ABOUT GREENHALGH TEA

Karen Donnelly is a certified TAC Tea Sommelier Professional with a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation for tea. With over 30 years of experience in tea event planning, public speaking, and education, she combines her expertise and passion to make tea an enriching part of everyday life.

Karen’s journey with tea began with her mother, Barbara Greenhalgh, as co-owners of Croquet & Crumpets, an acclaimed afternoon tea catering company founded in 1990. Their excellence was celebrated in publications like Victoria Magazine, Hunt Magazine, and Delaware Today. After her mother’s retirement, Karen pursued tea sommelier certification, completing her studies in 2015 in Toronto.

Today, Karen offers a variety of tea-focused services, including designing tea menus for businesses, crafting signature tea blends, hosting tea pairings, and conducting engaging classes on tea’s history, production, culture, health, and cooking.  Under the Greenhalgh Tea label, she curates high-quality loose-leaf teas with an emphasis on sustainability, available both at the Orchard Tea Room and online.

 Karen also contributes her expertise to the tea community as a writer for The Tea House Times and Sip magazine. Whether teaching classes virtually or in-person in Thornton, PA, Karen continues to share her knowledge and passion for tea with others.

THE GREENHALGH NAME

Pronounced “green-halj”

The history of the Greenhalgh name can be traced back to the British Isles, particularly in the region of Lancashire, England. The name likely has its origins in Old English, where “green” referred to a grassy area , and “halgh” signified water – stream, pond, or lake. Over time, families living in or near such pastures by the water might have been given the name Greenhalgh as a locational identifier. The name has historical connections to the Lancashire area, and individuals bearing the Greenhalgh surname have played various roles in local communities throughout the centuries. This name, like many others, carries a piece of the rich tapestry of British history and heritage.