My father started Harney & Sons with the goal of being a trusted tea merchant. And we have continued with that tradition. It is our job to make sure that our teas are safe. And they are.
The U.S. Tea Association has recently responded with information specifically referencing the safety of teas imported from other countries. The teas we retail now were produced and shipped last year prior to the beginning of the crisis in China. Additionally, tea is finished in hot ovens and is brewed in hot water that would destroy any microorganism, including a virus. The head of the U.S. Tea Association, Peter Goggi, has stated the risk of the COVID-19 infection per the CDC:
“The virus is not spread through goods but by human to human contact … In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely a very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.”
These statements are well-supported by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information from the FDA may be found here and also from the CDC here.
27 comments
Kathy
I appreciate the information about the safe-tea of your tea and enjoy it daily. I always drink it at work and as a nurse it helps me through the stressful times. And I always have extra to share with my coworkers! Thank you!
I appreciate the information about the safe-tea of your tea and enjoy it daily. I always drink it at work and as a nurse it helps me through the stressful times. And I always have extra to share with my coworkers! Thank you!
Kathy Kugelman
Thank you for all your wonderful teas and the great customer service, now and always.
Thank you for all your wonderful teas and the great customer service, now and always.
Holly L Neerman
I’ve been purchasing from you for nearly 20 years, and you all feel like extended family. I am glad you are able to keep your livelihood and tradition alive through this. I’m sure i speak for all your devoted customers when I say we are sending our wishes for your health and safety!
I’ve been purchasing from you for nearly 20 years, and you all feel like extended family. I am glad you are able to keep your livelihood and tradition alive through this. I’m sure i speak for all your devoted customers when I say we are sending our wishes for your health and safety!
Katrina @Edelweiss Patterns
Yes!! Tea is completely safe to drink especially since it is steeped in boiling water. But it’s actually advisable to drink more tea at a time like this. Green tea is supposed to boost immunity, and I read that Japan’s consumption of green tea could potentially explain their low rate of infection with the virus.
Yes!! Tea is completely safe to drink especially since it is steeped in boiling water. But it’s actually advisable to drink more tea at a time like this. Green tea is supposed to boost immunity, and I read that Japan’s consumption of green tea could potentially explain their low rate of infection with the virus.
Lauren Gubbe
Your tea is my favorite tea :) I am so happy to read your note and want you to know that I appreciate the quality of your teas.
Your tea is my favorite tea :) I am so happy to read your note and want you to know that I appreciate the quality of your teas.
M. G.
Thank you , for reaching out to us. Your teas are our life pleasures and get togethers in my household. I appreciate everyone that is out there moving things along and getting these wonderful teas to us, packaged with care. Though I dont know you, hugs are sent out to everyone. 🤗 Be safe! Blessings to all ☺
Thank you , for reaching out to us. Your teas are our life pleasures and get togethers in my household. I appreciate everyone that is out there moving things along and getting these wonderful teas to us, packaged with care. Though I dont know you, hugs are sent out to everyone. 🤗 Be safe! Blessings to all ☺
Judy Plourde
I was brought up on tea in sickness and in health. When I lived in Connecticut, I loved the trips to Millerton with my friends. It’s one of the events I miss so much since we have moved to Nevada. Now, I not only get to enjoy your wonderful teas at home in Henderson but also at my son and daughter-in-law"s business Suzuya Patisserie in Las Vegas. They serve your tea in delightful tea pots and also sell the tins. It makes me happy.
I was brought up on tea in sickness and in health. When I lived in Connecticut, I loved the trips to Millerton with my friends. It’s one of the events I miss so much since we have moved to Nevada. Now, I not only get to enjoy your wonderful teas at home in Henderson but also at my son and daughter-in-law"s business Suzuya Patisserie in Las Vegas. They serve your tea in delightful tea pots and also sell the tins. It makes me happy.
Steve Pacenka
Thanks for staying on production and distribution duty Mike and company. I just ordered some Harney peppermint tea bags through Amazon. The peppermint, decaf Assam, and decaf Ceylon loose that I have direct from Harney are long-time staples and I find myself drinking more of them now that I am staying home most of each day (in upstate NY). The peppermint is particularly good for anxiety control.
Thanks for staying on production and distribution duty Mike and company. I just ordered some Harney peppermint tea bags through Amazon. The peppermint, decaf Assam, and decaf Ceylon loose that I have direct from Harney are long-time staples and I find myself drinking more of them now that I am staying home most of each day (in upstate NY). The peppermint is particularly good for anxiety control.
Aaron Kleyla
Thanks for the update Mike. I, personally, would not be able to cope with staying home for so long without Harney and Sons tea. Thank you to your family and staff for all the hard work they do. It is much appreciated.
Aaron
Thanks for the update Mike. I, personally, would not be able to cope with staying home for so long without Harney and Sons tea. Thank you to your family and staff for all the hard work they do. It is much appreciated.
Aaron
Gail Oliver
Thank you for your kind note of reassurance. Just like your teas, you are a special company.
Thank you for your kind note of reassurance. Just like your teas, you are a special company.
Karen Harris
My heart is so happy to read that you guys are still able to sell tea amidst these turbulent times. I got a gift card for your site for my birthday (March 15th) from my office manager who shares my love of tea. I had never heard of your brand before this but I also recently had a lovely afternoon tea – the flavor was called Paris – at the O’Henry hotel in Greensboro, NC before the pandemic shut everything down. I was raving about it at work the morning I got my gift card when I went to your site and the Paris tea was the first to come up!! We both couldn’t believe the coincidence! I can’t wait to enjoy a cup at home now that I can’t go out. It’s the little things in life :)
My heart is so happy to read that you guys are still able to sell tea amidst these turbulent times. I got a gift card for your site for my birthday (March 15th) from my office manager who shares my love of tea. I had never heard of your brand before this but I also recently had a lovely afternoon tea – the flavor was called Paris – at the O’Henry hotel in Greensboro, NC before the pandemic shut everything down. I was raving about it at work the morning I got my gift card when I went to your site and the Paris tea was the first to come up!! We both couldn’t believe the coincidence! I can’t wait to enjoy a cup at home now that I can’t go out. It’s the little things in life :)
Leslie L. Clark
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Julie LYSSY
Your tea is amazing and I have been enjoying it. I was thrilled to see it in Starbucks at Barnes & Noble. I plan to send “comfort” packages to friends in the near future and your tea will be a part. And, I can continue my Earl Grey tasting venture. Thank you for making a quality product. Love the Monthly interviews.
Your tea is amazing and I have been enjoying it. I was thrilled to see it in Starbucks at Barnes & Noble. I plan to send “comfort” packages to friends in the near future and your tea will be a part. And, I can continue my Earl Grey tasting venture. Thank you for making a quality product. Love the Monthly interviews.
Georgia Horn
Just placed a large order and love your teas! Have introduced and shared your teas with my friends and co-workers. I am convinced that they will be ordering from your company. God Bless you and your employees.
Just placed a large order and love your teas! Have introduced and shared your teas with my friends and co-workers. I am convinced that they will be ordering from your company. God Bless you and your employees.
Marylynn Radford
For all of you at Harney & Sons, your doing a wonderful job & creating amazing teas!… My husband & I enjoy your Rooibos chai & white vanilla grapefruit so much!… With everything going on right now in our world, it’s nice to know that a nice cup of tea can soothe the soul!!… thank you so much… the Radford family
For all of you at Harney & Sons, your doing a wonderful job & creating amazing teas!… My husband & I enjoy your Rooibos chai & white vanilla grapefruit so much!… With everything going on right now in our world, it’s nice to know that a nice cup of tea can soothe the soul!!… thank you so much… the Radford family
Katie Robert
Thank you
Thank you
Elizabeth N
Thank you for producing such delicious and high quality teas! Thank you also for your transparency and concern for your customer’s welfare. I have been a regular shopper of Harney & Sons Teas since I first discovered your unique blends.around 2 years ago. My favorites are, Paris, Chocolate, Chocolate & Cranberry, Mango and many of the other fruit teas. I even enjoyed blends from the partnership with Chopra Center, as Perfect Weight and Ginger blends are also among my favorites. I just made a big order in February so I am so thankful I have a variety of blends to keep me warm and comfy in the coming weeks of stay-at-home order here in Illinois. Thank you Harney & Sons, for your support and superb customer service!
Thank you for producing such delicious and high quality teas! Thank you also for your transparency and concern for your customer’s welfare. I have been a regular shopper of Harney & Sons Teas since I first discovered your unique blends.around 2 years ago. My favorites are, Paris, Chocolate, Chocolate & Cranberry, Mango and many of the other fruit teas. I even enjoyed blends from the partnership with Chopra Center, as Perfect Weight and Ginger blends are also among my favorites. I just made a big order in February so I am so thankful I have a variety of blends to keep me warm and comfy in the coming weeks of stay-at-home order here in Illinois. Thank you Harney & Sons, for your support and superb customer service!
Michele Johnson
Thank you for this. I never would have thought twice about a virus being in the tea I drink but I appreciate the time you took to explain your processes and reduce any anxiety re: this. These are trying times and it’s good to know how others do care and hold the well being of others first and foremost.
Stay healthy.
Michele Johnson
Thank you for this. I never would have thought twice about a virus being in the tea I drink but I appreciate the time you took to explain your processes and reduce any anxiety re: this. These are trying times and it’s good to know how others do care and hold the well being of others first and foremost.
Stay healthy.
Michele Johnson
Ruth Sottile
Thank you for sharing this information as this is my first order and I was hesitant to order. Your reassuring is helpful in my decision to place this order
Thank you for sharing this information as this is my first order and I was hesitant to order. Your reassuring is helpful in my decision to place this order
JANA I SADLER
Thanks for reaching out to us! I had a soothing cup of hot cinnamon spice to start my day today!
Thanks for reaching out to us! I had a soothing cup of hot cinnamon spice to start my day today!
Melinda Tucker
Thank you for taking time to send a message of encouragement and comfort to Harney Tea clients.
Thank you for taking time to send a message of encouragement and comfort to Harney Tea clients.
Jenell Mahoney
As my small sign purchased from a tea shop years ago reminds us: “While there is tea, there is hope!” Exactly!
As my small sign purchased from a tea shop years ago reminds us: “While there is tea, there is hope!” Exactly!
Cassandra Leicht
Love your tea would not want to be without at this time. Thank you for a great and safe product
Love your tea would not want to be without at this time. Thank you for a great and safe product
Rowena Korobkin
Are you still able to fulfill mail orders for tea despite the NY statewide shutdown of businesses?
Are you still able to fulfill mail orders for tea despite the NY statewide shutdown of businesses?
Jayne E Fowler
Thank you for everything you do, thank you for the boxes of peace and love that you send out every day.
Thank you for everything you do, thank you for the boxes of peace and love that you send out every day.
Diane K Whitehead
Mike: thanks for this information. As a nurse, I would be even more stressed without my cups of Harney tea everyday! Thanks for adding to my physical and mental health during this time! I do miss the scones and the wonderful lunches at the cafe! Hope to return soon. DW
Mike: thanks for this information. As a nurse, I would be even more stressed without my cups of Harney tea everyday! Thanks for adding to my physical and mental health during this time! I do miss the scones and the wonderful lunches at the cafe! Hope to return soon. DW
Moreen Murray
Thanks for this! Enjoying my stock of Harney Teas – aren’t they always offering to the put the kettle on in British shows? Tea has lots of great benefits and most of all it’s comforting. Love your products especially Sally’s Secret, Tower of London and Victorian London Fog!
Thanks for this! Enjoying my stock of Harney Teas – aren’t they always offering to the put the kettle on in British shows? Tea has lots of great benefits and most of all it’s comforting. Love your products especially Sally’s Secret, Tower of London and Victorian London Fog!