[Review] Harney & Sons - Paris tea and two similar blends
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Inspired by the discovery of the Paris black tea blend, I originally reviewed Harney & Sons in 2021 as one of the first tea reviews on my blog.
After tasting and loving two more of Harney & Sons’ blends that Paris fans will love, I decided it was time for an update!
Paris tea is perhaps one of Harney & Sons’ best known teas, a niche favorite for a fancy London Fog latte spin and in many cases (like myself) how tea drinkers learn of the brand. In fact, I recently visited a small coffee shop on a weekend trip to Northern Arizona and couldn’t help but smile when I saw Paris Fog on the menu. The secret’s out.
Here are my original reviews of Harney & Sons’ Paris and Chocolate Chai Supreme, with the addition of Tower of London and London Fog.
About Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons is an American tea brand that specializes in fine tea blends packaged in a wide assortment of visually appealing ways. They carry loose leaf, tea bags, tea wares, and a ton of fun gift ideas as well, although let’s face it—you might just gift a tea chest to yourself. A unique aspect of this brand is its membership with 1% For The Planet, through which they commit one percent of total sales to environmental organizations.
If you’re not a short drive away from either one of Harney & Sons’ two New York stores, you can browse all their products online. Otherwise, as I was thrilled to find out, you can find a limited selection of their tea bags at Barnes & Noble’s Cafes!
When I first ordered Harney & Sons’ Paris black tea online, I wanted to make the most of my shipping cost and chose the Chocolate Chai Supreme after finding out it is a frequent best seller. Something I noticed once the tea tins arrived is that their manufactured date was only two weeks before the day I ordered. Definitely a perk of ordering direct!
Harney & Sons Tower of London review
If you’re looking to order Harney’s signature bright, colorful tea tins, be aware that it’s only the tea sachets (bags) that are packaged that way. I prefer loose leaf to tea bags for a number of reasons, including versatility for making lattes, but I got both Tower of London and London Fog as tea bags just to get my hands on these shiny, shimmery tea tins.
Despite the fact that it had been months since last tasting Paris, I immediately discerned that both of these teas are incredibly similar to it in aroma and taste. In fact, the Tower of London contains all the same ingredients (black tea, oolong tea, vanilla, black currant, caramel flavors, bergamot oil) but with additional honey flavor. It has an almost vanilla crème flavor with a noticeable warm hint of honey.
Harney & Sons London Fog review
London Fog is a tiny bit more removed from Paris and Tower of London with an addition of lavender and absence of black currant and caramel. The actual London Fog latte is a classic aromatic milky tea, typically made with an Earl Grey base, milk, and sometimes lavender and vanilla. With a simple splash of milk this tea blend transforms into a true London Fog.
The Paris and Chocolate Chai Supreme reviews below were a part of my original review of Harney & Sons.
Harney & Sons Paris Review
Paris is a fruity black tea that’s made a name for itself in the tea world. Harney & Sons describes its Paris tea as having a caramel and fruity black currant taste with a hint of vanilla. It also has a mild astringency, strong aroma, and light body.
Interestingly, Paris also includes oolong tea, giving it a much lighter feel and taste than, say, an Earl Grey even though Paris also contains bergamot oil.
I found the oolong to be definitely noticeable, with the fruity taste overpowering the caramel and vanilla undertones. However, those dessert-y flavors popped out and tied the whole tea together when made into a latte (recipe below!).
This tea has a delightful blend and balance of flavors that you don’t grow tired of. I’ve drank it for a week straight and can’t get enough!
Harney & Sons Chocolate Chai Supreme Review
Although the Chocolate Chai Supreme was a 2019 best seller, I took a shot in the dark with this one as I’m normally a chai purist. Harney & Sons describes this blend as a chai spices swirl with vanilla, chocolate, and cardamom flavor. It has medium astringency, medium body, and medium strength aroma.
To me, the Chocolate Chai Supreme reminded me of a Tootsie Roll in tea form. It smells like a cozy chocolate chai candle, although the taste lacked a bit in the spice department with the chocolate taking a more dominant flavor.
I wasn’t as crazy about this tea because of its watered down chocolate covered chai taste. However, as one of my first chocolatey tea experiences, I’d love to experiment a bit more with different milks and latte recipes.
Paris Fog latte recipe
For Paris’ final evolution—Paris Fog—you get everything you like about the milky floral dream…and more. Use Harney & Sons loose leaf Paris or Tower of London as the perfect base for this latte.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup milk (or milk alternative that froths well like oat milk)
2 tsp Harney & Sons Paris loose leaf tea
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp sugar (I like brown sugar)
Directions:
Pour boiling water into mug with tea leaves in an infuser. Cover and let steep for 8-10 minutes.
Remove tea leaves from water and stir in vanilla extract and sugar.
Warm milk in a tall glass in the microwave for 1 minute. Froth with an electric frother* until foamy.
Pour the milk into your mug with the other ingredients and done! Your Paris Fog Latte is ready to enjoy with a decadent sweet treat.
*I like to use an electric frother to foam my milk, but you can also use an old fashion saucepan and whisk or an espresso machine.
Originally published March 5, 2021.
Tower of London and London Fog provided by Harney & Sons for review.
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