Harney & Sons

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Recent Tasting Notes

85

This tea is the current feature in the rotating cabinet of drinks I keep at my desk. Each morning starts with anywhere from 1-3 energy drinks, and eventually the workday dwindles down to a sachet of whatever tea is visiting at the time, but each cup is at the mercy of my best attempt to estimate a reasonable ratio of boiling hot water tempered with cold tap water since I don’t have a kettle with temperature control and am thereby consigned to basic breakroom amenities. Today, however, I pocketed a few sachets to enjoy at home. 1 sachet at 175F forgotten for three minutes and my cup is just blooming with the smell of warm french vanilla frosting finely tapered by a touch of lemon. Light-bodied but faintly buttery, it’s a perfect reminder that work is temporary, but tea is also temporary – tea is just much more enjoyable and maybe after work, you can have cake.

While the rose petals impart a flavor if not subtle then perhaps entirely absent, it’s difficult to distinguish this from the astringency of this tea at the back of the sip. The dry, almost gently peppery sensation lingering in my mouth evokes memories of being at a cocktail bar with a friend and daring him to eat the bitter, aromatic petals off the bouquet in front of us, until of course we were both prompted to part ways unexpectedly early in various states of gastrointestinal discomfort. Unfortunately, this is a betrayal I have yet to receive from Wedding Tea and have not been forced to truncate any workdays with thanks to it.

Flavors: Butter, Cake, Frosting, Lemon, Vanilla

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 3 min, 0 sec 12 OZ / 354 ML

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85
drank Genmaicha by Harney & Sons
7 tasting notes

I purchased genmaicha as a huge gamble due to my dodgy past with Japanese green teas, which I’ve come to see as the rough neighborhood I’m frequently chased out of by prowling vegetable notes and buttery flavors – a statement of preference rather than quality. That said, though my relationship with drinking veggies is unstable, my standing when it comes to rice is certain, and if there’s one thing I like more than rice, it would have to be the premium, charred rice crust I get to chip out of the bottom of the saucepan after I make rice for the simple reason that I do not know how to make rice but insist upon doing so. For this reason, genmaicha stood out as a dubious beacon of hope, but a beacon of hope nonetheless.

A whiff of the leaves did nothing to quell my reservations, evoking a somewhat grassy profile that was faintly dry and saline but unmistakably vegetal. Still, the splintery green leaves were richly interspersed with promising, amber nuggets of puffed rice and even some small, white popcorn-looking morsels that renewed my interest. The dusty breath exuding from the tin conjured a colorful suggestion that the best may be yet to come, specifically because the best is possibly locked in this bancha’s stuffy basement begging to be let out. So we return to the sketchy kitchen scale for a rough estimate of 6 grams of leaf (4 tsp volumetrically) dosed in 12 oz of 175F water for 3 minutes. The smell of the tea as it steeped is where everything changed – this was the puffed rice tea of my dreams.

Finally let out of its cage, the delectable, toasted scent of the rice has the ball! It’s mowing down any other flavors in its path! It tramples green tea underfoot! It’s broken into the end zone! Or something like that, I don’t know sports. The savory touchdown is nothing short of Orville Redenbacherian and it’s everything I could have hoped for. Though this tea rapidly grows bitter after its allotted three minute soak, as one might expect, the steeped kernels of brown rice are soft and too pleasant to waste and I must restrain myself from eating them all before the resteep.

Are there limits to this ambitious blend? Is there a law restricting me from adding more rice? How much rice can I add before surpassing the threshold of genmaicha and encroaching into congee territory? Tune in next week for answers to all these and more. As always, this has been Monday, and I am your host.

Flavors: Grass, Popcorn, Rice, Vegetables

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 3 min, 0 sec 4 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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80

I told myself I would save this tea for another day, but lies wear many robes. This robe looked like a spontaneous trip to Target (where I also told myself I would buy NO TREATS!) to take my mind off the tin of plump, happy buds waiting for me. Inevitably, I would get home and allow an ample three minutes for me to sink back again into the depths of boredom and ultimately give in to temptation. What can I say? I can’t resist a snappy dresser.

In the dry buds I immediately noticed a bright aroma that caused me to say out loud in disbelief, “Coriander? Is that you?”. (I consulted my kitchen spice rack for confirmation – I can hardly recognize my old friend.) This largely dissipates into a nose that is more vegetal and floral as it steeps, but the spark is somewhat retained in the wet, tough buds, which have a strikingly bitter taste. Though the vendor listing predicts a thin, diminutive body likened to water for the steep – by no means a bad thing in my book – its arrival is accompanied by a certain, faint, buttery quality that sits sweetly on the tongue long after it’s swallowed.

Ordinarily I approach “vegetal” descriptors with caution, as they’re not my favorite with respect to teas, but as a recent and a zealous convert to the Cult of Cabbage, I profess to some partiality on behalf of your commentator, and I find it to be balanced and mild otherwise. Perhaps that will change as I let it steep into infinity. Additionally, the flavor of the buds is so pronounced in comparison to the tea itself that it seems unfair to consume them together, so I might strain this one in the future to give it a fighting chance.

For the second steep, time to put the screws on Chinese Silver Needle. I subjected it to 200F and was rewarded with a much more uniformly saccharine profile. On the other hand, the steeped buds persist in being unbearable – blech!

Flavors: Butter, Cabbage, Coriander, Floral, Sweet, Vegetables

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 8 min or more 3 g 12 OZ / 354 ML
ashmanra

Welcome back to Steepster! The dashboard is stuck…again…but will be up and running soon, we hope.

"Youngest"

Thank you! Good to be back. I don’t think I broke the dashboard, but I’ve broken just about every instrument I touch at work so I wouldn’t rule it out.

Martin Bednář

“Youngest” I also break everything I touch, but Steepster isn’t my fault this time. So I am pretty sure you’re clean too :D

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85

As a tea barbarian, I’ve braved the slings and arrows of young adult life leaning on flavored teas prepared so recklessly and uncaringly as to taste less pleasant and complicated than the concerningly flavorful supply of tap water in which it was made. This is a sure way to forget what tea tastes like, why it should be consumed, or what the meaning of life may be. Changing that begins with two things, and those are, firstly, a tea whose only flavors are the ones god gave it, and secondly, the ultimate symbol of status and sophistication: one faithful Brita filter to moderate the charming savor of PFAs.

The vendor says 175F so that’s what I gave it. It’s just as agreeable at 200F. The actual weight of tea used is anybody’s guess, including my kitchen scale’s, which seems to be notably receptive to the suggestion of minor adjustments to the position of the leaves on it. “3 grams? Or maybe 4 grams. What do you think? I guess it could be 2. 5 grams if you insist.” Assuming the FDA isn’t stopping in for a cup, I imagine that will do fine.

This tea is delicious after steeping for 3 minutes, but it’s also delicious after steeping for 2 days, so there’s that. It brews up crisp and clear, revealing a mellow tint of marigold the longer you let it play. The understated aroma of citrus and spices is a preview of the taste – each sip a gentle cruise over smooth waters scintillating with unexpected sweetness. The whole, unbroken buds are delightfully soft before steeping, like eager little ferrets in silky cashmere sweaters. I never strain these out because they’re a playfully bitter and irresistibly tender little snack, and anyway it would be a crime not to challenge this tea in all its forms through its own veritable Crucible of steeping abuses like a fresh recruit of the United States Marine Corps. I have a feeling this tea would come through just fine if you steeped it in a grease fire.

Flavors: Citrus, Spices, Sweet

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 8 min or more 3 g 12 OZ / 354 ML
gmathis

I smiled all the way through this review! I have never gotten the hang of tea that’s too fussy to take water on the full boil. This sounds like it might stand a chance at my house.

ashmanra

As much as Ashman loves white tea, I have never bought this one. Maybe I should. (He has had lots of Teavivre white tea, though.)

"Youngest"

No subthreads to reply to specific comments I see. :‘) We’re really roughing it out here.

Leafhopper

Nice to see you back on Steepster! I also have a soft spot for those fuzzy buds. :)

Martin Bednář

Welcome back! And maybe one day you will be not anymore tea barbarian :)

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74

This blend is quite nice, I am trying to limit my caffeine a teenie bit, (600 mg a day is a bit much), but this doesn’t hit the spot like the original. Though, I am quite curious how it cold brews.

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25
drank Tokyo by Harney & Sons
135 tasting notes

Waaayyy too sweet for me! The “Caramel flavor” clubs you over the head. The ingredients as listed are: Green tea, toasted sesame seeds, caramel flavor. I don’t know what is in that caramel flavor but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is an artificial sweetener. It tastes like it. We are drinking it just because it is a green and we rocket through tea when fasting. Fasting sharpens your sense of taste and smell; I am at the end of a 72 hour fast and the sweetener taste in this tea is too much. Not buying again.

Flavors: Artificial, Bitter, Sweet

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp

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55

I received a sample with an order. It’s an average green tea, and I could not detect any citrus notes. I also couldn’t detect any benefit of the gingko on this very short run of use (takes longer, I’m certain). I guess it wasn’t the worst green tea I’ve had, but I wouldn’t choose it either.

Flavors: Dry Grass

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85
drank Apricot by Harney & Sons
2 tasting notes

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79

Generally I tend to avoid tea bags but I just wanted a super simple cup this morning. And being that we are in a hotel they had a tea bag. I was glad to see Harney instead of the usual ugly choices they give. I quite enjoy Chinese Keemuns. Creaminess mixed with woodiness to top off thus first not raining, not super windy morning on the Big Island. But you just gotta go with the flow. Enjoy every moment. It’s even more enjoyable with a nice cup of tea

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75

Sipdown

A very vanilla heavy Earl Grey. I had two cups this morning! Once before a workout, and once afterwards. The second had a bit of oat milk to brighten the vanilla a little more.

Flavors: Creamy, Vanilla

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73

This tea is so moody! Sometimes I like but sometimes the bitter tendencies creep up on me. My recent sampling of this tin was not as enjoyable as it sometimes is. It is so inconsistent how this turns out! I refer to blame “user error” which is common sense.

ashmanra

Gosh, I am torn! It sounds good but I also think it might be too much citrus for me. I wonder how it would be as sweet iced tea?

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37

I’m pretty sure this is what a trapper in the 1800’s drank. Smells like a miso soup. Tastes like the inside of a cabin with little ventilation. Transported me to an opium den I had no interest in being in .

Flavors: Jasmine, Meat, Salty, Smoke

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68
drank Decaf Ceylon by Harney & Sons
9 tasting notes

This has been sitting in my stash for probably 5 years now. I got a little sample sachet with a Harney & Sons order ages ago and it’s been relegated to the bottom of my tea drawer ever since. I’m sure the leaves took some crush damage over the years, but oh well.

I’m not a fan of tea sachets so I cut it open and brewed this in a basket. Well water straight from the tap, guestimating roughly 185°F.

It was surprisingly flavorful for a decaf black, particularly Ceylon. I’ve tried a few before and wasn’t impressed, though Harney & Sons is my first venture into a loose leaf decaf.

I made this with a touch of sugar and cream, but went very very light on the cream. I was afraid I’d end up with milk that has notes of tea instead of tea with a little milk. It handles it pretty well though. In my experience, Ceylon’s don’t usually handle milk that well in the first place and that makes it extra impressive to me that this decaf is holding up. It’s quite fruity and sweet (tasted before cream & sugar.)

I was craving some black tea but didn’t want to go overboard with the caffeine right before bed and this turned out to be a pretty good choice.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 g 8 OZ / 250 ML
ashmanra

We keep this on hand for evenings when we really want black tea but need to be able to sleep, too! It is pretty good at satisfying the craving.

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73

From Kawaii433 a while back!  Thanks so much!  I recently saw a hojicha genmaicha mentioned, so I remembered that this is the closest thing I have to that flavor profile.  I’m surprised there aren’t more roasted genmaichas around!  That seems like an obvious combination rather than with fresh green tea.  The flavor here isn’t as quite as amazing as I would wish it to be, as it is mostly stems and not true hojicha.  But there ARE some flavorful stems available out there.  But these aren’t those.   I will definitely be on the lookout for a more flavor filled  genmaicha hojicha though!
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for full mug // 22 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 8 minutes after boiling // 10 min

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drank Apricot by Harney & Sons
1440 tasting notes

This one has really great reviews, so naturally I was intrigued. There is a definite apricot flavour here, very forthcoming and true. However, there is a perfume-y scent which is ruining the flavour for me. It’s hard to get past as it fills my nose when I go to take a sip of the tea. If only the flavour could remain, and the scent could be dropped.

gmathis

Been a long time since I’ve had this, but I remember loving it.

Courtney

You’re more than welcome to some of mine, if you’re interested to try it again. :)

ashmanra

Perhaps if you air it out briefly, the aroma will be more palatable to you! I love this one. They also have an apricot white that is pretty good.

Courtney

I have tried (but only for maybe an hour), but I shall air it out a bit more!

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81

So this was the other tea mishap of the day!  Being indecisive I just threw this one in the mug, thinking it was a plain green (the wrapper just says “Green”), but it has citrus and gingko, making this the second gingko tea of the day!  I didn’t even know I had two gingko teas around.  It was pretty good though!  Plenty of flavor while not drowning out the green tea of the blend.

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90
drank Paris by Harney & Sons
4 tasting notes

My favorite “dessert” tea. It has such warm notes, smells of bergamot, citrus and flowers. A smidge of creamer and sugar makes this one of the best blends I have ever experienced.

Flavors: Bergamot, Citrus, Floral

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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85

A comforting autumn after-dinner tea. Should be enjoyed sip by sip, since the flavour is not noticeable if drunk too quickly. The pumpkin flavour is noticeable but mild, as some may prefer.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 4 g 12 OZ / 354 ML

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90

I had a lovely cup of this over the holidays at my SILs cabin in the wilds of Virginia…it was just wonderful, the spiced molasses flavor strong, but not too strong. perfect for a cold winter afternoon right after a hike up a mountain.

Flavors: Cinnamon, Molasses, Orange, Spices

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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62

This seemed like a good tea to try, both my dad and I like Keemun, but this tea is blah. A fair example of Keemun, but we’ve both tasted better and I won’t need to purchase this again. It’s not bitter, and would be a good tea to blend with.

ashmanra

I bought this years ago, maybe more than once and back in my milk and sugar days, but it really doesn’t have any wow factor on its own. Premium Keemun Hao Ya from Teavivre is more to my liking.

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74
drank Mint Verbena by Harney & Sons
2285 tasting notes

Free sample from my last order. The mint is quite fresh! This is tasty cold, though not special enough to order.

ashmanra

They send this as my free sample SO OFTEN.

AJRimmer

Ha I feel like I always get their English breakfast! Which is tasty, so I don’t mind!

ashmanra

I get the Organic English Breakfast in my samples basket from my last order right now! I like it better now that I know how to treat it for better flavor!

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