A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: Meet the Harney Family Behind the Tea

It has been over four decades since John Harney, guided by the expertise of English expatriate Stanley Mason, began blending tea in the humble confines of his family’s basement. What started in 1983 as a modest domestic operation has since evolved into Harney & Sons, a global name synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and an enduring family legacy. While much has changed in the years since that inaugural batch, the company remains firmly rooted in the values that defined its inception. Today, the "Sons" in the company name have grown up, and in a heartening testament to the business’s longevity, those sons now have sons of their own.

As the company continues to evolve, it remains a true family affair. To understand the heartbeat of Harney & Sons, one must look at the individuals who keep the kettles boiling and the blends innovating. This is an intimate look at the current generation of the Harney clan, the diverse roles they play in the company’s success, and the specific teas that define their personal tastes—tastes that, like the company itself, are always discovering new horizons.

Elyse Harney: The Matriarch and President

At the helm of the organization stands Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein, the company’s president and the matriarch of the Harney family. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse’s journey toward becoming a leader in the tea industry began with her education at St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, where she graduated in 1952. Her ties to her alma mater remain remarkably strong; the university recently invited her back to serve as their 2026 commencement speaker, an honor that reflects both her personal accomplishments and the enduring respect she commands.

After pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University, she married John Harney in February 1953. Elyse was not merely a partner in marriage but a co-founder of the Harney enterprise, helping to build the company from the ground up in 1983 while raising four sons and a daughter. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond tea; in 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). During the lean early years of the tea business, her real estate success provided essential financial stability for the family. Today, EHRE stands as a premier agency in the tri-state area encompassing Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The family’s professional interconnectedness continues today, as her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serves as the firm’s lead broker and owner, working alongside her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany.

For Elyse, tea is a daily ritual that spans from morning until night. Her personal collection, "Elyse Harney’s Selects," offers a window into her preferences. She typically begins her day with brighter, more revitalizing options such as Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha—the latter of which was a personal favorite of her late husband. As the day progresses, she often transitions to oolongs before concluding her evening with calming selections like Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue, or the soothing classic, Chamomile.

Mike Harney: Master Tea Buyer and Vice President

Representing the second generation, Mike Harney serves as the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike spent time managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. He returned to the family fold in 1988, bringing his hospitality background to the world of premium tea.

As the Master Tea Buyer and blender, Mike is responsible for the company’s global reach. His role necessitates extensive travel to meet with tea producers across the world, ensuring that Harney & Sons sources only the highest quality leaves. His expertise is further documented in his 2008 book, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, a work born from his years of professional tasting and blending. For Mike, the appeal of tea lies in "terroir"—the unique environmental factors that impart flavor to the leaves. Because his palate is so deeply conditioned by his career as a taster, he finds it difficult to name a single favorite tea, though his online collection, "Mike Harney’s Selects," highlights those that best exemplify the distinct characteristics of their origins.

Brigitte Harney: Manager and Buyer

The international reach of the Harney family is personified by Brigitte Harney. Born in Suresnes, France, she arrived in the Connecticut area in 1977 to work as an au pair. Through a chance encounter with the Harney family, she eventually met Mike during his internship in France. Their subsequent marriage brought her into the heart of the business, where she currently serves as a manager and buyer.

Brigitte’s tastes are as sophisticated as her background. While she is closely associated with "Brigitte’s Blend"—a delicate marriage of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—her preferences shift according to the season and her mood. She is a long-time admirer of Supreme Breakfast tea, which features a blend of tippy Assam and Hao Ya ‘B’ Keemun. In the cooler months of autumn, she might opt for a Panyang Congou or a Thai Rooibos, while the arrival of warmer weather often sees her reaching for a First Flush Darjeeling, such as the Teesta Valley First Flush.

Paul Harney: The Innovator and Vice President

The second generation also includes Paul Harney, whose role as Vice President is defined by his spirit of innovation. Paul has been the primary architect behind several of the company’s modern milestones, including the expansion into organic, ready-to-drink teas and juices. He was also instrumental in the development of the pyramid sachet packaging, a design choice that provides the convenience of a traditional tea bag while allowing enough space for whole-leaf tea to expand and infuse properly.

Beyond the tea aisle, Paul was a driving force behind the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that leverages the Harney family’s expertise in botanical sourcing to explore the burgeoning hemp industry. His personal tastes reflect a sense of adventure and a deep appreciation for diverse flavor profiles. His favorite tea, Horchata, is a testament to this—a unique blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that pays homage to his personal affinity for Mexican culinary traditions.

Emeric Harney: Third Generation Marketing Director

The transition to the third generation is perhaps best exemplified by Emeric Harney, who grew up in the business. Born in Chicago, Emeric’s "on-the-job training" began when he was just four years old, peeling stickers for tea tins. By the time he was a pre-teen, he was working at the family’s retail shop, gaining experience in everything from gift wrapping to customer service.

Emeric has since taken on a multifaceted role, directing marketing, product development, and brand management. His contributions have been tangible; he famously opened the company’s SoHo store in 2010 and has developed several popular blends, including Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas. His current preferences reflect a refined, modern palate: he often begins his day with a cup of Matcha iri Genmaicha and favors Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Alex Harney: Content and Café Director

Rounding out the family’s leadership is Alex Harney, who serves as the company’s Content Director and Café Director. His earliest childhood memories involve working alongside his grandfather, John Harney, to blend Earl Grey tea by hand—soaking cotton balls with bergamot oil and carefully layering them within the tea leaves.

Alex’s creative footprint is perhaps most visible at the Millerton Café. Since the café’s inception around 2005, Alex has served as its founder and executive chef, curating a menu that spans from artisanal soups to desserts. This creative instinct translates into his work as the company’s director of film and photography, where he helps shape the visual identity of the brand. When it comes to tea, Alex holds a particular appreciation for lightly oxidized oolongs, such as Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, Ali San Oolong, and Qing Ti Quan Yin, as well as the traditional notes of Genmaicha.

As the Harney family looks toward the future, the common thread remains a commitment to the craft. The business has grown from a basement operation into an institution, yet the focus has never wavered from the simple goal of sourcing, sampling, and blending the world’s finest teas. While the family continues to grow, and perhaps a fourth generation will eventually be introduced to the fold, the current members remain dedicated to ensuring that every cup poured for a customer makes their day a little more exceptional. For the Harneys, the story of tea is not just a business history; it is a living, breathing tradition that is constantly evolving, one cup at a time.