Generational Story
For more than a century, my father’s side of the family has lived in rhythm with the land. In the rolling hills of central Taiwan, our roots trace back through over 100 years of agricultural life. My great-grandparents and grandparents worked tirelessly, growing rice, bamboo, corn, peanuts, and even operating a soybean oil mill. Farming was not just a livelihood; it was a way of life that taught patience, respect for nature, and the value of hard work passed from one generation to the next.
Among all these crops, tea was always present—an everyday ritual, a neighborly gift, a symbol of hospitality. Over time, our family began to see tea not only as a crop, but as a legacy. The skills of cultivation and processing were handed down, season by season, leaf by leaf, until tea became our central craft.
Evolution of the Farm
As Taiwan modernized, so did our family’s vision. Farming staples like rice and peanuts had always been essential, but the tea mountains offered something unique: stability, quality, and a product that carried stories in every sip. Oolong tea, in particular, stood out. Its complexity, fragrance, and ability to reflect the terroir of high-mountain soil captured the attention of tea drinkers near and far.
Our family made the deliberate choice to focus on tea farming, refining every step of the process—from careful plucking at just the right season, to traditional methods of withering, rolling, and roasting perfected over decades. Today, our farm stands as a living example of this evolution: from diverse crops for survival, to a specialized craft that honors both tradition and innovation.
What It Means for Modern Tea Drinkers
For modern tea drinkers, each cup of our oolong tea represents more than flavor—it represents continuity. Behind its floral aroma and smooth, layered taste lies a story of generations who worked the soil, adapted to change, and chose to preserve a cultural treasure.
When you brew oolong tea from our farm, you’re not just enjoying a beverage; you’re sharing in a heritage. It is the taste of resilience, of family dedication, and of Taiwan’s agricultural artistry. In today’s fast paced world, this connection offers something deeply grounding: a reminder that some things are still crafted slowly, with care, and meant to be savored.
At Heritage Leaves, we carry this legacy forward. Every package of oolong tea is an invitation—to pause, to taste, and to join our family story that began over a century ago in the fields of Taiwan.
