Welcome to the first episode of As The Tea Steeps, a podcast series about how tea shaped our family and how our family shaped tea in 21st century America. In our debut episode, Emeric & Alex Harney sit down with their grandmother and wife of Harney & Sons Founder, Elyse Harney. Tune in every other week for a new episode!

01 - Memories of A Matriarch

It started as a hobby in the basement of the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Connecticut and was shared only with inn guests. Now, over 30 years later, their 90,000 square foot facility in Millerton, New York ships to fans across the globe. Join us as we spill the tea on one of the country’s most influential families, the Harneys, and the story behind their tea empire. The origins of how John and Elyse Harney gave birth to five children, a tea company, and a real estate business makes for funny, moving, and absolutely riveting listening. Tune in to the new 6 part Podcast, “As the Tea Steeps” presented by Emeric and Alexander Harney available now on iTunes, Google Play.

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In this episode, Emeric & Alex Harney introduce you to three extraordinary Harney women who have helped shape the success of the family’s world-renowned tea business. Meet Elyse Harney, grandmother and matriarch, as she recalls fascinating stories about Harney & Son’s early beginnings in a basement of the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Connecticut. She is followed by Brigitte Harney, mother of Emeric & Alex. Brigitte shares her adventures with tea, from her introductions to tea in her homeland of France to how she became involved with the Harney business through marriage. Next, meet Elyse Harney Morris, Emeric & Alex’s very young aunt who helps to run the Harney real estate business.  Listen to the newest installment or catch up on all 7 episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Libsyn.

2.07 - Sharing Tea With the Women We Love

Contrary to rumor, all Harneys don’t come into the world full of knowledge of tea. In the sixth episode in season two of As The Tea Steeps, Emeric & Alex Harney interview two intriguing tea connoisseurs who helped them develop their taste and knowledge of teas early in life. Meet their dear family friend, Marcus Wulf from Hamburger TeeHandel (HTH) in German, where both Harney brothers completed apprenticeships. There’s also Tammo De Burh, Marcus’s business partner, who shares what gets him excited about tea and how he manages to taste 200 teas each day at HTH!

2.06 - Sharing Tea Knowledge

In our fifth episode in season two of As The Tea Steeps, Emeric & Alex interview Simon Bell, the co-founder of Amba Estate, whose teas and lemongrass are so popular with our Harney customers! Emeric and Alex share how Amba and Sri Lankan artisan tea growers are restoring the quality of Ceylon tea.

2.05 - Artisan Tea Growers of Sri Lanka Unite!

Great products often start off as great ideas. In our fourth episode in season two of As The Tea Steeps, Emeric & Alex Harney interview Mike Harney and their uncle, Paul Harney. Hemp is the springboard for this conversation as Mike and Paul share how the Hemp Division of Harney & Sons Fine Teas was born. Traverse the story of how these Harney brothers became hemp farmers, how Mike Harney is conquering hemp legislation in various states, and more. Paul also talks about his new affinity for Kava and tea from Vietnam. So pop the kettle on, brew a cup, and settle down to share ideas over tea.  

2.04 - Sharing New Ideas

In our third episode in season two of As The Tea Steeps, Emeric & Alex Harney interview the delightful Beverly-Claire Wainwright. Learn about Beverly-Claire’s surprising adventures in tea and the global tea-growing families of which she is a part. From growing tea in an unlikely place, Scotland, to pioneering business development for tea estates in diverse locations such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Louisiana, Beverly-Claire’s transformative work in the industry is the stuff of legend. Hers is a fascinating story perfect for those interested in knowing more about the people, faces and places behind our teas.

01 - Memories of A Matriarch

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