Portland, renowned for its culinary excellence, finds its heartbeat in the visionary Katherine Harris—founder of Upper Left Roasters and True Tea. Opening Upper Left Roasters in 2016, Katherine revolutionized Portland’s coffee scene, delivering the finest beans and quality java. Now, with True Tea, she is redefining the city as a hub for premium, authentic teas. The collection is a global odyssey, with Katherine meticulously selecting farmers committed to chemical-free practices, authentic tea-making traditions, and sustainability. From the hills of India and Japan to the vibrant fields of Malawi, Taiwan, and Oregon, True Tea embodies a commitment to quality, sustainability, and authenticity.
In an exclusive interview, Katherine Harris shares the inspiration behind her ventures. Growing up in Portland’s food and beverage industry, she immersed herself in the world of specialty beverages, leading to the inception of Upper Left Roasters in 2015. True Tea, an extension of this journey, was born out of her passion for specialty tea and a desire to share exceptional teas globally. Katherine delves into the meticulous process of selecting tea suppliers, emphasizing relationships, community, and the paramount importance of tea quality. True Tea’s mission to connect consumers with small farmers worldwide is not just a business goal but a fundamental pillar, with tea education playing a pivotal role in creating awareness about the origins and stories behind each variety.
As the conversation unfolds, Katherine provides insights into staying innovative in the competitive beverage industry while staying true to values. She hints at upcoming projects, including private tea tastings in 2024 for Portland residents. Join us as we explore the world of True Tea, where every leaf, spice, petal, and person contributes to a storied collaboration celebrating nature’s bounty and the artistry of its cultivators.
1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting Upper Left Roasters and True Tea? What motivated you to enter the coffee and tea industry in Portland?
I grew up in the food and beverage industry in Portland and those childhood experiences heavily influenced me. I started Upper Left Roasters in 2015 and I immersed myself not only in specialty coffee, but specialty beverages, which led me to my curiosity for tea. I imported coffee with Upper Left Roasters so it felt like a natural progression to begin importing tea and True Tea was born.
2. True Tea is known for its unique collection of premium teas sourced from around the world. Could you share some insights into your process of selecting tea suppliers and the criteria you use to ensure sustainability and authenticity?
First and foremost, I value relationships and community. I want to work with people who I genuinely want to do business with and who I think are contributing to their respective communities in a productive and positive way. I know the first names of all of the farm owners who we work with directly.
Quality of the tea is also very important. Most of the multi-generational farms that I source tea directly from, are certified organic in their respective country. Most of the farms are small producers and specialize/experts in the tea/herb they’re growing.
3. In the competitive world of beverages, how do you stay innovative and keep True Tea relevant to consumers’ changing tastes and preferences?
I believe in staying true to your values and not wavering too far from your initial goals. I focus on sourcing teas that I personally enjoy. Trends come and go so it’s important that I source teas that will stand the test of time. Earl Grey isn’t going anywhere so let’s find the best Earl Grey anyone has ever tasted 🙂
4. True Tea is all about connecting consumers with small farmers worldwide. How do you bridge this gap and create awareness among your customers about the origins and stories behind the teas they enjoy?
Tea education is a True Tea company pillar. I offer private tea tastings with each new wholesale account where I share farm information, as well as, information sheets for the accounts to take home. I’ve spoken at several tea tasting events focused on tea education, including the origin stories. We provide tea farm information on our True Tea direct-to-consumer website, as well as, the True Tea wholesale website. I will also begin offering private tea tastings/education series to the public in the coming months.
5. Can you share any upcoming projects or plans for both Upper Left Roasters and True Tea that our readers can look forward to?
For readers located in Portland, OR, I will begin offering private tea tastings in 2024. The tea tastings will range between beginners who are interested in learning tea basics to more experienced tea drinkers who want to explore rare teas together. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow along on Instagram (@truetea.pdx) for updates!
6. Balancing a successful career and personal life can be challenging. How do you manage your time and find moments for self-care and relaxation?
To be completely frank, my initial answer in my head was, “I don’t.” I’m definitely a “yes” person since I don’t want to miss out on a potential business opportunity. I need to combine saying “no” more with delegating certain responsibilities that I know I don’t need to necessarily be doing. This would be a great follow-up interview question a year from now!
7. Can you share a memorable travel experience related to sourcing tea or coffee that left a lasting impact on you?
I visited the Nagatani Tea Factory in Uji, Japan in May 2023. I’ve been sourcing all of True Tea’s organic green teas from the Nagatani family since the beginning. I met three generations of the Nagatani family and the son, Yuta, was my guide. I drank tea from the Nagatani tea farm with Yuta in his family home and that moment is the reason I’ll be returning again in April 2024 to visit Yuta and his family.
8. What books, podcasts, or resources have been instrumental in shaping your knowledge and perspective on the coffee and tea industries?
Immersing myself in coffee and tea has been the best teacher.
It’s important that as a leader, no matter the industry, that you are responsible with your power and honing in the proper management skills to foster a healthy & thriving work environment is essential. So I focus on books that make me a better leader like: “The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging”, “The Four Agreements”, and “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”. As for podcasts, understanding the current global economic health helps me make more informed financial decisions; I listen to Prof G several days a week.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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