A Steeped Legacy: Inside the Generations Behind Harney & Sons Tea

The story of Harney & Sons is not merely a chronicle of global tea distribution; it is a profound narrative of family perseverance, adaptation, and the evolution of a brand that began in a modest basement. For decades, the Harney family has balanced the delicate art of sourcing premium leaves with the rigors of running a multi-generational business. While the company has grown from its humble 1983 origins—when founder John Harney honed his craft under the mentorship of English tea expert Stanley Mason—into an international name, it remains a family-run enterprise at its core. Today, the business is managed by a dynamic mix of the original founders and their descendants, illustrating how a shared passion for tea can weave through the fabric of three generations.

The Matriarch and the Foundation of Success

At the helm of the Harney & Sons legacy is Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein, the company’s president and the matriarch of the family. Her journey began long before the first tea tin was packed in a basement. A native of North Bergen, New Jersey, and a 1952 graduate of Brooklyn’s St. Joseph’s University, Elyse’s intellectual and professional rigor set the tone for the family’s future endeavors. Her connection to her alma mater remains strong; indeed, the university recently honored her with an invitation to serve as their 2026 commencement speaker.

After marrying John Harney in 1953 and pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University, Elyse became the bedrock of the family’s dual-pronged business success. In 1983, she co-founded Harney & Sons, providing the essential support and business acumen required to turn a basement operation into a viable enterprise. Yet, her professional contributions extended well beyond the tea industry. In 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). This agency not only helped stabilize the family’s finances during the nascent years of the tea business but also flourished into a prominent fixture of the real estate landscape across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

The tradition of family involvement is a hallmark of the Harney approach. Elyse’s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, joined the real estate firm in 2005 and currently serves as its lead broker and owner. With her husband, Scott, serving as an operating broker, and their daughter, Brittany, representing the next generation of the firm’s employees, the family’s commitment to building lasting institutions is evident. For Elyse, tea remains a daily ritual that bridges her professional and personal life. Her current favorites reflect a refined palate, ranging from the morning delicacy of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha, to the evening calm provided by Jasmine, Yellow & Blue, or the traditional Chamomile tisane that John Harney introduced to her years ago.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

As the company moved into its second generation, the roles of leadership were assumed by those who had grown up immersed in the industry. Mike Harney, serving as Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents this transition. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike initially managed the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. He joined the family business in 1988, bringing with him a professional discipline that would prove crucial to the company’s growth.

Today, Mike’s role as Master Tea Buyer takes him across the globe, where he engages directly with tea producers to ensure that Harney & Sons maintains its high standards. His expertise is documented in his 2008 book, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, which serves as a testament to his years spent sampling and cataloging the complexities of various leaves. His appreciation for "terroir"—the environmental factors that impart specific characteristics to a tea—drives his selection process. His wife, Brigitte, plays a vital role as well, serving as a manager and buyer. Her own story is deeply intertwined with the company’s history; having moved from Suresnes, France, to the Connecticut area in 1977 as an au pair, she met the Harney family during her stay. Her influence on the company is reflected in "Brigitte’s Blend," a sophisticated mix of silvery Ceylon and tippy Assam, though she remains versatile in her preferences, often favoring Supreme Breakfast tea or seasonal selections like Panyang Congou and first-flush Darjeeling.

The second generation is also represented by Paul Harney, the company’s other Vice President. Paul has distinguished himself as the firm’s primary innovator. His vision has been instrumental in expanding the Harney & Sons product line into the ready-to-drink market with organic teas and juices. Furthermore, Paul spearheaded the introduction of pyramid sachet packaging. This innovation was designed to solve the perennial problem of tea bag limitations; by offering a larger, more porous container, the sachets allow whole-leaf tea to expand fully, providing a superior brewing experience that rivals traditional loose-leaf methods. Paul’s creative output is also seen in his role as a driving force behind The Hemp Division, a sister company launched in 2018 that utilizes the family’s expertise in premium botanicals to navigate the growing market for hemp products. His personal tea preferences, such as the Horchata tea—a blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon—often mirror his eclectic interests and love for global flavors.

The Third Generation: Continuity and Modernization

The future of Harney & Sons is already being shaped by the third generation, led by figures like Emeric Harney and Alex Harney, who have transitioned from childhood observers to key operational leaders. Emeric, the company’s Marketing Director, has been part of the business since he was a young child, starting with tasks as simple as peeling stickers for tins before graduating to retail sales in his early teens. His career has been marked by a series of strategic milestones, including the successful launch of the company’s SoHo store in 2010. Since moving into marketing in 2016, Emeric has helped modernize the brand’s image, overseeing product development and brand management. His own palate leans toward a blend of traditional and modern, currently favoring Matcha iri Genmaicha for a morning boost and Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Alex Harney, the oldest son, serves as the Content Director and Café Director, bridging the gap between the company’s historical roots and its modern digital presence. His earliest memories involve working alongside his grandfather, John, to scent tea with bergamot oil for Earl Grey. This early hands-on experience translated into a career that encompasses both culinary arts and visual storytelling. When the company expanded its retail presence in Millerton, New York, in 2005, Alex became the founder and executive chef of the onsite café, crafting a menu that defines the location’s culinary identity. Beyond the kitchen, he acts as the director of film and photography, ensuring the brand’s visual narrative remains as carefully curated as its tea blends. His preference for lightly oxidized oolongs, such as the Dong Ding Light and Wenshan Baozhong, reflects a deep appreciation for the subtleties of tea processing.

As the Harney family looks toward the future, they remain committed to the principles that guided John Harney in 1983. The business has expanded significantly, yet the core of their operation remains centered on the act of sourcing, sampling, and blending the finest teas available. The growth of the family—and the inevitable introduction of future generations—suggests that this cycle of innovation and stewardship will continue. For now, the Harneys continue their work with a quiet confidence, knowing that the strength of their company lies in the continuity of their shared heritage. Through every cup served and every new blend developed, they aim to ensure that their customers find the extraordinary in the everyday.