ABOUT GREENHALGH TEA

Karen Donnelly, owner,  brings her passion for tea to life as a certified TAC Tea Sommelier Professional. With three decades of experience in afternoon tea event planning, speaking engagements, and teaching, Karen is dedicated to inspiring others to make tea a part of their daily routine.

Karen’s deep-rooted connection with tea began in collaboration with her mother, Barbara Greenhalgh. Together, they owned the highly successful afternoon tea off-site catering company, Croquet & Crumpets, which was founded in 1990. The excellence of their service was acknowledged through features in renowned publications such as Victoria Magazine, Hunt Magazine, and Delaware Today magazine.

Following her mother’s retirement,  Karen started her studies in 2013 to become a certified Tea Sommelier Professional.   She passed the certification exam in Toronto in April 2015.

As a tea advocate, Karen offers a range of services, including designing comprehensive tea menus for retail and food service establishments, promoting tea culture in hospitality settings, and crafting signature tea blends for cafes. She also provides training for restaurant staff, hosts tea and menu pairing events, and conducts engaging classes on tea, its history, and production styles.

Under the Greenhalgh Tea label, Karen meticulously sources select loose leaf teas and blends, prioritizing sustainability and quality. These hand-packed teas are available at the Orchard Tea Room and online, along with a curated selection of unique tea accessories.

In recent years, Karen’s dedication to tea has continued to shine through her roles as the writer for the Cuisine page in The Tea House Times and her regular contributions to Sip magazine. Moreover, she shares her extensive knowledge by teaching tea classes, both virtually and in the Thornton, PA area, and at the Orchard Tea Room.

Located within the charming vintage emporium, Rose Hip Barn, the Orchard Tea Room provides an intimate setting for tea enthusiasts. Open weekly and available for private events, the Tea Room offers a tranquil atmosphere, accommodating up to 28 guests indoors and additional seating outdoors under the apple trees.

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.

The  Greenhalgh name is recorded in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086. It appears as “Grenehalg” and “Grenehalch”  reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames and landownership in medieval England, including the presence of the Greenhalgh family in certain regions at that time.