Harney & Sons

I’ve had this now more than a few times. I keep intending to make notes, but when I try all I can think is nothing.

The tea bag itself has scent, though I can’t really say what it smells like other than generic flavorings.

Taste wise, its very similar. Its not quite plain tea, you can tell there is flavoring there. But without knowing what’s in the tea, maybe vanilla flavoring is the only thing I might have been able to guess. Given the ingredient list, I almost expected something close to an Oreo vibe. About the only thing I can really name without knowing that ingredient list would be vanilla flavoring. Knowing it, I can kind of see maybe a shortbread vibe, but I wouldn’t have guessed it without. I can’t detect cacao or chocolate at all. This might be due to the fact that cacao nibs take a while to steep well. When I steep cacao husks, its usually a good 5-10m steep and I don’t like to steep tea that long. Chocolate flavoring has never tasted or smelled like chocolate to me.

What does kind of bother me is I just can’t really taste the tea. I know drink flavored teas for the flavors, but I like to taste the base as well.

Its not bad, very smooth and drinkable in fact. But at the same time, there’s just nothing special about it, nothing that really stands out one way or another.

A second steep does ok with an obvious loss in flavor. However anything past that is more slightly flavored water than it is in tea anymore.

I think this is Day 5 of my Barnes & Noble Tea advent calendar? I’ve always been quite fond of chamomile tea and this one was no exception. A smooth and velvety mouthfeel accompanies the strong fragrance and taste of the herbal florals. It almost instantly made me feel more relaxed after a very stressful workday. Something about this specific chamomile felt very luxurious and special. Would definitely recommend for those who already enjoy chamomile.

While there are a lot of benefits to our new office, the tap water tastes like a swimming pool. It took me a few days to realize why everything tasted odd and to work out the best option. (Interrupted by an almost 2 week vacation that I really needed.) Thankfully the filter on the fridge in the break room takes care of that strong chlorine flavor and smell. yay Because of this, I’ve kind of delayed writing notes on some of the new teas I picked up as I wasn’t sure if what I was tasting was accurate. But now I am back.

I’m not usually a fan of British style blends. They so often feel overly harsh. I know they are often meant for addins (milk, sugar, etc) but doing so is really not my thing. I grew up in a house where coffee was drunk black, drank black coffee in the military, and then merged to straight black tea at uni (ultra cheap teabags) and beyond. Adding in that I don’t like to drink calories, I have just never developed the taste for it.

Queen Catherine is an exception.

The smell of the dry leaf is quite interesting but sadly I really can’t put words to it. There might be slight spice and fruity type vibes, but its very slight and not directly identifiable.

Once steeped there seems to be an ever so slight smokey hint. Its barely there and I don’t find it objectionable like I do with so many smokey teas. It also fades into the background with multiple steeps.
It is quite smooth but with character of its own that was missing in the Taiwan Honey Black.
I can get that spice like vibe again, though I couldn’t name any particular spice.
I never get cocoa vibes out of any black teas I drink. I don’t know why and this one is no exception though it goes well with a nibble or two of 100% dark chocolate.
I haven’t the slightest clue what malt tastes like and every tea people describe as malty tastes different to me. So no clue there.
Part of me is thinking my brain is making this up, but I’m almost getting a floral impression as well in the back of the sip. I’m usually turned off by florals, but this is so slight its easy to miss and not objectionable at all.

This resteeps well and honestly I can understand why so many people rave about Queen Catherine in the notes. Whether or not I like this enough to put into my staples rotation, I don’t know yet. But I am very happy I decided to give it a try.

Picked this one up over the holidays from a book store. It seemed like it was a new limited edition H&S blend for winter, and the tin has a cute little snowy animal on it. It smells nice with distinct notes of all three “named” ingredients. Mostly the chocolate and cinnamon, though. Once the water hits the leaf, the cinnamon takes over in a big way. It’s very much giving the vibes of Harney’s notorious Hot Cinnamon Spice blend.

Thankfully, though it’s strongly cinnamon forward, it’s neither cloying nor one-note. If anything, the combination of the more powdery and lightly sweet cocoa with this warming and lightly spiced cinnamon is giving the profile of a Mexican Hot Chocolate, but just with a crisper and gently cooling minty finish. I kind of wish the mint was a bit stronger, but also I’m enjoying the chocolate and cinnamon combination a lot too. It reminds me of an older discontinued DT blend called Cocoa Canella.

This came highly recommended to me after my disappointment with Williamsberg Ginger Cake. Since I got another Harney gift certificate, I felt it was the perfect time to give it a try.

After opening the tin, I wasn’t sure what to think. It didn’t really smell like much I could recognize. However, once I poured hot water over one of the teabags, I could instantly smell ginger. The taste is pretty much all ginger. There might be a bit of clove in there, but I am unsure. However, I am not getting much of any other flavors here. I think a bit of cinnamon and vanilla would be welcome additions but I’m not getting either.

I also think it needs a bit of something more. I tried with with a little piece of stevia sweetened chocolate (another Christmas gift) and yes, I believe some sweetness is exactly what might be missing. As I am one who doesn’t like to put sweeteners in my tea, this is a little disappointing.

I was surprised this came in its original packaging inside a Harney tin that allowed me to play some with Google Translate (which can always be fun).
“Green cicadas drool with sweet fruity aroma”. Accurate as this is a bug bitten tea, but still an amusing translation. :)

Freshly steeped, this is nicely mild and smooth with a soft mouth feel. I don’t really get a honey flavor, but I can see the concept in the aftertaste.

Additional steeps are much the same as the first.

I only have two small complaints. While this is smooth and mild, it doesn’t really have much character of its own either.
Also, its a bit tannic as it goes cold.

Don’t know if I will re purchase. At its current price point of $33 USD for 2oz, its a bit pricy for an every day drinker and I have trouble seeing it as a special time drinker either as its lacking any real character of its own.

I am glad I tried it when I could defer the cost with a gift certificate.

Advent swap tea!
A nice calm cuppa after a full day and a long drive. I typically mix a bit more peppermint in with my chamomile, but this is herbaceous with an apple aftertaste. Another new tea I got to try, thanks Kelmishka!

Advent swap tea!
Unfussy evening brew for a hectic week. I like that Harney just lets the ginger shine, I shoulda tried to brew this one a few more times, luckily I have another tea bag to try that. Thanks Kelmishka!

I was Christmas shopping this weekend and found myself at Chapters/Indigo. Of course I had to go and check out their little tea section to see if there was anything interesting, and I noticed that in addition to the usual H&S blends they had some seasonal flavours too.

I adore the creamy/milky almond notes in Boston so when I saw this advertised as a vanilla and almond white tea I was really interested in if this would be similar. I made a mug when I got home and it was pleasant, but the almond was almost more roasted tasting versus the flavour I’m used to in Boston and it really just didn’t hold a candle. So, that was a bit sad in the moment. However, I’m hopeful that if I retaste this again with more knowledge of what it does taste like then I’ll probably enjoy the profile a lot more.

TTB! This tastes pretty much how you’d expect. I wouldn’t need it again, but I did enjoy that it wasn’t quite as overly smoky as some lapsangs.

My LA based friend, Joey C recommended this blend to me. Lady Grey and Harney’s Earl Grey Supreme have been my go-tos for bergamot, but Winter White is so nice. He enjoys his with orange-blossom honey. I am having “regular” honey from a local apiary in mine. I really enjoy this. It lacks that strong bitterness. Very gentle and lovely. TBH, this is my first white blend. I will be trying others.

This is my favorite tea from the TTB so far, and maybe my favorite tea I’ve ever tried from H&S!! I taste tons of maple on top of a hearty base tea. It’s so desserty! The resteep tasted just as incredible.

From Cameron B!  THANKS SO MUCH On the first sip: “oh wow, I love this tea.”  To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much, as not many people are clambering for tea from Malawi.  My experience with the few Malawi teas I have had have been unmemorable.  But when I poured the water over the leaves, and the brew got quite deep very quickly, I knew it would be closer to my cup of tea than I thought.  The leaves are all different shapes and sizes somehow, though all the same color.  The scent of the dry leaf is very rich and unique.  Maybe hints of deep red fruit.  It distinguishes itself to red plum later on as the cup cools. The flavor, so so good — like a richer, bolder Premium Taiwanese Assam, with hints of honey, rich bread, and also a bit of the fruit that was hinted at in the scent of the leaves.  But it’s also very unique.  I am ALL FOR a richer PTA though!   Lingering flavors like I had just sipped a cup of coffee.  Note to self: that first steep was probably brewed perfectly.  The second and third steeps DID seem like a different tea, were both the same, and a little too harsh and astringent while not being quite as deep of a cup as the first steep.  So, a couple points from the rating for not being a great resteeper… But that first steep!  Golden!  Sadly, I immediately ran to Harney’s site, and it already looks like they don’t offer it anymore.  Of course. :/  This tin, will indeed, be a “treasure” to this particular tea drinker! 
Steep #1 //  1 1/2 teaspsoons for a full mug // 16 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #3 // just boiled // 4-5 minute steep

Not a whole lot of caramel flavor here, citrus and bitter grapefruit, but no sweetness. Not what I expected, its been difficult to sip down this tin.

Another awesome and wonderful package of teas from Cameron B has arrived — thanks very much, Cameron! I have already had this a couple of times since receiving it — one of the reasons is because it is a full tin! Huge healthy looking pieces of green tea here, with an occasional piece of fruit (rhubarb) and an occasional flower petal. The flavor is great — equal parts fruity, floral, and tons of buttery notes from the great sencha base. There is supposedly also lemon here — but I’m glad I am not noticing it. I’d rather it just be red fruits — rhubarb and raspberry (though I have had better raspberry flavor in tea before, but any stronger here and it would probably ruin the blend.) It’s a good blend and I sure will enjoy the tin of it. :)
Steep #1 // 1 1/4 teaspoons for a fully mug // 35 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 25 minutes after boiling // 2-3 minute steep

Sencha Scent Of Mountains. Harney & Sons.
Lot no. 25258. B.B. 09/15/2027.

Prepared 2.5g of the fine, broken, fragrant green leaf-shards as directed: Western style in a stainless steel micropore infusion basket, with 8 oz 175° alpine spring water for 2.5 minutes. This resulted in a vivid gold-colored infusion with a terrific aroma of chestnutty asparagus and a hint of kelp. Some fines escaped my infusion basket, resulting in a slightly turbid appearance, but they soon settled to the bottom of my cup.

Smooth and buttery with a wonderful “chew”, the powerful aroma and flavor, again with a nutty asparagus sensation, permeated my mouth and sinuses. Slurping revealed notes of summer squash and the umami of kelp, yet the tea had neither bitterness nor astringency nor sourness. It gave me the feeling of a pleasant moment of relaxation on a crisp early autumn morning at a rocky jetty overlooking a secluded bay, with sea otters frolicking in the mist. Perhaps this is what a believer feels like when “close to God” (with a smile @ashmanra ) Recommended, I give this a rating of 95. What a nice selection of Sencha Harney is offering at present!

Kagoshima Yutaka Midori (Sencha Blend). Harney & Sons.
Lot no. 25240. B.B. 08/28/2027.
Prepared 2.5g of the slender, bright green needle-like leaf shards as directed: Western style in a stainless steel micropore infusion basket, with 8 oz 175° alpine spring water for 2.5 minutes.

The dry leaf aroma was absolutely captivating: simultaneously of fresh asparagus, chestnut, fresh ocean spray, and an unidentifiable floral element. The best green tea fragrance I’ve experienced. Once steeped, this sencha had a green-golden hue rather like fresh lettuce. Some fines escaped my infusion basket, resulting in a slightly turbid appearance, which gradually settled to the bottom of my cup. In the future, I’ll try a fabric drawstring teabag. Smooth and slightly astringent, with a mouth-coating, buttery texture, the powerful flavor mirrored the fragrance, with notes of summer squash and chestnut, yet was neither bitter nor sour. Such great body and taste, this was like a terrific Dragonwell, amped up a few notches! Recommended, I give this a rating of 95, and will re-order as needed—unless Harney manages to have an even better one on their roster!

What beautiful leaves! They are long and twisted, cocoa brown, with a stem or two, but not as many as you might find in a Taiwanese tea. Gorgeous leaves and worth displaying before steeping if you are serving tea to guests.

The flavor is lovely with fruity notes like raisin and apricot, and a bare hint of sweet potato aroma. It is very nice on its own or with food.

Lost Malawi from Rare Tea Company is cut much finer and is a beloved breakfast blend for me. You steep it at a lower temp and for a shorter time, but it has more smoky flavor and a bit more heft. I don’t add milk or sugar but you could get away with it.

This tea is flavorful but has a different profile than Lost Malawi to me. It is an afternoon delight that is not delicate but is clearly not for breakfast, if that makes sense. It has a suit to wear to your tea party.

I have had a number of Satemwa Estate teas and they have all been excellent..

Sipdown on August 13, 2025

Every now and then we go to World Market to get some guilty pleasure candy bars or cookies. Today’s haul was Tunnock’s Snowballs, a Milka Kuhflecken bar, a RitterSport whole hazelnut and dark chocolate bar, and this tea, which I was shocked to see there.

I have wanted to try it ever since I first saw it hit their website but I have been resisting buying tea. Ashman, however, loves strawberry tea and deserves to try it, right?

I made a pot full strength to try since it is new to us. It was good, although a stronger tea base wouldn’t hurt. It wasn’t a super weak base like their caramel tea was, though.

We resteeped afterward, not combining in my usual way. It was weak to me, but drinkable to Ashman who didn’t mind. A combining of the two steeps immediately would be great for him.

Harney says their teabags are for 8 ounces and sachets are for 12 ounces. The sachet was absolutely full to bursting after steeping! You would have thought I had made an oolong tea.

I decided to tear open the sachets and leave it loose in the tin so that I can overleaf mine just a bit, though he says he will use his usual three teaspoons in the mornings. In the process, I decided to also weigh these on my Upton scale.

Most of the bags were spot on 3.0 grams. A few were a little over, and one was a mere 2.65! The bags along registered at .2 if I remember correctly. The tin is labeled as being 40 grams of tea and was 8.99, but we actually got slightly more tea than that.

It was a decent tea and we will happily drink it. When I buy more strawberry tea it will probably be one of Lupicia’s many. Our favorite ever strawberry tea was discontinued long again – Anna’s Blend by TeaGeschwendner (or Teegeschwendner, depending on what country you are in). How I would love for that lne to make a comeback. It was very similar to Marco Polo by Mariage Freres, but with a tang of yogurt and not at all finicky as MP could be.

Edited to add: I went back and drank the final cup of the resteep after it had cooled and it seemed stronger. I think this will suit us both pretty well.

I forgot how good this flavor is! This is the HT sachet version, which might be the same as other versions listed on Harney’s site, or the several duplicated and mis-spelled entries here on Steepster. At first, years ago, I thought it tasted artificial; really that is just how black currants taste! Even more delicious when taken with nibbles of chocolate-coated Butter Keks. Even though my tin passed the FB date years ago, it retains the wonderful aroma and taste! Oh yea, I can taste the base black tea too, but it’s not the point of this tea. I’ll rate it as 81, and recommend.
Update: Just confirming that it’s also terrific as an iced tea, both sweet and unsweet.

Steeped my second and final bag of this for 3 minutes. Prior notes still hold true, but I find the tea really flat this time. Lacking sparkle. To some extent it’s expected in a straight, unflavored tea, but I simply want better, even from a paper tea bag. Reducing my rating a point, to 59.

Yet another foil-wrapped paper teabag of uncertain age, from the loose-ends bin of a local tea shoppe. Note that this is the classic 100% Chinese keemun version of EB, and not the “HT” or “royal” blends, which contain different base teas. This version is presently also available as silken sachets, loose in tins, or in bulk bags. Also note that Harney sells higher grades of Keemun (see “Mao Feng” and “Hao Ya” offerings).

I steeped as directed: 1 teabag (about 2.2 g leaf) in 8 oz. boiling spring water for 5 min. The dry leaf had a soft aroma of keemun black tea, which became more pronounced when steeped. In the dark amber-colored liquor, I found the particular malty keemun flavor to be gently present, albeit not as fruity or spicy as other premium keemuns I enjoy. This was a strong, thick black tea with a nice long finish, a caffeine punch, and a refreshing astringency. While I might choose this in a pinch, from of an offering of straight black teabags for teatime, I would not again choose a teahouse where this was the best black tea offered. It was free of major defects and certainly an improvement over plain hot water, but only in the same class as Lipton’s “orange pekoe and pekoe cut” black teabags. Not worthy of a silken sachet. I would rate this as 60 and neither recommend nor condemn, but not buy again.

Woo-hoo! This is my 200th tea note!