It’s Harney Tribute Day (as proposed by mj1851 in the forums), to honor the passing of John Harney Sr. a couple of days ago. I cannot think of a better tribute to Mr. Harney than this tea, which is the catalyst of my tea obsession.
I’ve told this story before in a tasting note, but I will tell it again: I bought this blend first at the actual Tower of London in 2009. I had gotten out of drinking tea regularly, but I decided the little tagalong tin would make a good souvenir (along with a little mug featuring the Tower ravens in beefeater uniforms!). Turns out that I loved the tea: a bit of bergamot, rich stone fruits, sweet honey. I was really sad because I was sure it would be nearly impossible to get in the States.
Then I looked up the tea company that produced it for Historic Royal Palaces and was shocked to find out that it was an American tea company. Located in NY, where I lived at the time! What a thing! I started exploring their website and their samples, and I fell in love. With Harney & Sons, and with tea in general.
I was going to say that Tower of London is my most logged tea, but that honor (by one note!) actually belongs to another Harney tea, Paris. It helps that I rely heavily on their sachets while traveling. It’s always great to have a tea you love when you are far from home. Thank you, Mr. Harney.
Flavors: Bergamot, Honey, Stonefruit
One of my favorites as well.