---
title: "Our Story"
description: "The story of Leaf & Spirit - forty generations of Chinese tea craft, from the misty cliffs of Wuyi to a tea house in Phuket. Discover our journey, our regions and our philosophy."
canonical_url: https://leafspirit.store/about
lang: en
last_updated: 2026-07-27
site: Leaf & Spirit - Chinese tea house in Phuket, Thailand
---
# Our Story

> In the mist-draped mountains of ancient China, a leaf fell into water - and the world was never the same.

Leaf & Spirit was born from a shared belief that tea is more than a drink - it is a way to slow down, connect and bring people together.
At the heart of our story is our tea master Wang Mengyu - Ms. Judy to our guests - from Yunnan, China, the birthplace of Pu-erh tea. A 7th-generation tea maker with more than 20 years of experience, certified Senior Tea Master by the Yunnan Tea Industry Association (2010) and China Level 2 Tea Maker (2017), she carries forward generations of knowledge, tradition and respect for the art of tea. Drawing on this heritage, she carefully selects exceptional teas and creates unique blends using natural flowers, fruits and traditional ingredients.
We work directly with tea producers in China and Northern Thailand, sourcing teas from their places of origin and choosing them for their quality, character and story. Every tea in our collection reflects our commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship and natural ingredients.
Today, Leaf & Spirit is more than a tea shop. It is a place where tea culture comes to life through tea ceremonies, tastings, workshops and meaningful conversations. Whether you are discovering tea for the first time or deepening an existing passion, we invite you to slow down, share a cup and experience the beauty of tea

## Chapter I - Where Clouds Touch the Earth

In the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, where cliffs rise through the mist, tea trees have grown for over a thousand years.
Buddhist monks first cultivated Camellia sinensis in the crevices of these cliffs. Mineral soil, perpetual mist, sharp day-night swings - a terroir impossible to replicate.

## Chapter II - Forty Generations of Mastery

Gong Fu Cha - “making tea with skill” - is not merely brewing. It is meditation, hospitality, and artistry distilled into every movement.
Each step is guided by intuition honed through generations. The withering must happen in the cool mountain air. The rolling must break the cell walls just so, releasing the enzymes that create complex flavors.
1. Withering
2. Rolling
3. Oxidizing
4. Drying
5. Aging

## Chapter III - Three Sacred Mountains

We source directly from families who have tended these gardens for centuries, working in harmony with nature rather than against it.

- **Wuyi Mountains** - Fujian Province - birthplace of rock tea (Yan Cha). Volcanic cliffs, mineral-rich soil. Home to Da Hong Pao and Lapsang Souchong. UNESCO World Heritage.
- **Jingmai Mountain** - Yunnan Province - ancient tea forests cultivated by the Blang and Dai peoples for over a millennium. Home to the world’s oldest tea trees, some over 1,000 years.
- **Anji County** - Zhejiang Province - favored by Emperor Huizong. Cool climate, bamboo forests. Source of the legendary Anji Bai Cha, with leaves the color of white jade.
- **Phoenix Mountain** - Guangdong Province - birthplace of Dancong oolong. Single-bush cultivation, where each tree produces a unique flavor profile passed down through generations.

## Chapter IV - More Than a Drink

In Chinese culture, tea is not consumed - it is experienced. Every cup is an opportunity to slow down, to breathe, to connect.

- **Private Gong Fu Cha ceremony** - Private tea tasting at your venue (3500 THB)
- **Tea Ceremony at Leaf & Spirit** - Led by tea master Ms. Judy (2000 THB)
- **Curated Tea Gifts** - Beautifully curated tea gift for every occasion (Custom)
- **Corporate Events** - For hotels & retreats (Custom)

## Independent review

> "quiet, welcoming and unhurried - the kind of place where you come to discover real tea and unexpectedly stay much longer" - [Phuket Insider](https://phuket-insider.com/en/blog/leaf-spirit-real-chinese-tea-in-phuket/)

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---

Contact: WhatsApp https://wa.me/66829896048 · LINE https://lin.ee/NAgjG2p · info@leafspirit.store · 101 Cherng Talay Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand · Open daily 10:00-18:30 (Phuket time). AI agent site guide: https://leafspirit.store/llms.txt · Machine-readable price list: https://leafspirit.store/prices.md