Harney & Sons

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

Sooo good. This is pure keemun tea and has wonderful body. I take it with milk and sugar. This was a nice break in between vacuuming, hanging out clothes, and teaching geometry this morning!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

What a great tea! This really has nice body, and if there is any smokiness it is ever so light. I made little humming sounds as I drank this one today, and apologized to it profusely for neglecting it for so long. I start trying new teas and forget to go back to my pets….

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 30 sec

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

I got my new supply of this tea in! Hooray! This was my first morning cuppa today, with Margaret’s Hope on the way. This is very lightly smoky and has nice full body. I think if I put Harney’s breakfast choices on hand in order, I would say they go English Breakfast, Queen Catherine, Supreme Breakfast, in terms of body and smokiness. The last two may need to be reversed – I should try them side by side! (An excuse to drink more tea!) But all of these are only lightly smoky compared to Bohea or Lapsang teas. Excellent….

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 45 sec

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

I had this one for the first time in a while today. After drinking Queen Catherine for frumpled mornings and trying my first light lapsang, I now know that tea is barely, barely smoky, but it is there! It is a sweeter smokiness, though, and I now know that I will HAVE to keep it around for those mornings when I want something a tad lighter than Catherine. This was delicious with a little sugar and the tiniest bit of milk. Sometimes I don’t use the milk at all. Much, MUCH smoother than some of the Keemuns I have tried. Don’t even compare this to Keemun Hao A! It is a completely different taste to me! And I like this one better…..for now. Who knows how my tastebuds will grow up in the coming year? :) I steeped for four minutes, and I think five would have been better.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

I must be growing up! When I first started drinking tea I didn’t know the difference between astringency, bitterness, and smokiness. I loved smooth Ceylons and other teas that had very low astringency best. I thought I didn’t like most breakfast teas, but now I am beginning to like a little smokiness in the mornings to buck me up for my day. This one has that touch of smoky flavor, but is still smooth and satisfying. May have to get a refill for this tin after all…..

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drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
3224 tasting notes

Woke up needing a kick this morning, as I was stiff and sore. I chose English Breakfast because this particular one is robust and strong without being overpowering or bitter. This is the loose leaf tea rather than H&S Royal English Breakfast which is in sachets. I did add a little splash of milk and a wee bit of sugar, but that’s just me! It was just what I needed. I like that this EB is all Keemun, that’s right, one hundred percent! I think this must be what a coffee drinker feels like in the morning with their cuppa, so if you are switching from coffee to tea for the lower caffeine and theonine benefits, this might be a good choice for you. I use a shorter steep time to make sure it doesn’t get bitter.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 15 sec

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85
drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
477 tasting notes

I only have two posts logged for this, and yet I’m almost out. Whoops.

I wouldn’t mind more, though. This is rather nice in the morning. Keemun nutty. I will have to get more. Except that the Chapters that I got it from only sells the tins of the bagged stuff, and I’d really rather NOT start collecting Harney and Sons tins. If only they took paypal, god damnit.

I have also, since, finished off one or two teas… Downsizing my cupboard a bit.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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85
drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
477 tasting notes

Wow. I’ve posted so rarely about this tea, it’s been moved to the ever end of my cupboard.

I’m enjoying this and its faint nuttyness this morning, because I have it bagged and thus don’t need to drag out any infusers, which I have already packed away. I’m going camping with my family.

I packed pretty much as many teabags and small travel-tins of tea as I could. I didn’t have a travel-tin for it, so I threw my tin of A&D’s Caravan right into the bag. You CAN’T forget your SMOKY TEAS when you’re going camping of all places. My father was DELIGHTED to learn that I was going to bring the ‘bacon tea’.

My backpack is filled with art supplies and tea. …There are some clothes in there as well—those I could fit around the other two.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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85
drank English Breakfast by Harney & Sons
477 tasting notes

Chapters (Canadian bookstore for those who don’t know), I found, carries a LOT of loose-leaf tea accessories (to which I mean pots with infusers, mugs with infusers, infusers by themselves, travel tea tumblers with the removable infusers…), but NO actual loose-leaf teas. All of the teas they have are bagged. Whoops. Although there were still some good teas there (“full leaf sachets”). Harney and Sons being one of them. And I had remembered seeing a tin of Paris sachets the last time I’d visited, and thus I returned today to purchase it—only to see that there didn’t seem to be any (and I don’t say ‘any left’ because I remember, distinctly, that they had four Harney and Sons teas out, and they still did, but none were Paris; maybe I was mistaken?). But I’m sure they had had some! I noticed in their giant variety sample pack for thirty dollars that Paris was included, but I didn’t really want to buy the whole giant chest of teas. Curses!

So I opted for this one, because I always enjoy a good morning tea. Opening the tin the smell is strong and divine. Very tea. It brewed quite light, and the smell of the wet teabag and the tea itself is very faint, and… different.

Granted, I’ve never really tried Keemun (that I know of), thus excuse my naivety. The tea is nice, light, and slightly (but noticeably) sweet. The ‘tea’ taste that I’m more used to IS in there, but it’s mixed with other tastes. Almost a sort of greeny taste (if you removed the vegetable). There’s something stronger in the aftertaste. Robust. Not sure. I really rather like this. I don’ts think it needs anything (certainly not any sugar), but if made a bit stronger it would probably be good with a splash of milk.

Edit: …And also mildly, faintly peppery but in a good way, and I like this very much. And did I mention that I liked this?

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec

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66

I steeped 2 bags of this tea for 14oz water @170F for 4 minutes. This tea is a beautiful light lime green color with an aroma of coconut plus something savory/spicy that I’ve never smelled before in a green tea.

This tea tastes light and buttery with an aftertaste of coconut and a bit of the ginger zip to it. I found this refreshing hot and am curious as to how it would be iced? Maybe the second steep I will try iced if I get any flavor out of it.

The leaves in these pyramid bags get almost too big for the bag, they certainly expand beautifully. May have to cut the bag open next time and experiment!

SoccerMom

Meghann, I totally agree with your tasting notes on this tea.

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84

Having a hard time rating this one, so this tasting note is going to be something of a placeholder, with a soft score.

This is a very subtle white. It’s so subtle that there isn’t much flavor to be had when the water is still hot — the ‘hot water’ flavor overrides the delicacy of the flavors in the tea (and I’m using filtered, fresh water in an all-glass cup, so there aren’t any lingering flavors coming from anywhere else to muddy up the taste). You can get a very vague sense of the citrus they mention in the aroma while very hot, and I thought I could detect what they were identifying as cloves, but everything was so humid and watery that it wasn’t easy to pull anything specific out of the cup.

As it cooled, however, it became much more interesting. It was still an incredibly light cup of tea, but instead of searching for the sweet flavor, it became immediately accessible. I’d say citrus and floral elements were the most notable. If there were other sorts of fruit in the flavor then they were elusive to me.

I think I’d prefer this tea if I upped the amount of leaf I used to increase the strength of the flavor, so with what remains of my sample, I may give that a try later this evening and see how it goes.

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

Just curious: how much tea did you use for your cup, sophistre? I have this one but have yet to try it.

sophistre

I…sort of eyeballed it. :O I was tired and it was late. I thought about a tablespoon (I say ‘about’ because needle-shaped whites rarely fit into an actual tablespoon)…for a 2c teacup. One of these days, I should really get a scale.

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50
drank Chocolate Mint by Harney & Sons
111 tasting notes

Okay so after reading Cait’s review I thought “Yeah why not have dessert tea for breakfast!?” So I looked in my cupboard and discovered this Harney and Sons sample just sitting there staring out me it. It was as if it was saying Hey Lady if your going to go for a dessert tea you might as well give me a try! :) So I accepted the offer.

I open the package to discover it smells like an Andes Mint or the cheaper version (junior mints) and so I start to think about the smell while I let it steep and realize it smells like Adagio’s Cocomint.

I would normally pick a Harney and Sons tea over an Adagio tea any day that’s just me though. So back to the review so steep’s over and the tea still smells like an Andes mint I say Andes because it smells richer than a junior mint. I take a taste after letting it cool a few minutes and the first thing that hits me is MINT, WHOA! It’s like it shocked my tongue into wake up mode and not necessarily in a good way not bad but not hey that’s really good. I need more let’s at it to my shopping list good more like if I was out somewhere and someone offered it to me I would probably accept it but I probably wouldn’t offer it to you if you were visiting that’s unless of course you said hey I want a mint chocolate tea and even then I probably steep you up some Cocomint. :))

It’s a pretty good tea while I don’t really taste the chocolate I know it’s there it’s not the main character though the mint is definently the Angelina Jolie of this tea. It’s a good tea not better than Adagio’s even though it smells a little better than Adagio’s it’s not better just a little stronger in mint flavor.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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79
drank Paris by Harney & Sons
328 tasting notes

Experimenting w/cold steeping- brewing the tea overnite in the fridge. Brewing Paris via this cold method resulted in a weak tea (so far peppermint /black tea has been the best cold brewed) ….

JacquelineM

Yeah – I use the “puts hair on your chest” black teas for cold brewing, and strangely enough, the one white tea I cold brewed was phenomenal. I think the black teas that are perfect hot come out weak cold brewed – totally agree w you.

SoccerMom

Lori and JacquelineM- Just curious and I know this is going to sound like a dumb question but why do ya’ll cold brew? I mean I know that several steepsters write about cold brewing but I really don’t know why you wouldn’t just brew ( hot water) and steep it and then ice it? Is there something great I’m missing here?? Inquiring minds want to know!

JacquelineM

SoccerMom – I find that it takes away any bitterness and astringency, and I usually use my less expensive or not totally crazy about hot teas for iced tea because they take so much leaf! I also like how easy it is, and how pretty and clear the iced teas come out.

If you have a tea you find a little bitter, try the cold brew and see what you think!

SoccerMom

Oh Okay…. I hate bitter AND astringent. I will try it I have two iced teas=experiments in the fridge right now but will try it tomorrow with the last of my Palm Court sample (a little to astringent for me) Thanks for the info!

Lori

Good point JacuelineM about the astringency AND use of less expensive teas when cold brewing ….

Meghann M

I tend to cold brew with teas I didn’t enjoy the hot brew of to see if I enjoy it cold better. Some have turned out that way (Lupicia’s Sakurambo), others haven’t. But it DOES cut down in the astringency too which is nice.

Sorry to reply to a 2 day old tasting note, but just getting to reading these!

Lori

No problem- glad to know that others have also been experimenting w/cold brewing…

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79
drank Paris by Harney & Sons
328 tasting notes

Very refined- a sophisticated flavor- this tea has a perfect name to mstch its subtle flavor- Paris! Perfect in the late evening- not sure if I would want this as a first cup in the morning…. i

No single flavor predominates- sort of a subtle citrus flavor but not predominately lemon or orangy, subtle vanilla flavor and little bit of bergamot…

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91
drank Florence by Harney & Sons
788 tasting notes

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 6 ounces
Tool: Mesh basket strainer in cup
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chocolate, it reminded me of a tobacco store
Steeped Tea Smell: chocolate
Flavor: very smooth, lightly chocolate, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, slightly bitter very breifly
Liquor: dark brown

Steepster Traveling Teabox tea

MilitiaJim did not like it at all.

Neither of us got the hazelnut, maybe that was what I was mistaking for tobacco?

Either way a delicious chocolate tea.

Either way after everyone rating this so highly on Steepster I was expecting too much. This is a great tea and I will probably purchase it occasionally but to fall in love perhaps I need to tweak my preparation methods?

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: 6 minutes, lighter color and taste but still good

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/03/harney-and-sons-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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92

The gentle notes of dark honey or light molasses makes sipping this tea is a wonderful way to begin any day!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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92

The lovely Assam teas offer delicious notes of both honey and malty flavors- some may compare this maltiness to that of a fine beer. The strong briskness of Assam teas results from the fast pace at which they are made; the Assam area in India generates an enormous quantity of tea in just 6 short weeks.
The Mangalam Assam is one of the best Assam teas. Its aromas are both sweet and toasty. Its body is full and boasts the signature Assam-briskness, with gentle notes of dark honey or light molasses. Sipping this tea is a wonderful way to begin any day.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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87
drank White Peach by Harney & Sons
111 tasting notes

Okay so I stayed at B & N a long time yesterday (long enough to try out 2 teas). This tea my husband encouraged me try because it was the only tin left of it’s kind while the others were stocked pretty full (he assumed it was the best since it was closest to being sold out). Not that it was hard for him to talk me into trying a new tea or anything :) but I usually don’t just pick white teas I don’t know why but I think it may have something to do with their lack of full body flavor. At least that’s what I typically think when I try white teas but this one was totally different it was surprisingly full bodied and the taste of the fuzzy peach filled your mouth. The color I found surprising as well in that it’s not clear it’s not even close to clear it’s amber in color and the smell it sooo nice it’s peachy but not in an artificial type peach way in a natural peach way it’s a soft peach smell but not as soft as one might expect for a white tea. I tried two teas yesterday and I think I might have to go back today and pick them both up :))

I brought the tea bags home in there respective cups and resteep and while the the taste was a little fainter than the original brew it was still quite enjoyable and was definently a true reflection of the original steep.

SoccerMom

Made myself a cup of this today and a cup for my Mom and she didn’t finish it (I didn’t notice till after she left) and I’m not gonna lie I’m a little mad. How could she totally waste one of my faves? It was bad enough that she added sugar to it!

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88

I tried this today at Barnes and Noble while shopping and it was so good. I totally agree with the other reviewers in that this tea is a tasty green tea and you get hints of coconut and I don’t taste the ginger very much at all but just enough to give the coconut a briskness it also does seem to have a buttery taste to as other posters mentioned. I am definitely adding this one to my list of “To buys” from Harney and Sons.

Meghann M

I picked this up tonight at my local B&N. I stopped to see if they carried any tea, since I haven’t looked since they carried RoT years ago, and they had Harney and Sons!!!! This one sounded amazing, so I bought a tin, Not a bad price for 30 bags.

SoccerMom

I really liked this one. I also tried the white peach and it was good too! You can resteep the sachets several times too. At least you can with the green tea one and the second steep wasn’t bad it was actually pretty good. I can’t wait to read your review.

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81

Yummy, but a bit too sweet.

Preparation
2 min, 0 sec

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87
drank Florence by Harney & Sons
111 tasting notes

What more can I say that hasn’t already been said about this tea? I TOTALLY agree with all the other reviews. It’s nose is spectacularly chocolate mixed with hazelnut. And the flavor is awesome black tea (probably Ceylon) and the same as the nose, chocolate and hazelnut. It just works! Yum.

UPDATE: I find myself craving this tea more and more Thanks to Amazon V for fueling my addiction (she is a tea enabler). Bumping it up.

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100

I find this tea very good. It has grassy notes more so than fresh spinach; it depends on how much you decide to use but you will enjoy a full mouth feel, experiencing umami. It has that fresh bright, electric green coloring which indicates a fresh tea and a reputable tea purveyor. I do recommend this tea. Quite enjoyable!

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 1 min, 0 sec
Cofftea

I had their thin grade and it was AMAZING… I can’t even begin to fathom how good this is.

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93

Paul Harney don’t tell my husband…. but I love you. I love Harney and ALL his Sons for that matter. The only person who might love you more is JacquelineM and I love her too for her wonderful reviews of your teas that introduced me to you to begin with. :))

I had a cup of pu erh a while ago and wasn’t thinking about what I would try next and then that knock at my door came that wonderful, glorious knock the knock you’ve been waiting a week for! I froze and then broke out in a full sprint It’s from you Mr. Harney (I won’t tell my husband that you keep sending me these lovely little gifts it’ll be our little secret) that is until my husband sees my C.C. statement.

So I decided since I just had pu erh I better go for a green and I selected the Green Hot Cinnamon Spice and what can I say it is so perfect. It is the exact same essence of Black Hot Cinnamon Spice only milder way MILDER and I love the black H.C.S. but this is perfect when you need a cup of green tea or if you just don’t like the black version> I think it was Jillian who didn’t care much for the black H.C.S. and if she were here right now I’d pour her a mug and reassure her that just because the black was not her cup of tea don’t give up try this cup of Green H.C.S.! It’s smooth yet spicy a MUCH better version of Teavana’s White Ayurvedic Chai/Samurai Chai Mate. Don’t worry Mr. Harney I haven’t been cheating on you with Teavana I pledge to you that after drinking your Green H.C.S. I won’t betray with that White Ayurvedic stuff anymore just please don’t change!

There’s only one thing I would change about you as with most guys your a little hard to read as in your suggested steep times and temps. LOL such a great tea!

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