{"id":2385,"date":"2026-10-09T14:56:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T14:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2026-10-09T14:56:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T14:56:16","slug":"a-legacy-steeped-in-tradition-the-evolving-story-of-the-harney-sons-family-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=2385","title":{"rendered":"A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: The Evolving Story of the Harney & Sons Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been over four decades since John Harney, guided by the expertise of English expat Stanley Mason, began blending tea in the modest confines of his basement. That humble 1983 startup, Harney & Sons, has since transformed into a globally recognized purveyor of premium tea. Yet, despite the company\u2019s massive growth and international reach, its identity remains firmly rooted in its original foundation: it is, and has always been, a family business. As the generations have passed, the "Sons" in the company\u2019s name have not only grown into their roles but have begun to raise a new generation of Harneys, ensuring that the company\u2019s future is as vibrant as its past.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

To understand the enduring nature of this enterprise, one must look at the individuals who continue to shape its trajectory. From the matriarch who helped launch the company to the third generation now finding their own creative footing, the story of Harney & Sons is a testament to the intersection of passion, tradition, and the evolving nature of the tea industry.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

The Matriarchal Foundation: Elyse Harney<\/h3>\n

At the helm of the family and the company stands Elyse Harney, the President of Harney & Sons. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein\u2019s life has been defined by a commitment to both her family and her professional pursuits. A 1952 graduate of Brooklyn\u2019s St. Joseph\u2019s University, her academic and personal journey eventually led her to marriage with John Harney in 1953. <\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Elyse\u2019s influence on the company goes far beyond her title. She served as a co-founder of the business in 1983, acting as the stabilizing force while John established the brand. Her ambition was further demonstrated in 1987 when she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). This venture grew quickly, becoming a powerhouse agency across the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The success of EHRE provided a vital financial bedrock for the Harney family during the early, uncertain years of the tea business. <\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

The reach of the Harney family enterprise is vast; Elyse\u2019s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, took the reins of EHRE in 2005, serving as the firm’s lead broker and owner. With her husband, Scott, serving as an Operating Broker and their daughter, Brittany, joining the staff, the real estate firm represents another facet of the family\u2019s legacy. For Elyse, who was recently honored by an invitation to serve as the 2026 commencement speaker at her alma mater, St. Joseph\u2019s University, life remains a balance of professional excellence and family commitment. Her personal tea preferences reflect a lifelong refinement, favoring morning brews like Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, and Japanese Sencha, while often winding down her day with Jasmine, Yellow & Blue, or the soothing classic, Chamomile.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Stewardship and Expertise: Mike and Brigitte Harney<\/h3>\n

Representing the second generation, Mike Harney serves as the company\u2019s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer. Following a tenure running the Richmont Hotel in Chicago after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management, Mike joined the family firm in 1988. His role has become synonymous with the company\u2019s global pursuit of quality. As the Master Tea Buyer and blender, Mike travels extensively, building relationships with tea producers worldwide to ensure the company maintains its high standards.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

In 2008, Mike further solidified his role as an industry authority by publishing The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea<\/em>, a work born from his years of sampling thousands of unique teas. This rigorous tasting experience has given him a deep appreciation for the concept of "terroir"\u2014the way a tea expresses the specific environment in which it was grown. Because of this, his personal favorites are constantly shifting, though he remains dedicated to sourcing teas that highlight these distinct environmental characteristics.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

By his side is Brigitte Harney, a Manager and Buyer who has been an integral part of the company\u2019s history. Born in Suresnes, France, Brigitte first came to the Connecticut area in 1977 as an au pair. It was through a chance encounter with the Harney family and a later reunion with Mike during his internship in France that she became a permanent part of the Harney story. Her palate is just as sophisticated, with her preferences ranging from the silken notes of "Brigitte\u2019s Blend"\u2014a mix of Ceylon and Assam\u2014to the robust Supreme Breakfast. Her choices are deeply seasonal; as autumn arrives, she leans toward Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos, shifting to delicate first-flush Darjeelings as the spring air warms.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Innovation and Diversification: Paul Harney<\/h3>\n

If Mike provides the foundational expertise in blending, his younger brother and fellow Vice President, Paul Harney, provides the company\u2019s innovative spirit. Paul has been the primary architect behind many of the brand’s modern expansions, including the development of their line of organic ready-to-drink teas and juices. He was also instrumental in the shift toward pyramid sachet packaging, which allows for the convenience of a traditional tea bag while providing enough space for high-quality, whole-leaf tea to expand and infuse properly.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Beyond the tea business, Paul was a driving force behind the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that leverages the Harney family\u2019s decades of experience in sourcing premium botanicals to navigate the growing market for hemp products. His personal tastes reflect a bold, experimental mindset; he is a noted fan of "Horchata" tea, a unique blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that pays homage to his deep appreciation for Mexican culture and flavors.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

The Third Generation: Emeric and Alex Harney<\/h3>\n

The transition to the third generation of Harneys is already well underway, with Emeric and Alex Harney taking on significant responsibilities. Emeric, serving as Marketing Director, has effectively grown up within the company. From peeling stickers for tea tins as a toddler to working the retail floor as a pre-teen, his immersion in the business was absolute. By 2010, he had successfully launched the Harney & Sons retail store in SoHo, and today, he oversees a broad portfolio that includes brand management, product development, and tea buying. He has also made his mark as a blender, creating popular favorites like Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas. Currently, his morning ritual centers on Matcha iri Genmaicha, though he often reaches for Panyang Congou in the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Alex Harney, serving as Content Director and Caf\u00e9 Director, represents the creative intersection of the family\u2019s hospitality and media efforts. His childhood memories are inextricably linked to the sensory experience of blending Earl Grey with his grandfather, John, using bergamot-soaked cotton balls. This early exposure to the craft evolved into a career in culinary and visual arts. As the founder and executive chef of the company\u2019s Millerton Caf\u00e9, Alex has curated menus that have become a staple of the local community. Beyond the kitchen, he serves as the director of film and photography for the brand, ensuring that the company\u2019s visual storytelling matches the quality of its product. His own palate leans toward the nuanced, specifically lightly oxidized oolongs such as Dong Ding Light and Wenshan Baozhong.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

As the Harney family looks toward the future, they remain committed to the core principles established in that basement four decades ago. While the faces in the office may change and the next generation of Harneys continues to grow, the mission remains constant: to source, sample, and blend the finest teas in the world, making the everyday rituals of their customers feel just a little more exceptional. Whether through the lens of a camera, the development of a new blend, or the careful management of a global supply chain, the Harneys continue to build upon a legacy that is, at its heart, simply about a love for tea.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It has been over four decades since John Harney, guided by the expertise of English expat Stanley Mason, began blending tea in the modest confines of his basement. That humble 1983 startup, Harney & Sons, has since transformed into a globally recognized purveyor of premium tea. Yet, despite the company\u2019s massive growth and international reach, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2384,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[591],"tags":[2266,2210,1005,866,593,595,1006,2209,1137,594,592,922],"class_list":["post-2385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tea-culture-and-ceremonies","tag-evolving","tag-family","tag-harney","tag-legacy","tag-matcha","tag-pu-erh","tag-sons","tag-steeped","tag-story","tag-tea-ceremony","tag-tea-culture","tag-tradition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}