A Story That Begins in the Soil

At Heritage Leaves, we believe that the flavor of great tea begins in the life of the soil. Our family farm in Taiwan’s misty mountains isn’t certified organic, but we’ve always chosen to use organic fertilizers—including soybean meal and peanut shell compost—to enrich the land naturally.

This approach helps our tea bushes grow stronger, more resilient, and full of vitality. To show the difference, I took two photos this season from neighboring tea fields:

• The left photo (our Heritage Leaves field) shows lush, deep green leaves growing in balanced soil.
• The right photo (our neighbor’s field) shows thinner, lighter leaves grown with chemical fertilizers.

The difference is visible—and you can taste it in every cup.

Our Field: Nourished by Natural Fertilizers

In our photo, the tea plants are dense and full of energy. The soil looks rich, and the leaves shimmer with health.
That’s the result of feeding the soil—not just the plants.

Our blend of soy meal and peanut shell mill fertilizer slowly releases nutrients and encourages beneficial microbes that help:

• Strengthen roots and improve soil texture
• Retain moisture naturally
• Support a balanced ecosystem with fewer pests and diseases

This natural method allows the tea to grow steadily and develop deep, layered flavors

The Neighbor’s Field: The Effect of Chemical Fertilizers

In the second photo, the neighboring farm’s plants are noticeably different.

• The leaves are paler and thinner, with less shine.
• The bushes grow less densely, leaving more exposed soil.
• The soil itself looks drier and less lively.

Chemical fertilizers act quickly but can harm long-term soil health. They disrupt microbial balance and reduce organic matter, which over time weakens the natural vitality of the tea plants.

Taste: The Gift of Living Soil

Healthy soil creates better tea.

• Tea grown with organic fertilizer develops a smooth, round flavor with a naturally sweet aftertaste (hui gan, 回甘). The taste lingers gracefully, offering depth and a gentle floral aroma.
• Tea from chemically fertilized fields often tastes sharper, thinner, and lacks the same sweetness or complexity.

That sweet aftertaste you notice in our oolong isn’t added flavor—it’s the taste of well-nourished soil and patient cultivation.

Our Philosophy: Respect for the Land, Respect for Taste

We don’t chase certification labels; we chase quality. Our family’s philosophy has always been about working with nature, not against it.

By using organic fertilizers—made from plant-based materials like soy and peanut shells—we enrich the soil without chemicals and protect the surrounding mountain environment.

Every leaf of Heritage Leaves Oolong reflects that care:

• Grown with natural fertilizers and pesticide-free methods
• Hand-harvested on family land in Taiwan’s high mountains
• Crafted to reveal a clean, sweet aftertaste that lingers with every sip

Because when the soil is alive, the tea sings with life.

Heritage Leaves invites you to slow down and taste the quiet of the mountains.
From Nantou, Taiwan — sip your calm, one cup at a time.