About Us
Meet Heather
“The Tea Diplomat”
UppiTea Experience Founder & Tea Sommelier, Heather Thornton
A native of Northern Virginia, Heather Thornton is a communications strategist, public service professional, and a certified Tea Sommelier through the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada.
Heather’s love of tea is deeply rooted in her rich experiences at home and abroad. Some of her fondest moments include sipping her grandmother’s sweet tea during scorching summers in the South, savoring countless cups of masala chai as a student in India, and experimenting with cocoa tea in the beautiful Spice Isle of Grenada.
Her professional journey spans seven countries, with work across government, education, and the arts. From serving as a U.S. diplomat, to an elected school board member, to a Peace Corps Volunteer, Heather has always been drawn to the power of service and meaningful connection. To her, tea, is one of the most elegant forms of both.
Through the UppiTea Experience, Heather invites others to be a little uppity - the desirable quality of being unapologetic about our love of tea, cultural connection, and learning simply for the joy of it. She’s passionate about sharing tea knowledge, curating memorable experiences, and spotlighting ethical brands that are positively contributing to the tea industry.
VISION
To inspire curiosity, connection, and cultural exploration through tea.
MISSION
To make tea education approachable through thoughtfully curated experiences.
Supporting Ethical Tea Brands
Here’s a snapshot of some of our specially curated tea brand partners. They provide most of the teas for our experiences.
Each one cares about the ideal of a tea industry that honors culture, champions fairness, and upholds human rights - just like us.
And of course, their teas are top notch.
Teaism
Carytown Teas
ASAMI Naturals
iTeaworld
Blossom & Brew
Words to cherish.
“Make a ritual out of drinking your tea. Stop work and look deeply into your tea to see everything that went into making it: the clouds and the rain, the tea plantations and the workers harvesting the tea. Cultivate your gratitude by appreciating all the love and hard work that went into bringing your tea to you. Savor this moment of enjoying your tea.”
-Thích Nhất Hạnh, Vietnamese monk and peace activist