrival of warmer weather sees her reaching for a First Flush Darjeeling.

The second generation also includes Paul Harney, the firm’s other Vice President. If Mike is the curator of tradition, Paul is the engine of innovation. He has been the driving force behind the company’s expansion into new formats, including the development of organic ready-to-drink teas and juices. Furthermore, Paul pioneered the company’s pyramid sachet packaging, a design that provides the convenience of a tea bag while allowing enough room for whole-leaf tea to expand and infuse properly. His entrepreneurial reach extends to The Hemp Division, a sister company founded in 2018 that leverages the family’s deep knowledge of premium botanicals to explore the burgeoning market for hemp products. Paul’s personal tastes are as adventurous as his professional ventures; he is particularly fond of Horchata tea, a creative blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that reflects his affinity for Mexican culinary traditions.

The Third Generation: Carrying the Torch

The commitment to the brand has now extended to the third generation, led by Emeric Harney, the company’s Marketing Director. Emeric’s immersion in the tea world began in childhood; he was peeling stickers for tea tins at age four and working the retail shop floor by age 11. His trajectory within the company has been diverse and impactful. In 2010, he successfully launched the brand’s SoHo retail store, and in 2016, he transitioned into a leadership role within the marketing department. His influence touches nearly every aspect of the business, from product development to brand management. Among his favorite offerings are Matcha iri Genmaicha for the mornings and Panyang Congou for a mid-day reprieve.

Joining him in the third generation is his older brother, Alex Harney, who serves as Content Director and Café Director. Alex’s childhood memories are inseparable from the family business; he recalls working alongside his grandfather, John Harney, to blend Earl Grey by hand, carefully infusing cotton balls with bergamot oil to scent the leaves. This early education in craftsmanship served him well. When the company opened its Millerton café in 2005, Alex stepped into the role of founder and executive chef, curating a menu that encompasses everything from soups to desserts. Today, he channels his creativity into the company’s film and photography departments, ensuring that the visual story of Harney & Sons is as compelling as the teas themselves. His own preferences lean toward the delicate, with a particular soft spot for lightly oxidized oolongs like Dong Ding Light and Wenshan Baozhong.

As the current generation reflects on the decades of growth, there is a clear sense of continuity. The business has weathered changing markets and evolving consumer tastes, yet the core mission—to share the world’s finest teas while maintaining the intimacy of a family-run operation—remains unchanged. While the family continues to grow, the philosophy remains constant: to keep sourcing, sampling, and blending, ensuring that every cup served makes the consumer’s day a little more exceptional. Whether it is a new generation entering the fold or the discovery of an undiscovered tea, the Harney family is prepared for whatever the future holds, one cup at a time.