THE LI CHA STORY · TAIWAN, 2014
A hundred farms. Five hundred teas. One name.
Li Cha is the Taiwanese tea brand we import exclusively, born from one founder's search across the island for teas good enough to put his name on.
It began with a man walking tea farms.
In 2014, Li Cha's founder Ming set out across Taiwan with a simple, stubborn idea: if you want to build a tea brand worth its name, you start in the fields, not in a boardroom.
He visited more than a hundred tea farmers and tea gardens, from Sanxia to Nantou, including century-old family farms that have been perfecting their craft for generations. He tasted over five hundred teas before choosing the ones that would carry the Li Cha name.
Taiwan's old Portuguese name is Formosa, "the beautiful island." Ming's goal was to share what makes the island beautiful in a cup: real tea, grown by real farmers, at the quality Taiwan drinks itself rather than the export-grade leftovers.
Today, Boba Supply USA imports Li Cha directly from Taiwan to our warehouse in Livermore, California. No brokers, no resellers, no gray market. The same teas Ming chose, in the hands of American shop owners.
"Li" means a gift of respect.
In traditional Taiwanese culture, tea is more than a drink. It is given as a gift at life's most important moments, including the betrothal ceremony, where presenting fine tea is the first gesture of respect between two families. Li Cha, literally "gift tea," carries that idea forward: tea worthy of being offered to the people who matter. That's the standard behind every product wearing the name.
Why shops build their drinks on Li Cha.
Real leaves, real farms
Li Cha teas are sourced from the Taiwanese farms Ming selected personally, brewed strong enough to hold their character through milk, ice, and sugar.
Certified production
Li Cha products come from facilities holding FDA registration, HACCP certification, and SGS testing. See our certifications page for the details.
One importer, direct
Boba Supply USA is the exclusive US importer. Direct containers from Taiwan to Livermore mean consistent supply, honest pricing, and full traceability.
The proof is in the cup.
Order a few teas and toppings, brew them the way you would for a customer, and compare. That's how most of our wholesale accounts started.