From Leaf to Cup

Every cup of 2nd Heaven tea starts thousands of miles away, in the misty mountains of Taiwan. This is the story of how we source the ingredients that make our drinks special.

The Taiwan Connection

Our founders made their first trip to Taiwan in 2021, determined to find tea that would stand out. What they discovered changed everything.

Alishan Mountain Tea

The star of our menu comes from Alishan, where:

• Tea grows at 1,500+ meters elevation
• Morning mists create perfect humidity
• Slow growth = concentrated flavors
• Multi-generational farming families tend the crops

Our Sourcing Principles

Not all tea is created equal. Here's what we look for:

1. Single-origin estates — We know exactly where your tea comes from
2. Traditional processing — Sun-dried, hand-rolled, properly oxidized
3. Fair relationships — Our farmers are partners, not vendors
4. Sustainable practices — Organic when possible, responsible always

The Difference Quality Makes

You might wonder: does it really matter? Try this experiment:

Standard boba shop tea:
- Generic tea bags
- Unknown origin
- Over-processed

2nd Heaven tea:
- Whole loose leaf
- Single-origin Taiwanese
- Artisan processed

The difference isn't subtle. It's the reason people drive across town for our jasmine oolong.

What's Next

We're currently working on sourcing partnerships in:

• Japan for matcha
• Thailand for Thai tea leaves
• Vietnam for specialty coffee

Stay tuned for new menu items featuring these ingredients.

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Written by Marcus, our Chief Tea Officer (yes, that's a real title).