Harney and Sons Loose Leaf Irish Breakfast Black Tea Review

Not every tea needs to be a life-changing experience. Sometimes, you just want a reliable workhorse for your morning cup, and Harney & Sons has built its reputation on that. Their Loose Leaf Irish Breakfast is a solid, well-made tea, though whether it lives up to its name might depend on what you’re looking for.

What It Tastes Like

This isn’t a tea that screams for attention. What I pick up are gentle, earthy malty notes and a subtle sweetness that keeps it from being flat. To my palate, it doesn’t quite have the deep, rich, malty punch I associate with a more traditional Irish Breakfast, seeming to lean instead into the character of a quality Ceylon black tea with a clean, mild finish.

What I Like

Where this tea really seems to shine is its texture. It’s exceptionally smooth and silky, with none of the harshness that can plague stronger black teas. This makes it feel like a fantastic “all-rounder”—at least in my experience, it doesn’t get bitter if you accidentally over-steep it, and it plays nicely with milk without getting completely lost. It’s a very forgiving and approachable brew.

What I Don’t Like

If you’re buying something called “Irish Breakfast,” you might be expecting a certain boldness that—for me at least—this blend doesn’t quite deliver. Compared to what I’ve experienced with brands like Barry’s or Twinings, this one feels decidedly tame. The aroma is pleasant but not particularly memorable to me, and the flavor doesn’t seem to linger. Its mildness could be seen as a weakness when judged against its peers, though I recognize others might find this gentler profile appealing.

Overall

This is still what I’d consider a great tea, especially if you’re not a die-hard fan of super-strong blends. Harney & Sons’ Irish Breakfast strikes me as well-made, enjoyable, and incredibly smooth—it just might not be the Irish Breakfast you’re expecting. If you want a brew that will put hair on your chest, this probably isn’t it. But if your palate appreciates a more subtle and refined morning cup, this could easily become a staple.