About Us
ABOUT GREENHALGH TEA
For Karen Donnelly, tea has always been more than a beverage—it has been a story, a gathering place, and a way to connect with others. Her journey into tea began alongside her mother, Barbara Greenhalgh, as co-owner of Croquet & Crumpets, an acclaimed afternoon tea catering company founded in 1990. Together they created memorable tea experiences that delighted guests and earned recognition in Victoria Magazine, Hunt Magazine, and Delaware Today. What began as a family business became the foundation for a lifelong passion.
When Barbara retired, Karen’s tea journey continued in a new direction. Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen her knowledge, she pursued formal tea education, earning her certification as a THAC Tea Sommelier Professional in Toronto in 2015. Today, with more than 30 years of experience in tea event planning, public speaking, and education, Karen’s mission is simple: to inspire a deeper appreciation for tea and help others discover the many ways it can enrich everyday life. Through Greenhalgh Tea, Karen creates experiences that bring tea to life. She designs tea menus for businesses, develops signature tea blends, shares tea and food pairings, and teaches engaging classes exploring tea’s history, culture, production, health benefits, and even its role in cooking. Under the Greenhalgh Tea label, she carefully curates premium loose-leaf teas with an emphasis on quality and sustainability. Karen writes for The Tea House Times and Sip magazine and continues to educate tea enthusiasts as an in-person instructor for The Tea and Herbal Association of Canada certified Tea Sommelier program. Because for Karen, tea has never simply been about what is in the cup—it is about the stories, traditions, and connections created around it.
When Barbara retired, Karen’s tea journey continued in a new direction. Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen her knowledge, she pursued formal tea education, earning her certification as a THAC Tea Sommelier Professional in Toronto in 2015. Today, with more than 30 years of experience in tea event planning, public speaking, and education, Karen’s mission is simple: to inspire a deeper appreciation for tea and help others discover the many ways it can enrich everyday life. Through Greenhalgh Tea, Karen creates experiences that bring tea to life. She designs tea menus for businesses, develops signature tea blends, shares tea and food pairings, and teaches engaging classes exploring tea’s history, culture, production, health benefits, and even its role in cooking. Under the Greenhalgh Tea label, she carefully curates premium loose-leaf teas with an emphasis on quality and sustainability. Karen writes for The Tea House Times and Sip magazine and continues to educate tea enthusiasts as an in-person instructor for The Tea and Herbal Association of Canada certified Tea Sommelier program. Because for Karen, tea has never simply been about what is in the cup—it is about the stories, traditions, and connections created around it.