The Origins of Our Tea

We believe exceptional tea begins with exceptional origins. Just as terroir shapes the character of fine wine, the environment in which tea is grown influences its aroma, flavour, and complexity.

At SingularLeaf, we carefully source our teas from some of the most renowned tea-growing regions of Taiwan and, in the case of Pu-erh, from Yunnan Province in China. Each location has been selected for its unique climate, altitude, soil composition, and centuries-old tea-making traditions.

From the mist-covered peaks of Alishan and Lishan to the tranquil shores of Sun Moon Lake, each region contributes its own distinctive character to the teas in your cup. We invite you to discover the places, traditions, and natural environments that make Taiwanese tea among the finest in the world.

Sunset over Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan, renowned for producing Ruby Black Tea and other exceptional teas.

Nantou

Sun Moon Lake

Nantou is the only county in Taiwan that does not border the sea. Characterised by rolling hills, dramatic mountain landscapes, and a mild climate with average temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, it provides ideal conditions for tea cultivation.

Near the town of Yuchi lies the famous Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan's most celebrated destinations. This unique area is home to the renowned Ruby Black Tea, a cultivar developed through nearly fifty years of selective breeding.

Situated at an altitude of approximately 748 metres, the lake creates a distinctive microclimate that is perfectly suited to producing teas of exceptional quality. The black teas from Sun Moon Lake possess a character and depth unlike those of India or Ceylon, making them truly unique.

Tea gardens in Dong Ding, Nantou County, birthplace of Taiwan's famous Dong Ding Oolong tea.

Nantou

Ren'ai Township

Ren'ai is one of Taiwan's least populated regions and remains largely untouched by heavy industry. Although the average elevation is around 1,200 metres, the area is surrounded by towering mountain peaks.

The cool temperatures, abundant natural springs, waterfalls, and frequent mountain mists create an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Tea bushes grow slowly under these conditions, producing fewer harvests each season but developing leaves rich in flavour, aroma, and valuable nutrients.

The steep terrain makes cultivation challenging, which is why high-mountain teas from Ren'ai are considered among the finest achievements of Taiwanese tea craftsmanship.

Tea bushes overlooking the dramatic mountain valleys of Lishan, home to some of Taiwan's highest tea plantations.

Nantou

Mount Alishan

Mount Alishan is world-famous for its legendary high-mountain oolong teas. The surrounding region contains numerous tea-growing areas and is also one of Taiwan's most popular tourist destinations, celebrated for its pristine forests, breathtaking landscapes, and fresh mountain air.

Tea gardens here are situated at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,300 metres. The high-altitude environment provides exceptionally pure air, unspoiled soil, and crystal-clear spring water, creating ideal conditions for producing elegant and aromatic oolong teas.

Mist-covered tea fields in Ren'ai Township, where cool temperatures and mountain fog create ideal tea-growing conditions.

Nantou

Mount Lishan

Lishan, often known as Pear Mountain, forms part of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range and is home to some of the highest tea plantations on the island.

Tea gardens here are located between 1,800 and 2,650 metres above sea level, where specially selected cultivars of Camellia sinensis thrive in cool temperatures and consistently high humidity. Some of the highest plantations even experience snowfall during winter, while spring harvests are gathered in refreshingly cool conditions.

Because tea leaves grow slowly at these elevations, only two harvests are typically possible each year. The result is a tea renowned for its extraordinary purity, complexity, and refinement.

Snow-covered tea bushes on Snow Mountain, one of Taiwan's highest and most prestigious tea-growing regions.

Nantou

Dong Ding

Dong Ding, meaning "Frozen Summit", is located in the heart of Nantou and is considered the birthplace of one of Taiwan's most iconic teas - Dong Ding Oolong.

According to local history, around 1885 a Taiwanese scholar named Lin Fengchi returned from studies in China carrying 36 tea plants as gifts for those who had supported his education. These plants were cultivated on Dong Ding Mountain and eventually gave rise to the famous tea that bears its name.

At approximately 750 metres above sea level, the mountain enjoys warm sunshine during the morning and gentle afternoon mists, creating ideal growing conditions. The resulting tea is renowned for its smooth texture, floral aroma, and remarkable balance. Dong Ding Oolong has repeatedly been recognised as one of Taiwan's finest teas and remains a source of national pride.

Sea of clouds at sunrise above the mountains of Ren'ai Township, Nantou County, Taiwan.

Xueshan

Snow Mountain

Snow Mountain is Taiwan's second-highest peak and one of the tallest mountains in East Asia, reaching an elevation of 3,886 metres within Shei-Pa National Park.

Tea cultivation began on its slopes during the nineteenth century, and over time the remarkable oolong produced here became closely associated with the mountain itself. The tea gardens sit at approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, making them among the highest tea plantations in the world.

The combination of extreme altitude, cool temperatures, and carefully managed cultivation results in teas of exceptional quality and consistency. For many tea connoisseurs, Snow Mountain represents the pinnacle of high-mountain tea production.

High-mountain tea plantations in Lishan, Taiwan, surrounded by forested peaks and pristine mountain landscapes.

New Taipei

Sanxia

Sanxia is located in the southeastern part of the Taipei region and contains two principal tea-producing areas.

The southwestern district primarily produces commercial-grade teas, while the northeastern district is known for premium handcrafted teas. It is here that the celebrated Baozhong Oolong is produced.

Baozhong's distinctive elongated leaf shape originates from traditional hand-rolling techniques brought to Taiwan by settlers from China's Fujian Province. These centuries-old methods continue to define the character of this elegant and aromatic tea.

Terraced tea gardens on the slopes of Alishan Mountain, one of Taiwan's most renowned high-mountain tea regions.

New Taipei

Yonghe

New Taipei City surrounds Taiwan's capital, Taipei, and despite its urban development, still contains many important agricultural areas.

The surrounding mountains create a cool, humid climate with abundant rainfall, while the fertile soil is rich in organic matter. These conditions have supported tea cultivation since the Qing Dynasty, when tea plants were first introduced from Fujian Province.

Today, traditional tea-making knowledge is combined with modern processing techniques, producing a wide range of distinctive and highly aromatic teas unique to the region.