{"id":2611,"date":"2026-10-11T22:56:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T22:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=2611"},"modified":"2026-10-11T22:56:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T22:56:27","slug":"a-legacy-steeped-in-tradition-meet-the-harney-family-behind-the-tea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/?p=2611","title":{"rendered":"A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: Meet the Harney Family Behind the Tea"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been over four decades since John Harney transformed a passion for tea into a basement-based enterprise in 1983. Guided by the expertise of English expatriate Stanley Mason, the Harney family began a journey that would eventually see their name become synonymous with premium tea across the globe. While the scale of Harney & Sons has grown exponentially since those early days in a small home basement, the heart of the operation remains firmly rooted in family values. Today, the company is more of a family affair than ever before, with multiple generations of Harneys working in harmony to uphold the standards established at the brand\u2019s inception.<\/p>\n

As the company continues to evolve, it is perhaps fitting to pull back the curtain on the current generation of Harneys. This is not merely a list of titles; it is an exploration of the people who dedicate their days to sourcing, blending, and sharing the world\u2019s finest teas. Each member brings a unique perspective, a specialized skill set, and, inevitably, a deeply personal palate that informs the ever-expanding Harney & Sons collection.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Elyse Harney: The Matriarch and President<\/h3>\n

At the helm of the Harney & Sons organization stands Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein, the company\u2019s president and the matriarch of the family. A native of North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse graduated from St. Joseph\u2019s University in Brooklyn in 1952. Her enduring connection to her alma mater remains strong; in a testament to her professional success and community leadership, the university has invited her to serve as the 2026 commencement speaker.<\/p>\n

After completing graduate studies at Columbia University, she married John Harney in February 1953. Together, they became the co-founders of not only a family of four sons and one daughter but also the tea business that would define their legacy. However, Elyse\u2019s entrepreneurial spirit was not confined to the tea industry. In 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). During the critical early years of the tea company, when John Harney was laying the foundation for their future, it was the rapid growth of the real estate firm that provided essential financial stability for the family. <\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Today, EHRE is recognized as a premier agency serving the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The tradition of family involvement persists there as well: Elyse\u2019s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, joined the firm in 2005 and now serves as its owner and lead broker, working alongside her husband, Scott, an operating broker. The inclusion of the next generation\u2014represented by their daughter, Brittany\u2014ensures that the Harney family\u2019s commitment to service continues across both the tea and real estate industries.<\/p>\n

When it comes to her own tea preferences, Elyse enjoys a diverse range of flavors. Her morning ritual often involves Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha\u2014the latter being a personal favorite shared with her late husband. As the day transitions into the afternoon, she favors various oolongs, typically concluding her evenings with Jasmine Tea, the herbal blend Yellow & Blue, or soothing Chamomile, a tisane that John Harney faithfully provided for her throughout their life together.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Mike Harney: Master Tea Buyer and Second Generation<\/h3>\n

The second generation is represented by Mike Harney, who currently serves as the company\u2019s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer. Mike\u2019s journey into the family business was preceded by an education in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration at Cornell University and a tenure managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. In 1988, he officially joined his father\u2019s company, embarking on a career that would take him across the globe.<\/p>\n

As the Master Tea Buyer and blender, Mike is responsible for the rigorous process of sourcing the leaves that grace the cups of Harney & Sons customers. This role demands extensive travel, during which he engages directly with tea producers to identify the highest quality harvests. In 2008, he channeled this deep expertise into writing The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea<\/em>, a book that draws upon his decades of experience sampling and evaluating countless varieties of tea.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Mike describes his favorite teas as those that best express "terroir"\u2014the unique environmental factors, such as climate and soil, that impart distinct characteristics to the leaves. Because his palate has been shaped by the professional necessity of tasting hundreds of teas, he finds it difficult to select a single favorite, preferring instead to highlight the diverse offerings found in the "Mike Harney\u2019s Selects" collection.<\/p>\n

Brigitte Harney: Manager and Buyer<\/h3>\n

The international reach of the Harney family is further solidified by Brigitte Harney, who was born in Suresnes, France. Her path to the Harney family began in 1977 when she arrived in the Connecticut area as an au pair. A fortuitous meeting with the Harney family while visiting a friend of her mother\u2019s set the stage for her future. She and Mike reconnected while he was in France for an internship, and they have been partners in life and business ever since.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Brigitte serves as a manager and buyer, bringing a nuanced perspective to the company\u2019s product offerings. While she is the namesake of "Brigitte\u2019s Blend"\u2014a sophisticated combination of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam\u2014her preferences are fluid, shifting with the seasons and her own moods. She is a frequent fan of Supreme Breakfast, which features Hao Ya \u2018B\u2019 Keemun and tippy Assam. As autumn settles in, she often turns to Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos, while the arrival of warmer weather sees her gravitating toward first-flush Darjeelings, such as the Teesta Valley 1st Flush.<\/p>\n

Paul Harney: The Innovator<\/h3>\n

As the company\u2019s other Vice President, Paul Harney, Mike\u2019s younger brother, is widely regarded as the innovator of the family. His forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in diversifying the Harney & Sons catalog. Paul is the primary architect behind the brand\u2019s line of organic ready-to-drink teas and juices. Furthermore, he was a driving force in the adoption of pyramid sachet packaging, which provides the convenience of a traditional tea bag while allowing sufficient room for whole-leaf tea to expand and circulate in hot water.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Paul also played a pivotal role in the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that leverages the Harney family\u2019s long-standing expertise in premium botanicals to navigate the growing market for hemp products. His personal tastes reflect a sense of adventure; he is a particular fan of Horchata tea, a creative blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that pays homage to his appreciation for Mexican flavors.<\/p>\n

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

The transition to the third generation is well underway, with Emeric and Alex Harney contributing significantly to the modern identity of the brand. Emeric, the Marketing Director, grew up in the business, starting with humble tasks like peeling stickers for tea tins and working in the retail shop as a child. His contributions have been multifaceted, ranging from the development of popular blends like Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas to the successful management of the company\u2019s SoHo retail store. Since 2016, he has been a key figure in marketing, brand management, and product development. Currently, he starts his mornings with Matcha iri Genmaicha and often reaches for Panyang Congou during the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/figure>\n

Alex Harney, the eldest son, serves as the Content Director and Caf\u00e9 Director. His earliest professional memories involve assisting his grandfather in the blending of Earl Grey by soaking cotton balls with bergamot oil. His creativity found a new outlet in 2005 when the company opened a restaurant in Millerton; as the founder and executive chef, Alex developed the menu, spanning from soups and sandwiches to desserts. In addition to his culinary work, he oversees the company\u2019s film and photography departments. A devotee of lightly oxidized oolongs, Alex maintains a personal collection featuring favorites such as Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San Oolong.<\/p>\n

As the Harney family looks toward the future, they remain grounded in the understanding that the tea business is defined by constant change and discovery. While the current lineup of family members is busy sourcing, blending, and refining their offerings to provide an exceptional experience for their customers, the potential for growth remains. With the next generation already making its mark, the story of Harney & Sons is clearly far from finished. For now, the focus remains on the pursuit of the perfect cup\u2014a tradition that continues to bring the Harney family together, one harvest at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It has been over four decades since John Harney transformed a passion for tea into a basement-based enterprise in 1983. Guided by the expertise of English expatriate Stanley Mason, the Harney family began a journey that would eventually see their name become synonymous with premium tea across the globe. While the scale of Harney & […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[591],"tags":[661,2210,1005,866,593,1799,595,2209,594,592,922],"class_list":["post-2611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tea-culture-and-ceremonies","tag-behind","tag-family","tag-harney","tag-legacy","tag-matcha","tag-meet","tag-pu-erh","tag-steeped","tag-tea-ceremony","tag-tea-culture","tag-tradition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611","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=2611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orientalplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}