James Harris

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The Botanical Brothers

I didn’t set out to start a tea business. I started with curiosity and a habit of tinkering: drying herbs, experimenting with flavour, and paying attention to how plants make people feel. But a big turning point for me was giving up alcohol. I still wanted something that felt special at the end of the day or when you’re out with friends, not just a glass of soda or another sugary drink. That challenge sent me down a rabbit hole of botanicals, balance and ritual, figuring out how to create non-alcoholic alternatives that have the same sense of occasion.The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the craft. There was a moment early on when a friend tried one of my blends, paused, and said, “This tastes like a place.” That’s when it clicked for me. Tea isn’t just a drink. It’s a story, memory and care in a cup, and it can be every bit as grown-up and interesting as a cocktail.That passion became The Botanical Brothers, which I co-founded to celebrate real ingredients and honest flavour. I’m obsessed with the details: how a leaf is cut, how a flower is dried, how a blend changes when you shift one element by just a gram. I also love the relationships behind it, the growers, the seasons, the small decisions that turn “nice” into “wow.”Teaching is the best part because it’s where the lightbulb moments happen. Watching someone smell their first fresh botanical, or finally understand why a blend tastes flat (and how to fix it), never gets old. My goal isn’t to make it intimidating or overly technical. I want you to feel confident, curious and proud of what you create, whether you’re blending a tea you’ll brew every morning or building something bold enough to replace your usual Friday-night drink.A few things people don’t always realise about blending: balance isn’t just taste; it’s aroma, texture and finish. And the “functional” herbs? They still need to taste good, or no one will actually drink them. In my workshops, you’ll learn how to build a blend from the ground up, taste like a professional, and leave with something you genuinely want to make at home.If you’re here because you love plants, flavour or the idea of making something beautiful with your hands, you’re in the right place.