Friday, December 14, 2012

Our Blog Has Moved!!



Don't fret, tea fans!
We will still be keeping tea drinkers in-the-know every week, just from a different domain!

Check out our Flights of Teas posted on http://www.harney.com/blog/
Look for the postings that are titled "SOHO SHOP."





If you haven't yet, 'Like' our Facebook page! You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram!


See you there!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Flight of Teas! November 17th & November 18th


The holiday season has begun, tea fans! This weekend, as you and your loved ones are planning your Thanksgiving festivities, don’t forget the most important part-the tea! Stop by our tasting bar to sample a flight of teas selected to compliment your Turkey Day turkey & garnishes. This weekend we are serving Genmaicha, Earl Grey Supreme, and Pumpkin Spice.



Genmaicha, a Japanese green tea, is a favorite amongst tea enthusiasts. During the process of the green leaves drying, rice kernels are added. The kernels tend to get crispy and some burst open, creating the white puffed rice that is noticeable in the blend. With a lighter body, Genmaicha has a toasted flavor. Brew this tea to be served with appetizers that are more sweet than savory to create a complimenting balance for the taste buds.


For the Earl Grey lover, this blend is truly exceptional. Earl Grey Supreme is blended with a higher grade tea base, a good amount of Bergamot, and  Silver Tips. With the Bergamot adding a citrus kick, the bold body and overall brew are perfect for an after-dinner slice of pie or fruit platter.


Introducing one of our newest  blends, Pumpkin Spice! Based with Rooibos Herbal, we blend pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to create a seasonal favorite. Because this is herbal (no caffeine), one can enjoy this sweet and spicy tea any time of the day! Bring out this blend with desserts to end your wonderful celebration.






Friday, November 9, 2012

Flight of Teas! November 10th and November 11th

Emeric Harney, our GM and third generation-Harney, has returned from an inspiring trip to Japan. In excitement over his return, we are celebrating with a flight of teas inspired by his journey! Come try our green flight of Matsuda's Sencha, Kukicha, and Tokyo Blend. 




Matsuda's Sencha embraces everything a cup of green tea should be: rich aroma, flavor, and history. A great tea man, Matsuda-san, and his family's hard work come through with the perfect picked leaves of this Japanese tea.




Though green teas are typically know for their caffeine-levels, Kukicha is lower in caffeine due to its leaves being the stalks, which carry less in regards to the brewed leaves. With a mellow flavor, this tea has created a large fan-base, providing a gentler vegetal flavor and yellow body that tea drinkers indulge in.



We take our classic Bancha tea and add flavors inspired by Japan's capital city, Tokyo. With toasted sesame seeds and caramel, this light-bodied brew is reminiscent of some of the most exquisite desserts Japan has to offer. 






Roppongi Hills Dean & DeLuca Tasting Event

Matsuda's Garden



Japanese tea masters Tsuyoshi-san and Matsuda-san.


Saturday, November 3, 2012

Flight of Teas! November 3rd & November 4th

We are open as of today, Saturday November 3rd, post-Sandy turmoil! We hope that all New Yorkers & New Jersey-ans are recovering well and we would love to share some hot tea with all of you at our tasting bar and cafe. Though we have limited food items to serve today in the cafe, we promise the best of tea to be had! Our flight for the weekend is Winter White Earl Grey, Green Hot Cinnamon, and African Autumn. 



Taking our classic Chinese Mutan White and blending it with refreshing lemony Bergomot, Winter White Earl Grey is a play on the traditional black Earl Grey. Its lighter body and brew compliment any sweet foods or sweet moments!



One of our newer versions of our top selling Hot Cinnamon Spice, this green tea blend is sweet, spicy, and has a lot of caffeine! Get your dose of antioxidants and fix your sweet cravings with Green Hot Cinnamon



Though almost all the leaves have fallen and winter is on the horizon, African Autumn is the perfect blend for that citrus kick complimented with cranberries. It is Rooibos based, making it an herbal blend, so don't be afraid to enjoy cup after cup late into these crisp evenings.


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Flight of Teas! October 27th & October 28th

It seems like time is flying this Fall season, but we are now more than ever in the mood for a hot cup of tea! This weekend we are sampling some store favorites: Scent of Mountains Sencha, Golden Monkey, and Soba Roasted Buckwheat.



Sencha Scent of Mountains is one of the most popular Japanese greens our store provides. It has a strong vegetal aroma and flavor that matches it's bright green brew. Its medium body carries the flavors of spinach and grassy notes, while there's a hint of sweet flavor at the end. An instant favorite and necessity for green tea drinkers.



Because of the golden tips woven into its leaves, Golden Monkey produces a smooth cup of black tea. Coming from the Fujian Province in northern China, the body of the black tea isn't too heavy with notes of honey to compliment its brew. An alternative for the breakfast tea drinker, Golden Monkey is an excellent brewed tea, alone or with a little milk.




There is nothing better than a cup of Soba Roasted Buckwheat on a chilly Fall night. Its toasty, warm flavor is satisfying and settling. A benefit is that this herbal has no caffeine! Enjoy this cup as late into the cold night as you desire. 



Thursday, October 18, 2012

Flight of Teas! October 20th & October 21st

Fall is a season of flavors. Flavors that are warm like cinnamon spices or toasty like nuts and grains. For this weekend, we are embracing these flavors within our flight. We will be pouring Apple Cinnamon, Matcha iri Genmaicha, and our new Pumpkin Spice blend.


Reminiscent of a New England Fall, Apple Cinnamon is black tea blend that warms the soul with its flavors of sweet red apples and cinnamon. Blended by Emeric Harney, it is a tea that fits the mood after apple-picking or taking a stroll to admire the foliage.


Matcha iri Genmaicha is a Bancha-based Japanese green tea blend. It is a blended with roasted brown rice and Matcha powder (a green tea powder that can be expensive and is part of tradition in Japan.) It is a convenient way to get a dose of Matcha, while enjoying a toasty aroma & vegetal flavor. Perfect for that crisp Fall morning when getting a serving of caffeine, antioxidants, and flavor!


Introducing our new Pumpkin Spice blend! A Rooibos-based blend flavored with pumpkin, sweet clove, and nutmeg. When brewed, the aroma is sweet like pumpkin pie, but the flavor is mellow and just the right amount of spice to warm the soul on those cold October nights. Enjoy our new caffeine-free blend, currently available in 20 count sachets.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Flight of Teas! October 13th & October 14th

Hey all! This weekend we are offering a sale on our two of our teas featured in the flight. Come in and sample our Luan Guapian, Dong Ding Dark, and Top Chingwo Congou.




Considered in the Chinese culture as one of the top ten green teas, Luan Guapian comes to us from the Anhui Province. Brewing a lighter body, its mellow vegetal notes make it a tea to appreciate.





An oolong finished with a charcoal roast, Dong Ding Dark has a unique smokiness that is quite different from that of teas such as Da Hong Pao and Lapsang Souchong.  As the name would suggest, this oolong lies within the darker part of the oolong tea spectrum. With a brew on the lighter side, oolong-lovers & novices alike will love the aroma and essence Dong Ding Dark provides.

*On sale this weekend- $15.00 per tin.






Coming from the northern Fujian Province from a neighboring town near Panyang,  Top Chingwo Congou is an excellent black tea. Its strong body with a hint of fruit makes for a fast favorite amongst black tea drinkers. 

*On sale this weekend- $20.00 per tin

Friday, October 5, 2012

Climate Change & Tea, An Event...

Please join us, October 12th, 2012 at our SoHo location for a celebration of Harney & Sons' partnership with 1% of the Planet and Clean Air-Cool Planet.






There will be cocktails and appetizers to enjoy, while guests will hear commentary from the following:

Mike Harney, Vice President of Harney & Sons

Adam Makhan, President of Clean Air-Cool Planet

Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% for the Planet

&

Selena Ahmed, Tea & Climate Change Scientist at Tufts University. 




The event will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

We look forward to seeing you.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Flight of Teas! October 6th & October 7th

This weekend, we will be featuring some lovely Oolongs alongside a tart Tisane. Come stop by the tasting bar to sample Bai Hao Oolong, Li Shan Oolong, & Peach Fruit.


Bai Hao Oolong comes from Taiwan. It's twisted leaves carry a stoned-fruit aroma, and it is a medium body brew. This tea will be appreciated by those who enjoy a more oxidized oolong tea.



Being one of Taiwan's highest mountain teas, Li Shan is an oolong that sometimes battles the cold temperatures and frequent mists. Because of this, the rolled leaves brew a cup with delectable notes of honey and cream. 


Peach Fruit is one of our more requested tisanes. Its base is simple- dried fruit, hibiscus, and rose hips. It's tart brew is excellent hot or over ice.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Flight of Teas! September 29th & September 30th

As September comes to a close, we feel that the tea drinking palette is adjusting to a colder temperature. To compliment this, we are serving three exquisite black teas this weekend. Come sample and enjoy our Panyang Golden Tips, Panyang Golden Needle, & Chocolate black tea.


With a sweet flavor reminiscent of cooked honey, Panyang Golden Tips is a Chinese black tea (coming from the northern Fujian Province) that has large leaves that are loaded with golden tips. A softer choice for a breakfast brew, this black tea is an excellent choice for the appreciative tea drinker.



Similar to Panyang Golden Tips, our Panyang Golden Needle has a flavor similar to chocolate mousse, with a smoky edge finish. Another great choice for black tea drinkers, it's less intense than a breakfast tea but still carries enough body to awaken the senses.





Sweet lovers, rejoice! We have a dessert tea that will not only calm down your sweet tooth, but can be enjoyed even as an afternoon delight. Our Chocolate tea is black-tea based with the perfect amount of chocolate flavor. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Flight of Teas! September 22nd & September 23rd

Tea drinkers, it's becoming our favorite time of year! The air is a bit crisper, the winds slightly breezier, and we are excited to get back into the groove of brewed hot teas. This weekend, come by our tasting bar to try a slightly smoky flight: Wuyi Cassia, Lapsang #1, & Earl of Harlem. There's nothing better than welcoming the season of fall with some excellent black teas.




Being a darker oolong, Wuyi Cassia comes from China, specifically the Wuyi Mountain area. Its larger, twisted leaves are finished over a charcoal carrying a medium body of toasty flavors, tied with an aroma of stoned fruit.




Lapsang #1 is an early season black tea, tasting sweeter than our traditional Lapsang Souchang. Being smoked in the same way as Souchang, this black tea carries the aroma of the smoky pine fires in each cup.




The Earl of Harlem is a new take on a classic blend. This black tea holds bergamot notes of a familiar Earl Grey, but also a kiss of floral and undertones of smokiness. Without a doubt, this black tea blend doesn't only taste like home to chef Marcus Samuelsson (whom the Ambessa line was created with,) but will make any classic tea drinker's taste buds awaken.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Flight of Teas! September 15th & September 16th

This weekend, we are taking a moment to appreciate some classic tea & tea blends. Come by our tasting bar to sample Matcha iri Genmaicha, Satishpur Chunky, & Organic Rooibos.



Taking a classic and giving it a kick, Matcha iri Genmaicha is a tea blend of Japanese green tea, toasted rice, and Matcha powder. Providing a heavier body, the roasted flavor compliments the vegetal bite. This tea is an excellent way to get your daily dose of Matcha without the whisk!




In comparison to our other Assams, even the Satishpur Broken, this black tea is considered lighter in brew and body. Satishpur Chunky has a malty aroma and slight astringency, but is the perfect match for the Assam-tea drinker. It takes milk well, but isn't as overwhelming as other Assams can be.




Rooibos, translating into "Red Bush," comes from Africa. Naturally decaffeinated, this red tea can appeal to the tea drinker who prefers less caffeine, whether it is at night or during the afternoon. Rooibos carries health properties, brewing a red color with slightly sweet flavors. It is the base tea for many of our Herbal Blends, including Herbal Hot Cinnamon and African Autumn.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Flight of Teas! September 8th & September 9th

It's the weekend of Fashion Week and here at the shop we are feeling stylish! This last Thursday, September 6th, singer Shontelle debuted her new shoe line with CAT footwear at our store, along with a performance and models showcasing the footwear and the new Harney & Sons t-shirt line, Heritage. This weekend, we are pouring Shontelle's favorite teas: Love Life, SoHo Blend, and Hot Cinnamon Spice!






This Bancha-based tea was inspired by GMHC, (an organization fighting to end the AIDS epidemic) creating a fruity and refreshing blend desirable hot or iced. We took strawberries, coconuts, puffed rice, and vanilla and blended it with green tea, brewing a light but lovely cup of Love Life. 50% percent of sales of this tea will be donated back to GMHC. 




SoHo Blend was created in honor of our shop in Manhattan, blended by Emeric Harney (the general manager.) This flavored black tea has wonderful notes of coconut, chocolate, and vanilla while its decorated with Amaranth flower pedals. A wonderful choice for a dessert tea, SoHo Blend has become a fast favorite.




Our top selling black tea blend, Hot Cinnamon Spice, is a strongly-flavored black tea that will awaken your taste buds! With three types of cinnamon, clove, and orange peel, this sweet brew is convincing to anyone that there is sugar in the tea, but in fact there isn't! Available in any form to purchase, Hot Cinnamon Spice is #1 for a reason; come and see why.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Flight of Iced Teas! September 1st & September 2nd

September has arrived! Though Fall is right around the corner, the sun is still shining and we are in celebration of Labor Day this weekend. Before your last trip to the beach or to a friend's backyard barbecue, don't forget to brew the iced tea for refreshments! This weekend, we are sampling a thirst-quenching iced tea flight of Organic Green with Citrus and Gingko, Pomegranate Oolong, and Decaf Passion Fruit.



This green tea blend awakens the senses with its added organic lemongrass and gingko leaves. Organic Green is a favorite in iced tea form, being a lovely green tea with a zesty taste and no bitterness.



Taking our large Ti Quan Yin leaves and blending it with tangy, fruity pomegranate creates Pomegranate Oolong. This tea creates a lighter brew but a tart taste that can be garnished with lemon or orange.



This full-leaf, decaffeinated Ceylon black tea is blended with succulent passion fruit flavors to create a favorite amongst our iced black tea blends. Quench your thirst with Decaf Passion Fruit and let the tropical flavors take your taste buds on a vacation!



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Flight of Iced Teas! August 25th & August 26th

Hello, again! This weekend is the last weekend of August, and before we say goodbye to the sunny summer days, we are squeezing in one fresh iced tea flight this weekend! Come feel refreshed with our flight of iced Japanese Sencha, iced Wenshan Baozhong, and iced Korakundah FOP.




This Japanese green can be found in many homes in Tokyo. Japanese Sencha is a quality green, with just the right amount of vegetal flavor and body. 





Wenshan Baozhong is an oolong that's hometown is all about teas: PingLing, Taiwan. Having tea museums, teapots on streetlights, and statues of tea pickers, PingLing also has a nature preserve that we feel we can taste through our Wenshan. A lighter brew with floral notes in the aroma and the body, this oolong is an excellent choice for any oolong lover, or beginner.


*no image*

Korakundah FOP is a black tea from the south of India. It is a traditional black tea; garnish this iced with lemon and it will be your new favorite iced tea!





Friday, August 17, 2012

Flight of Iced Teas! August 18th & August 19th

Tea fans, we recognize the mornings are getting cooler, and as the summer's hottest month starts wiping its brow, this weekend's flight is inspired by one of the biggest traditions on a summer's night: campfires. Stop by our tasting bar and try what we find to be the flavors of a campfire, White Vanilla Grapefruit, Lapsang #1, and Chocolate Mint.



Sweets are crucial while sitting around the fire, such as the classic, marshmallows! Taken by the idea of a sweet flavor, White Vanilla Grapefruit is a white-based tea that has the sweet bite one enjoys. When brewed, the aroma of vanilla is stronger while a kiss of citrus lingers. There is a suggestive flavor of chocolate, and this tea may be lighter in brew but is rememberable in taste.



Lapsang #1 is an early season Lapsang Souchang, with smoky aromas but an overall sweeter flavor  than the traditional later season tea. The leaves are smoked over pine fires in the Wuyi Mountains of China, and this tea couldn't be a better pick for our campfire-inspired flight!



After a delicious barbecue dinner, there is nothing better than some chocolate to cleanse the palette and bring a smile to your soul. We have chosen Chocolate Mint to represent the sweets enjoyed around the fire, from s'mores to hot cocoa. In this tea blend, fresh peppermint leaves are tossed in to black tea accented with chocolate oils. Hot or iced, Chocolate Mint is the perfect after-dinner or after-barbecue tea!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Flight of Teas! August 11th & August 12th

Hello, hello tea fans! This weekend our taste buds are taking a trip to China, indulging in our newest green teas. Come join us at our tasting bar to try our new Weishan MaoFeng, Zisun, and Luan GuaPian.


Found in the back of the Buddhist temple in Weishan, a fabulous spring green was discovered. With a hint of roast flavors and light brew, Weishan MaoFeng is a delicate but delicious Chinese green to try.



Mike Harney has been a fan of green teas that come from the coastal province of Zhejiang, where Zisun, one of our newest greens was found! Being a spring tea, it also brews lightly, but carries a noticeable flavor.  



Considered one of the top ten green teas in China, Luan GuaPian comes from the Anhui Province, supplied by VeeVee, a friend of the Harney's. This tea creates a stronger cup in comparison to the previous two, and brews lovely vegetal flavors.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Flight of Teas! August 4th & August 5th

Hello tea fans, this weekend we are feeling the spirit of the Olympic games with our flight of England-themed teas! Get your taste buds into the game at our tasting bar, featuring Royal Wedding, Tower of London, & Diamond Jubilee!


In honor of the famous wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Historic Royal Palaces commissioned us to create a blend to celebrate the happy occasion. Royal Wedding is a blend of Mutan white tea, almond, coconut, vanilla, and pink rosebuds. Also blended with marigold petals and cornflowers, Royal Wedding's flavors take your taste buds to a place of classical romance. It is available in 30 count sachets and also loose leaf behind our tasting bar.



With flavors reminiscent of Elizabethan preserves, Tower of London is one of our more flavorful black tea blends. With a base black tea of Black Currant, a fruity black tea, we have stirred in rich Bergamot of Earl Grey and honey accents to create a bold but enjoyable afternoon tea. Our Paris blend lovers won't want to miss out on this tea!



Introducing one of our newest blends, Diamond Jubilee. Created in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her accession to the throne 60 years ago, we have created a black tea blend of Earl Grey and grapefruit. A classic mixed with refreshing citrus, Diamond Jubilee is available in our HRP tins and loose behind the bar, for all ways of indulgence!